Women's Running Magazine

Thomas Miller, Ph.D., explains how to refine your running technique.

Improving your running technique even a fraction of a percent per stride can have a huge effect on your ability to run faster/longer, recover faster, have fewer injuries, and enjoy your running even more. Think about how many thousands of strides you take while you run. Small steps to improve your form can have a tremendous influence on your performance. I suggest rather than changing your technique, work on refining your biomechanical running skills.

Make over your diet with these must-have foods for female runners.

The most recent slew of studies suggests that what you toss in your grocery cart can improve performance, prevent injury and bestow various health benefits. And certain foods can do all this while meeting the unique nutrition needs of women runners. We chewed our way through the supermarket to suss out foods that should be a staple on every woman runner’s menu.

How to stay motivated during months of training for a successful race day.

Running is both a physical and motivational challenge—requiring fitness, endurance and a solid plan of action. For many of us, the hardest part isn’t preparing our bodies for the race, but rather staying committed to months of training. The following advice will help you maneuver around those motivational roadblocks you’re sure to encounter leading up to race day.

Setting Goals  

According to Paige Dunn, a sport psychology consultant based in the San Francisco Bay area, it is important to understand exactly what motivates you to train for a particular race in the first place.

Perhaps you overcame an obstacle in your life or are in the process of doing so. Maybe completing a marathon has been a lifelong dream or you want to support your favorite charity. No matter the reason, a solid understanding of why you want to run will motivate you even when times get tough. Proper goal setting is the foundation of motivation, Dunn says.