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1 week ago | 
marathonhandbook.com | Amby Burfoot
The Boston Marathon has changed dramatically in the last 30 to 40 years, but some things have remained the same–and that’s a good thing. Let’s call it tradition. The field is much bigger, the start time has moved from noon to mid-morning, there are far more female runners, footwear and fueling have made massive advances, and the digital revolution is everywhere present. On the other hand, the start, the finish, and the course remain essentially as they have been since 1897.
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1 week ago | 
marathonhandbook.com | Amby Burfoot
On Monday, April 21, I’ll be running the Boston Marathon 60 years after my first Boston in 1965. Since then, I’ve completed Boston another 27 times. That’s plenty of years to amass a sizable collection of bib numbers, shirts, jackets, medals, and other Boston Marathon swag. But you might be surprised to learn about my favorite Boston Marathon keepsake. It’s not my mini bib number from 1965, though I wish I had saved that cardboard rectangle. Nor is it any of my more recent bibs.
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2 weeks ago | 
marathonhandbook.com | Amby Burfoot
A trio of recent medical journal reports offer multiple assurances to veteran runners. The papers explore links between endurance training/racing and heart health. The subject has been top of mind for many runners since 1984 when famed book author Jim Fixx (The Complete Book of Running) died at age 52 while running on a rural road in Vermont.
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4 weeks ago | 
marathonhandbook.com | Amby Burfoot
At last year’s Boston Marathon, I ran like fetid cow manure. I mean, I stunk up the place. I should have known better. After all, I’ve finished more than two dozen Bostons. But, no. I ran like rotting kimchi. So dumb. The thing is, I had a plan. I figured that would be enough. No random, willy-nilly, brainless race for me. Because I had a solid race strategy. Or so I thought. In a moment I’ll tell you about my stupid race day. After all, I don’t want you to make the same mistake.
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1 month ago | 
marathonhandbook.com | Amby Burfoot
A new and surprising study has shown that taking “time off” from training could produce unexpectedly positive results. If followed by appropriate re-training, the time off won’t diminish your fitness as much as you might have imagined. It could even make you a better runner in several important ways. This unforeseen result increases what little we know about seasonal layoffs.
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1 month ago | 
marathonhandbook.com | Amby Burfoot
These days, every running fan is talking about the same thing: How are so many athletes running so fast at so many distances? World records seem to be dropping every weekend, from the 1-mile to ultramarathon distances. A few of them: Jakob Ingebrigtsen, indoor mile, 3:45.14; Grant Fisher, indoor 5,000, 12:44.09; Jacob Kiplimo, half marathon, 56:42; Ruth Chepngetich, marathon, 2:09:56. We all have our theories, prejudices or suspicions, but those have big limitations.
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2 months ago | 
marathonhandbook.com | Amby Burfoot
Jakob Kiplimo’s sensational world record half marathon (56:42) yesterday in Barcelona immediately recalled last year’s most incredible road performance–the 2:09:56 marathon that Ruth Chepngetich ran in Chicago. It also marks the starting line for discussions of his possible sub-two-hour marathon in London this April. Kiplimo, a 24-year-old Ugandan running prodigy, erased the previous half-marathon record of 57:30 set by Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha last October in the Valencia Half Marathon.
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2 months ago | 
medium.com | Amby Burfoot
Run Long, Run Healthy — January 30, 2025How to develop more biomechanics endurance; Focus on “functional” strength; The best intervals to run; When processed foods are healthyAmby Burfoot·FollowPublished inRunner's Life·12 min read·--Lift your feet quickly. Don’t run with an overstride and hard heel plant. Created with Ideogram.
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Jan 23, 2025 | 
medium.com | Amby Burfoot
Run Long, Run Healthy — January 23, 2025PLUS: How did Courtney Dauwalter get so damned good? The paradox of coronary plaque in runners; Can a low-carb diet sustain high endurance? Amby Burfoot·FollowPublished inRunner's Life·10 min read·--“Drafting” can make your training easier, faster, and more effective. Image created with Bing Image CreatorFriends: This week I want to let you know that I’ll be voluntarily leaving “Run Long, Run Healthy” in February.
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Jan 16, 2025 | 
medium.com | Amby Burfoot
Run Long, Run Healthy — January 16, 2025Beware super shoe risks; The perfect 30-minute workout; Does long-term running destroy your bones? The surprising future of robo runningAmby Burfoot·FollowPublished inRunner's Life·10 min read·--A new study has revealed marathon training secrets. Created with Ideogram. The Research-Based, Injury-Proof Running PlanMuch of our most interesting training information is buried in the hands of Strava, Garmin, and similar big-time “athlete tracking” companies.
