Two-To-Three of Six, Huh?

The Five Worst Habits of Runners
Mackenzie Lobby/MapMyRun blog, July 25 2017


Research suggests that 37–56% of runners end up with an injury each year. If you’re a runner, this statistic probably doesn’t surprise you because you’ve probably been hurt before.
But running and injury don’t have to go hand in hand.
Many sport-specific ailments are avoidable with a careful and calculated training routine. The first rule of thumb: The plan you follow should be tailored to your individual needs as a runner. What works for your running buddy may not work for you.
But beyond picking the right race-prep plan, you can increase your risk for injury if you neglect certain preventative measures. Here are the top-five worst habits the majority of runners are guilty of, and the research-backed reasons you should stop doing these things if you want to run injury-free for months and years to come...
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Outside: And I Get Grouchy

The Five Things That Happen to Your Body When You Quit Working Out
The good news? They're all pretty simple to reverse—or prevent entirely.
Dan Roe/Outside May 1, 2017

When a planned rest day turns into a rest week or a nagging injury keeps you out of the game for longer than anticipated, you expect a little guilt over dropping your exercise habit. But we consulted the experts to break down what happens when workouts grind to a halt and what they have to say may surprise you. It's okay to take time off, but there are physiological changes that you should be aware of. The good news: while some gains do vanish overnight, most are reversible or don't take much effort to maintain...

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Outside: Hitchhiker's Guide to Race Day

The Anxious Competitor's Guide to Staying Calm 
We've got you covered from the start of your training to the moment the gun goes off 
Rachael Schultz/Outside/Apr 21, 2017

Similar to how you meticulously plan your increase in miles or speed, it’s critical that you develop a routine to help your mind productively transition into race mode. Doing so gradually lets your mind adjust to the fact that a competition is on the horizon and fight off the inevitable anxiety that’s headed your way. “When it comes to the mental component of a competition, it’s very rare for an athlete to be able to switch it on like a light switch,” says Joel Fish, director of the Center for Sport Psychology in Philadelphia. “Most athletes need a pattern of routine that helps the body and the mind signal that it’s getting time to compete, habits that note the countdown is getting closer to actual race day.” 

Here’s what that pattern should look like...

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