The 8 Best Open-Ear Headphones for Running
Runner’s World’s Jeff Dengate evaluated nine open‑ear headphone models to identify the best options for runners. Premium choices like the Bose Ultra Open deliver superior audio and a secure clip, but carry a high price and occasional Bluetooth glitches. Mid‑range models such as the Soundcore C40i and Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 balance affordability, comfort, and added features like EQ customization or hybrid bone‑conduction speakers. Specialized units—including the H2O Audio Tri 2 for triathletes and the Suunto Wing for families—expand the category with waterproofing and built‑in storage, rounding out a diverse market for safety‑focused, open‑ear audio.
‘Women Can Do This’: She Started Racing Postpartum in Her 30s. Now She’s an Ultrarunning Champion
Careth Arnold, a 36‑year‑old mother of two, has risen from a postpartum marathon debut in 2020 to become one of the world’s top ultrarunners. She captured the 2023 TDS Ultra title—the first American win since the race began—and posted a...
This Quick Test Reveals If Weak Calves Are Holding You Back From Faster Speeds
Runners can gauge calf strength with a five‑minute single‑leg heel‑raise test. Physical therapist Carla Foster and coach Donovan Stewart recommend 25‑30 reps as the benchmark for adequate lower‑body efficiency. Falling short signals the need for targeted calf and ancillary foot,...
The Best Editor-Approved Memorial Day Deals on Garmin, Coros, and Shokz: Get Hundreds Off Popular Gear for Runners
Runner’s World highlights Memorial Day discounts on top running tech, slashing prices on Garmin, Coros and Shokz gear ahead of the summer race season. The Garmin Forerunner 265 drops below $350, offering music storage, GPS navigation and advanced training metrics....
This Type of Training Could Be the Secret to Running Faster Without Burning Out—And It Can Lead to a PR...
Critical velocity (CV) training targets the fastest pace a runner can sustain for 30–35 minutes, roughly 4‑5% faster than lactate‑threshold effort. By operating just below the point where fatigue‑related by‑products overwhelm the body, CV improves lactate threshold, VO₂ max and running...
Struggling to Keep Easy Runs Easy? Here’s the Tool That Can Keep You Going at the Right Intensity
Keeping easy runs truly easy is essential for recovery and aerobic development, yet many runners struggle to stay in heart‑rate zone 2. The article recommends using a treadmill’s set‑it‑and‑forget‑it environment to lock in a steady pace without constant monitoring. Elite marathoner...
Training for Another Half Marathon? Avoid the Common Mistakes I Made So You Run a Faster Race.
The author completed her first half marathon in 3:01:27 and then set an ambitious sub‑2:30 target for a second race, only to discover the added speedwork and intensity caused burnout. Coaching insights from Whitney Heins and Donovan Stewart highlighted the...
The One Workout You Need to Boost Speed Endurance
Runner coach Brian Rosetti highlights cruise‑intervals—1‑kilometer repeats at threshold pace with brief jog recoveries—as the go‑to workout for boosting speed endurance. By inserting short rests, athletes can accumulate more threshold volume than a straight 20‑minute effort while staying comfortably hard....
The Benefits of Shakeout Runs
A shakeout run—an easy‑pace jog a day or two before a marathon—helps runners activate blood flow, neuromuscular pathways, and mental focus. Experts like NASM trainer Emily Booth stress that low‑intensity effort (RPE 3, heart‑rate zone 1‑2) primes muscles without depleting...
There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Marathon Training. Here’s How to Find Your Ideal Plan.
The article argues marathon training has no universal formula, emphasizing individualized weekly mileage and workout mix. It recounts a conversation among experienced runners exploring weekly volume ranging from 35 to 70 miles and the role of quality sessions versus doubles....
What Sleeping Position Yields Maximum Recovery for Runners?
Runners gain more recovery benefit from quality sleep than from any single sleeping posture, but side sleeping emerges as the most runner‑friendly position. Experts advise keeping the spine and hips in neutral alignment, often by placing a pillow between the...
As a Sports PT, I Strongly Recommend 3-Day-a-Week Marathon Training Plans. Here’s How They Get Busy Runners to a PR.
Sports physical therapist Ray Peralta promotes a three‑day‑a‑week marathon plan that blends high‑quality runs with cross‑training, strength work, and dedicated rest. He argues that limiting running to three sessions prevents overuse injuries and mental burnout while still delivering performance gains...
Front Squat Vs. Back Squat: Which Is Better for Your Running Goals?
Front and back squats each offer distinct advantages for runners, with back squats emphasizing the glutes, hamstrings, and posterior chain, while front squats target the quads and promote an upright torso. Experts advise using 80‑85% of a runner’s back‑squat 3‑rep...
Should You Change Your Form When Running on the Treadmill Vs. Outdoors?
Running form on a treadmill should mirror outdoor form, according to USATF‑certified coach Kai Ng and Olympian coach John Henwood. The only notable difference is a slightly more upright posture on the moving belt, which occurs naturally. Both coaches warn that runners...
The Best Marathon Pace Workouts to Get You Ready for Race Day
Marathon‑pace workouts are essential for runners aiming to hit target race times, teaching the body to sustain the specific speed needed for a sub‑four‑hour marathon (≈9:09 min/mile). Experts Julian Florez and Karen Dunn stress that the pace should feel like a...
A Tight Back Can Throw Off Your Form. These 5 Moves Decompress Your Spine So You Run Better.
Physical therapists Carla Foster and Leada Malek outline five simple moves that decompress the spine and improve running form. The routine targets common tightness from prolonged sitting, using tools like a lacrosse ball, foam roller, and dynamic stretches. They also...
A VO2 Max Test Can Reveal Your Untapped Potential. But When You Take It Is the Secret to Training Smarter.
A VO₂ max test provides a precise snapshot of an athlete’s cardiorespiratory capacity, informing personalized heart‑rate zones and training intensity. Experts recommend conducting the test at the very start of a training block to set a baseline, then retesting about...
These Glute Exercises for Knee Pain Keep You Running Strong
Nearly half of U.S. runners report injury each year, and knee problems account for 27% of those cases. Experts say weak glutes shift load to the quads, heightening knee stress. A five‑exercise glute circuit—standing kickback, hip abduction, donkey kick, lateral...
This Return-to-Running Plan Looks Almost Too Easy. That’s What Makes It So Effective.
The Omega Project’s 9‑step return‑to‑running plan uses a progressive run‑walk format to help athletes rebuild mileage after four‑plus weeks off. Physical therapists Brianne Scott and Jacob Travis stress starting with short intervals, conversational pace, and regular strength work to avoid...
What You Do on Non-Running Days Can Boost Your Speed and Endurance—If You Follow This Advice on How to Optimize...
The article outlines how runners can turn non‑running days into performance‑boosting assets by matching off‑day activities to their weekly mileage. Coaches recommend a mix of strength training, low‑impact cross‑training, and full rest, with specific templates for three‑, four‑, five‑ and...
The Warmup Hack You Need to Actually Hit Your Threshold Pace
Runner’s World highlights a simple warm‑up tweak that helps athletes lock into their threshold pace before interval sessions. Coach and Olympian Marius Bakken recommends adding a 3‑5‑minute threshold effort after a standard 10‑20‑minute jog to gauge readiness. Based on heart‑rate...
I Used to Dread Long Runs. Now I Swear by These 4 Tricks That Make the Time Fly.
Runner Michael McDonough shares four strategies he uses to make long runs more enjoyable: mental exercises, music making, spoken‑word audio, and socializing. Each method receives a personal grade, ranging from a C for pure mental focus to an A for...
This Is the Most Important Rule to Follow When Choosing a Marathon Training Plan
Choosing a marathon training plan hinges on matching the program to your current fitness, not on an ambitious target time. Coaches stress honest self‑assessment, recommending that long runs, weekly mileage, and workout frequency start at levels you’ve already managed. Recent...
The 7 Stretches Physical Therapists Wish Runners Would Do
Physical therapists outline seven targeted stretches to improve runners' mobility and reduce injury risk. The movements focus on the thoracic spine, quads, hip flexors, calves, big toe, hips, and rib cage, addressing common tightness zones. Each stretch includes a brief...
These 3 Glute Activation Exercises Made My Runs Feel Easier. I Wish I Started Doing Them Sooner.
Runner Heather Mayer Irvine added a three‑exercise glute activation routine prescribed by physical therapist Chloe Costigan. The eight‑minute circuit—donkey kicks, single‑leg glute bridges, and side‑plank hip lifts—was performed before runs for four weeks. She reports easier stride mechanics, improved pace...
Not Sure of Your Threshold Pace? This Is the Best Way to Find It, According to Research and Coaches
Running at threshold pace—often called lactate threshold or LT2—delivers the most efficient endurance gains, but only when the pace is spot‑on. Experts Kaitlyn Baird (Hospital for Special Surgery) and Gab Reznik (ToneHouse) argue that a 30‑minute time trial is the...
Tight Calves, Sore Quads? These Amazon Recovery Tools Help Runners Bounce Back
Popular Mechanics highlights a curated set of Amazon‑available recovery tools aimed at runners dealing with tight calves, sore quads, and post‑run fatigue. The lineup includes the TriggerPoint roller stick, Sunny Health stretch machine, foot massage ball, Trideer cork yoga blocks,...
The Runner’s World Guide to Running for Substance Use Disorder
Runner’s World released a guide showing how running can aid recovery from substance‑use disorders. The guide cites research that even a brief 10‑minute moderate run can blunt cravings by influencing dopamine and GABA pathways. It highlights three core benefits: acute...
The Runner’s World Guide to Running for Anxiety
Runner’s World released a guide outlining how running can alleviate anxiety and improve mental health. It cites scientific research, including a 2026 Frontiers in Psychiatry study showing 30‑second high‑intensity sprints outperform relaxation techniques for panic disorder. The guide features expert...
The Runner’s World Guide to Mental Health
Runner’s World+ has released a video guide titled “The Runner’s World Guide to Mental Health,” hosted by Olympic marathoner Deena Kastor and featuring experts such as Harvard psychiatrist John Ratey, mental‑performance consultant Lennie Waite, and social‑work therapist Dwayne Brown. The...
Long Runs, Small Problems: A SPIbelt Does the Heavy Lifting
The SPIbelt Monochromatic Pro is a slim, stretchy running belt that consolidates essentials like a phone, headphones, keys, energy gels, and a froyo punch card into a comfortable, low‑bounce package. Review author Cat Bowen highlights its breathable material, secure clasp,...
6 Signs of Weak Calves in Runners. Plus, the 3 Best Exercises to Strengthen Them.
Calf strength is crucial for runners, yet many suffer from weak gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, leading to injuries such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and knee pain. Physical therapists recommend using a single‑leg heel‑raise test—25 reps without wobble—as the benchmark...
I Finally Broke Through in the Marathon. These 3 Training Tweaks Made All the Difference.
Runner Ashley Tysiac achieved a new marathon personal record of 3:11 at the Jersey City Marathon, the fastest time since her 3:15 debut in 2023. She credits three specific training adjustments: focused lactate‑threshold workouts, truly easy recovery runs, and a...
How to Execute Sprint Workouts for Max Speed Gains
Running coaches from Hoka NAZ Elite and Movement & Miles stress that sprint workouts—brief 15‑to‑60‑second bursts—deliver outsized gains for distance runners. Alternating maximal‑effort repeats with ample rest (typically a 1:3–1:5 work‑to‑rest ratio) stimulates both anaerobic power and aerobic capacity, boosting...
How Do You Measure Body Fat Percentage?
Body fat percentage is a key health metric for runners, influencing energy storage, hormone function, and performance. Excess fat raises all‑cause and heart disease mortality, while too little can disrupt hormones and immunity. The article outlines five measurement methods—from affordable...
Want to Run a Faster Marathon? Here’s Exactly What You Need to Do to Execute a Speedier Finish
Running a marathon at elite speed forces profound cardiovascular, metabolic, muscular, and psychological adaptations that most recreational runners never experience. Elite athletes expand heart chambers, sustain 90% of VO₂ max for two‑plus hours, and operate near their lactate threshold, allowing them...
I’m a Psychologist and a Runner: When Returning to the Sport, This Is What’s Holding You Back the Most
Amber Nelson, a social‑psychology PhD and seasoned runner, explains that the biggest barrier to returning to running after a long break is mental, not physical. She identifies temporal self‑comparison—measuring current performance against past peak achievements—as a source of frustration that...
The Best Heart Rate Monitors Give You The Most Accurate Training Data
Heart‑rate monitors (HRMs) are essential tools for runners seeking data‑driven training, allowing athletes to target specific intensity zones and balance recovery. Exercise physiologist Alyssa Lombardi stresses that while zones—from easy Zone 1 to max Zone 5—guide workouts, day‑to‑day variables like heat, hydration...
I’m Done Scheduling My Runs Around Fear
A confrontational driver halted a night run, leaving the author fearful and prompting a shift to indoor treadmill workouts. The experience triggered seasonal affective disorder, deepening the reluctance to run after dark. By adopting LED safety gear and reframing night...
I Thought Skipping a Workout Would Set Me Back. It Actually Helped Me Return Stronger—Here’s Why.
Skipping a single workout rarely harms a runner’s fitness, according to exercise physiologists and recent research. A rest day can actually accelerate recovery, especially when minor pain or fatigue signals the body needs a break. measurable declines in cardiovascular capacity...
10 Tips for Planning the Perfect Runcation
Matthew Huff’s "10 Tips for Planning the Perfect Runcation" outlines how runners can turn races into vacation experiences. The piece cites the 2024 Global Running Survey, which found 37% of 7,400 respondents willing to travel over 500 miles for an event....
Next Time You Feel Off on an Easy Run, Use This Checklist to Determine the Cause
Easy runs can feel unusually hard due to several common factors. Runners’ coaches Kai Ng and Alex Morrow outline a seven‑point checklist covering effort level, recovery, nutrition, hydration, sleep, stress, and environmental conditions. They recommend practical actions such as maintaining...
8 Best Electrolyte Tablets, Chews, and Powders for Runners
Electrolyte supplementation is essential for runners who lose significant sodium and potassium through sweat. The article reviews eight top products—including tablets, chews, and powders—highlighting their sodium content, carbohydrate load, and convenience factors. Expert dietitian Matthew Kadey evaluates each option based...
This Is the Number-One Indicator You’ll Fall Off of Your Marathon Pace, Says a Veteran Pacer
Veteran marathon pacer Christine Rockey warns that heavy, panting breathing within the first mile is a reliable red flag that a runner will lose their goal pace, typically dropping off between miles 10 and 12. She links the symptom to...
Why Refurbished Garmin Watches Might Be the Best Option for Runners
Refurbished Garmin watches are emerging as a cost‑effective alternative for serious runners who value proven reliability over the latest bells and whistles. Major retailers like Amazon now sell certified‑refurbished Forerunner, Fenix and Instinct models that have been inspected for GPS...
How Much Time Should Runners Actually Spend Stretching?
The piece outlines how much stretching runners should do based on specific goals, recommending dynamic warm‑ups before runs and static cool‑downs after. For pain relief, it suggests 2–3 daily sessions; for expanding range of motion, 30–60 minutes per week; and...
3 Things No One Told Me About Running a Half Marathon That All First-Timers Should Know
Health editor Monique LeBrun recounts her first half‑marathon experience at the Bethlehem Running Festival in 2025. She highlights three unexpected factors—energetic crowd support, the impact of hill training for an 800‑foot climb, and the payoff of a disciplined training plan...
I’ve Been Running With the Apple Watch for 10 Years, but This One Feature Gave Me More Confidence for Race...
Apple’s Watch Pacer feature, introduced in watchOS 9 (2022), provides real‑time visual and audio cues to keep runners on target pace. Runner Jeff Dengate tested it while training for the London Marathon, noting that the green/red bar and Siri alerts helped...
‘I Kept Going’: How the Final Official Finisher of the Boston Marathon Motivated Herself to End Strong
Boston’s 130th marathon saw the Boston Athletic Association extend the official cutoff from 5:30 p.m. to 5:36 p.m. after the last wave started late. Carlie Siegel, who battled low‑glucose episodes and finished in 6:13:29, initially believed she missed the Six‑Star medal but...
A 2:09 Marathoner Trained on a Treadmill for 3 Months. Here Are His 5 Tips for Getting Faster Indoors.
Thomas Nobbs, a 26‑year‑old Canadian runner, spent three winter months logging roughly 130 miles per week on a gym treadmill after outdoor training became impossible. By replicating his outdoor routine—1% grade, effort‑based pacing, and varied interval work—he shaved three minutes...