2016 JFK 50 Mile Race Recap. Oops, I did it again …

by Running Dad | Nov 25, 2016 | Featured, Race Reviews

My exact words last year when I wrote about my first Ultramarathon experience, the JFK 50 Miler in Boonsboro, Maryland were:

“Such a terrible idea.”

I reiterated those sentiments several times in the article. See for yourself: http://www.runningdad.com/30-past-races/jfk-50-race-recap/

Somehow, though, those words did not sink in and I ended up back in Boonsboro this year for the 54th Annual JFK 50.

Short memory?

Glutton for punishment?

Looking for redemption?

Agreeable drunk?
(more…)

‘Tis Almost Treadmill Season. Get the Most Out of Your Treadmill Workout

by Running Dad | Nov 11, 2016 | Featured, Running Tips

Days are growing shorter. Temperatures are dropping. Running outside is not as fun as it was just a few weeks ago. For most runners, that means running less, or taking their running indoors. I try and run outside as much as I can. Icy roads and bitter cold can force even the toughest runner inside to do their workouts on a treadmill. You can still get a great workout without the stimulation of the great outdoors. Check out these great tips and ideas from Fix.com. AND DON’T FORGET to use the safety tether. I have scars on my shins from a nasty spill a few years ago. (more…)

The Great Stroller Showdown – Neff vs. Wardian

by Running Dad | Oct 14, 2016 | Featured, Running Dad Interviews

Calum Neff tackles the Toronto Waterfront Marathon this weekend, attempting to break fellow Running Dad, Mike Wardian’s, World Record for pushing a stroller the 26.2 miles. The time to beat is 2:42:21. Cal currently holds the record for fastest half marathon while pushing a stroller.

GO CAL ( and Alessandra)!

You can learn more about this record breaking attempt at Cal’s website – www.neff.run – and he will be live streaming the event on his Facebook page.

Below are the Running Dad Interviews for both Mike and Cal.

From a recent press release:

Calum has run 2:22 in the marathon (without a stroller), was a collegiate runner at the University of Houston, and has many impressive results to his name from one mile to ultra-marathons (distances greater than 26.2 miles typically covered over mountainous trails).

Neff says, “My family and I are really looking forward to being in Toronto for the marathon, it’s a place my wife and I both call “home base” throughout our lives with lots of family in the area. We are dedicating this race to my wife’s mother, Judy Kozak, who is currently undergoing treatment in Toronto with her third round of cancer. Being with family over the Canadian Thanksgiving is the most important thing right now. At the end of the week Aley and I are excited to tour Toronto with the stroller, we’ve enjoyed the journey in training together as its been such a good bonding experience for us. My kids really do love their stroller runs and to immerse her in a world class event on the heels of Canada’s best distance runners at her age will be something she will never forget. Training has been up and down with various sicknesses, which are expected with kids, in the last two weeks around our house and a pesky calf muscle but based on our latest runs we have a good shot at the record.” FULL PRESS RELEASE

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Wineglass Marathon 2016 – Race Recap

by Running Dad | Oct 7, 2016 | Featured, Race Reviews

Corning, New York, is home to the fun and friendly Wineglass Marathon. This quaint and charming town has played host to thousands of runners chasing their marathon dreams for the past 35 years. This point-to-point race starts in Bath, New York, and winds through farmland and the small communities surrounding Corning. Located in the New York Finger Lakes Region, this fall marathon provides a backdrop of changing leaves and beautiful countryside. An overall net downhill course, Wineglass has become a favorite for first-time marathoners, runners seeking a new personal best time, and that elusive BQ (Boston Qualifying marathon time). The peaceful setting and laid back atmosphere takes a lot of stress out of marathon weekend that you can face at some of the “bigger” marathons.

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Exciting News! Helping Babies and Their Families Since 2004

by Running Dad | Sep 1, 2016 | Featured, For Lucas

If you have been on the For Lucas Fund FirstGiving donation page, you will see we are right on the cusp of $25,000. I was very excited about this, so I reached out to UVa to see if we could do some joint marketing to take it to the next level. It turns out that not all of the donations received have been recorded to the FirstGiving page. We have currently over $32,000 raised for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit! WOW! Thank you to all that have helped along the way! It really means a lot to our entire family! (more…)

Running tip: Don’t sweat the race photos. Your form is not that bad (hopefully).

by Running Dad | May 31, 2016 | Featured, Running Tips

Photos don’t lie, but they can be misleading. An athlete who I train sent me a message saying that after she saw her photos from a recent race, she really needs to work on her running form. I looked at the photos and they did look like she was overextending her stride and heel striking. While a heel strike is not necessarily bad running form, the over extension, over striding is. But those photos don’t tell the whole story. If you watch videos of top runners, Meb Keflezighi for example, and freeze-frame it when his front foot is getting ready to hit the ground, it looks like he will heel strike, with his leg more extended than what it should be, out in front of his body. But in those milliseconds before impact, his foot completes the gait cycle and is squarely under his center of gravity, landing mid- to-forefoot.

To prove that photos can be misleading, see below.

This photo MAY look like I am pooping my pants, but in reality, I was just running hard and my shorts were totally safe.
dontpoop1

On the other hand, Shane was was not so fortunate. Sorry, buddy.

dontpoop2

Back on topic.

Since she was concerned, I gave her a couple things to work on during her easy runs. First was to slow down. If you are going too fast, you increase your chance of injury. Second was to increase her cadence. More steps per minute. What this does is shortens your stride and forces you to land more toward your center of gravity. Once you get used to doing this, it actually makes your easy runs feel easier, lighter on your feet, and less like you are pounding the pavement. A good way to check your cadence is to time yourself for one minute and count how many times your right foot hits the ground. Then multiply by two. That is your cadence. Use this as a baseline and see if you can increase it by a few steps each easy run for a few days until you find the cadence that feels just right. Third was to not worry about how her form looks on camera. Everyone runs different and a photo at the wrong time can exaggerate every little flaw in your running form.

Just smile, relax and run – even when there are no cameras pointed at you.