As our waist sizes increase and our rear-ends flatten under the weight of a sedentary body, you’d think that the existence of endurance/ultra sports would be threatened.  Apparently, sitting like a lump on a log is only a fraction of the story and demands further scrutiny.  It is true that most Americans do not participate in endurance sports, however, it is also valid that most endurance athletes spend ... Read More

Americans are obsessed with status, acknowledgment/approval, comfort and excess. Acknowledgment isn’t limited to Americans, that is a very human motivation and a colossal incentive for progress. Status and excess are also desired by other peoples, though it is typical of American culture and something that we are defined by. It then isn’t a surprise that Americans are becoming more and more interested in running farther and farther. Ultra-running ... Read More

Caffeine is one of the oldest and most accessible performance enhancing aids. It is a metabolic stimulant that affects the central nervous system and decreases the perception of fatigue; studies suggest that caffeine may even enhance muscle contractions. Fat is known to slow sugar absorption and digestion, allowing you to feel satiated longer and have stable energy release instead of a spike. A benefit of caffeine is that ... Read More

How many of you neglect to eat and hydrate adequately during or after a run? How many of you simply forget to drink your sports solutions and sip water at aid stations? Hydration and fuel for your event are fundamental concepts, yet they are often discounted or repudiated. The key to optimal performance and adaptation to training is proper nutrition. For both athletes and couch potatoes, balanced diets ... Read More

Animals didn’t develop to consider long-term consequences and long-term planning even though it may be written in our DNA to behave in ways that will secure a future existence.  We have to remind ourselves that we are animals and we act according to an ethical code and to the hormonal ebb and flow within our bodies.  Impulse control is something that needs to be learned and practiced–we are ... Read More