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MFR 146: Six Reasons Every Runner Should Run Off Road

By Debbie Voiles

On and off-road miles are not equal. Off-road miles make you a better runner, make you more fit, and make you more sane.

A mile in the woods holds greater value than any on-road mile.

Running in the wild, produces startling results. It improves strength by engaging more muscles, especially the small muscles in the feet. It increases agility as each step is placed, avoiding roots or water or slippery spots, and it enhances proprioception as each step varies from the last, forcing constant split second communication between brain and muscles.

All this makes better runners. All this will translate into faster running and better form when running and racing on roads, but there is so much more.

At least as important as all the above is the mental pleasure of being out in the woods; it’s truly run therapy, and there was never a time when it was more needed than right now.

In this episode, I hope to convince you to give trail running a try; whether running or hiking, it’s worth it. Trust me.

Listen here.

Filed Under: mfr-podcast, Trail Running Tagged With: better form, faster runner, faster running, off-road miles, run therapy, trail running

A Guide to Running Etiquette

By Debbie Voiles

Etiquette for running on roads, tracks, and in racesThis is not about which fork to use at your running club’s next social or how to make an introduction.

I did, however, go to charm school when I was a teenager; it was called Wendy Warm Charm School. We walked around with books on our heads and learned how to put on lipstick. After the basic class, my mom even enrolled me in the advanced class. I guess I was still a little rough.  

No, really, I do know this stuff, not because I learned it in a class but because I’ve been running for 29 years. You pick up a lot in 29  years. Believe, me, taking a few minutes, now, to learn running etiquette, will be appreciated by every other runner you ever know. Make it a point to learn and apply these rules of the running road and to mentor newer runners, which will save them embarrassment and keep everything running smoothly and safely. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Running Groups, Trail Running, Training Tagged With: cutting the tangents, every runner, faster runner, group of runners, group runs, on the track, race bibs, race etiquette, running ettiquette, running with a dog, slower runners, track etiquette, trail hog, water drops

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