Women's Running Magazine

D3 Multisport Head Coach Mike Ricci tells us what to look for in an online training program—and how to maximize results.

I’ve never followed an online training plan, how do they work? I’m also on a budget. How much do they cost?

Online training plans offer a variety of options to fit the needs of any runner, whether you are a beginner just starting out or an old pro preparing for your next marathon. With an online training program, you have the ability to customize a plan based on your schedule.

Amy Yoder-Begley won her first state track title in the 3200 meters as a sophomore at East Noble High School in Kendallville, Ind., in 1994. Two years later, she could barely run at all...

“I had no energy,” recalls the now- 30-year-old who represented the United States in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Marathon. “I had stomach aches, anemia, hypothyroidism, severe GI problems and dehydration during running and osteopenia.”

Unwanted weight gain can happen to even the most health-savvy women. A perfect storm of stress, eating on the go, pregnancy and age-related metabolic slowdown can gradually pile on extra pounds.

After years of self-described “insane workaholic behavior,” Columbia University associate professor Jenny Davidson experienced a gradual but significant weight gain. “The next thing I knew, I was 50 pounds overweight,” says Davidson. To lose weight, she skipped the fad diets and instead focused on exercise and a healthy eating plan. Her reward: She lost 80 pounds and is now an avid runner and triathlete.

Want to do something similar? You can with these 10 simple strategies.

Cut the mileage without sacrificing performance by adding cross-training to your routine.

If you want to improve your running next summer, try cross-training this winter. With next season’s most important races still months away, it’s the perfect time to reduce your mileage