Training

Monday marks the start of an 18-week training cycle for The Columbus Marathon! The start of a training cycle is exciting. Race registrations are being completed, goals are beginning to take shape, and the miles ahead are filled with possibilities. While many athletes view Week 1 as the beginning of training, successful race preparation actually starts […]

One of the cornerstones of successful training is routine. Consistency and pattern help us stay on track, making it easier to accumulate the days, weeks, and months of training that ultimately lead to progress. The challenge is that life does not always cooperate with our preferred schedule. Work commitments, family obligations, travel, weather, and race

Many runners and walkers consider the first day of a training plan the start of training. In reality, a successful training cycle begins well before day one. Think of building a house. The roof cannot be installed until the walls are built, and the walls cannot go up until a solid foundation is in place.

Running and walking in warmer temps changes the challenge completely. Heat and humidity place additional stress on the body even when your pace stays exactly the same. Every step we take creates heat through the energy required to move. On cooler days, the body can regulate its temperature more efficiently, which is why the same

One of the biggest misconceptions in running and walking is that success comes down to toughness alone. In reality, having the right gear can dramatically improve comfort, confidence, and consistency. Shoes are the foundation of every step you take, and the “best” shoe is not the most expensive or most popular model. The right shoe

Every runner and walker needs to come to grips with this early: training has ebbs and flows. Progress is rarely linear, and not every run is supposed to feel great. A single rough run does not mean your fitness is disappearing, your training is failing, or you have lost your capacity. Social media can make

Fitness isn’t built from one great workout. It’s built from a steady pattern of stress applied over time. The body adapts best when training is predictable and repeatable, not sporadic and extreme. The body has a physiologic threshold where there is an optimal training return for the effort invested. There’s no shortcut here. One hard

Each time we ramp up for a goal race, we follow a structured path that builds base fitness, layers in volume and intensity, and peaks at the right moment. The taper allows the body to absorb that work and prepare for race day. While not all race days give us the exact outcome we’d planned

There are many reasons we commit to regular running and walking, from improving physical health to supporting mental well-being, chasing personal goals, or simply enjoying the movement. Physiologically, these activities stimulate endorphins, which directly influence mood, which is why interruptions such as tapering, injury, or time away can leave us feeling off-balance. At the same

Training plans give us structure, purpose, and a steady rhythm. As you build toward race day, the workload increases, and so does the time and energy you invest. Then suddenly, it shifts. The taper arrives. Volume drops, intensity is controlled, and the routine that has anchored your weeks starts to feel different. As our volume