Blogs

New Year New You: 5 Foundational Tips

What better way to kick off the new year than by getting a new hobby or brushing up on your current technique? 

There’s a reason why running is one of the most popular sports in the world. Consistent running strengthens muscles, improves heart health, lowers blood pressure, releases happy hormones, and is a great way to get plugged into the community or charity causes. 

12 Perfect Gifts for Runners

The holidays are a joyous, and stressful time. 

There are flights to catch, parties to attend, houses to clean, trees to trim, and gifts to buy. And while admittedly we can’t help you with many of these — we CAN assist you in finding the perfect gift for the runner in your life! Check out our top 12 picks below: 

How Does It All Work?

Have you ever stopped to consider how chip timing actually works?  We get a lot of questions from runners and race directors alike regarding the technology and how it works.  For most, it just seems to work and they never really give it much though.  As a timer though, we have to spend a lot of time thinking about the technology and how to best deploy it.  The interesting thing is that many timers are in the same position as you.  They know how to set it up and capture times, but they don't really understand the technology behind it.  If you were to ask the

Preparing for Cold Weather Running - 6 Ways to Suffer Less

There’s no doubt about it, winter is on its way here - but that doesn’t have to mean the end or even slowing of your outdoor training! Check out these cold-weather tips to stay comfortable and competitive all year long. 

5 Reasons to Love Fall Running

Fall is a fan-favorite season for many reasons. Cold fronts bring stunning foliage changes, sweaters leave storage, harvest festivals multiply weekly, and an almost permanent scent of pumpkin spice hangs in the air. 

But cool nights and limited-edition lattes aren’t the only great thing about fall — it’s also the undisputed best season for running, and we have the fast facts to back it up! 

1. Fantastic Foliage: 

Ready, Set, Snack: 6 Easy Homemade Energy Bars

Not many things are better than snacks. 

Unexpected pocket cash, cute cat videos, and a good run all come close, but arguably none can triumph over treats. So preheat your oven, strap on an apron, and check out our favorite healthy and simple 5-star energy bars to restock your pantry!

 

1. No-Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars

6 Hot-Weather Hacks

It’s hot, heatwaves are rising from the pavement, humidity is off the charts, and you’re running. 

Why are you running? 

You may wonder this, mid-footfall, wading through the atmospheric soup of summer, but frankly it’s the wrong question. The right question is “How can I run better … or at least less miserably in this heat?” The answer? Our Hot Weather Running Hacks below! 

1. Be Patient: 

Packet Pickup Best Practice

One of the biggest questions we get from new race directors is how to handle packet pickup.  If you have done multiple races, then you probably have a preferred method to handle packet pickup.  The way that it is handled can vary from race to race and depends on several factors; number of volunteers available, number of participants, time available for pickup, technology.  The goal of course is to move the pickup line as quickly as possible so that there is no delay in starting the event.

7 Tips to Surviving Your First Marathon

You’ve made it! You put in the time and training for your first marathon and the day is finally here. But before the adrenaline-fueled start, take a moment to review these quick tips to ensure that the big event is a fun first instead of a stressful last.

1. Limit Mental Fatigue

The 7 Best Carbs for Fuel

There once were three bears that lived in the woods. They loved porridge — a complex carb — but apparently weren’t very good at making it. 

How does this story end? In tragedy, with two bowls of porridge gone to waste and Goldilocks running for her life on an assumedly over-full stomach. Terrible. With a little foresight this crisis could have easily been averted, which is exactly why we’re here.