Every type of runner rolls or twists their ankle at sometime or another, but trail runners are especially susceptible to ankle injuries.  Rocks, roots, shrubs, and uneven terrain can lead to devastating ankle injuries which can only be cured by rest; not cool for trail runners.  Also, runners who are new to minimalist running should use ankle exercises before starting in their minimalist running shoes to ease the transition.  Minimalist runners sustain  more of an impact on their ankles than running in traditional running shoes.  There are exercises that can be done to strengthen ankles to avoid injuries while trail running or minimalist running, here are some that you can practice:

1.  Walk 40 steps on the balls of your feet with your toes turned inward.  Then walk 40 steps backward with your toes turned inward.  This will help strengthen both the muscles on the outside of the upper ankle along with the muscles on the top the foot.  This can also be done while riding a stationary bike.  Simply pedal on the balls of your feet while inverting your toes slightly.

2.  Walk backwards.  Obviously do this in an open, grassy area or on a track to avoid tripping over something; and hurting your ankles rather than strengthening them.  This exercise strengthens the muscles behind the ankle, and the calf muscles for an added bonus.

3. Rotate ankles 25 times clockwise and then 25 times counterclockwise.  This is a good exercise because it can be done anytime of the day.  This exercise strengthens the superior and interior extensor retinaculum; the ligament that binds down the tendons around the ankle.  This rotation is a great overall ankle strengthener.

4.  Sit in a chair with your back straight up against the back of the chair.  Extend feet out parallel to the ground and point toes straight out.  Do this 25 times a day to strengthen the muscles on the front of the upper ankle.

Doing these simple exercises will strengthen and stretch your ankles which will lead to less ankle injuries while trail running or minimalist running.  If possible, do these exercises just before running in order to get a good stretch in your ankle muscles before heading out.  Also, these exercises may cure cankles, although doctors still aren’t sure what causes or the exact cure for this horrible disease…hopefully some day…

Above is a video of a test run with minimalist running shoes, Vivobarefoot EVOs, I did with Lee Saxby at Outdoor Retailer.  Lee cured Chris McDougall’s, who authored the book Born to Run, plantar fasciitis with his minimalist running techniques and instructions.  So I jumped on the treadmill to see what Lee could teach me about minimalist running to cure my own knee injury.  Since I was on a treadmill and not running a lot of miles the pain difference in my knees between the minimalist running shoes and my trail running shoes was marginal; however, I did learn how to run in minimalist running shoes.  Many runners overlook the fact that you need to change your running style when making the transition to a minimalist running shoe.  Before you put on your new vibram five fingers or minimalist running shoes and go for a 20 mile run you need to make sure you are running in them properly.  Here are some tips on how to correctly begin running in minimalist running shoes:

Head and Chest Forward: Minimalist runners should keep their head and chest leading their body, not leaning back which is what most of us do when running.  Make sure not to lean forward at your waist but rather tilt at the ankles.  This will help your feet strike underneath your body instead of in front of it.

Strike Under Your Body: Minimalist runners need to strike directly underneath their body so their center of gravity is positioned directly under the foot strike.  As the foot makes contact with the ground, tendons, and elastic components of certain muscles stretch beyond their natural length, thereby capturing and storing injury from the impact.  If you strike directly under your body, the rest of your body absorbs the impact instead of your knees.  The timed and coordinated muscle actions direct the energy back into the ground, sending your body upward and forward instead of side to side.

Arms swing Forward and Back: Minimalist runners want to make sure their arms move forward and back and have little side to side movements.  This allows your body to run straight up and down without encouraging movement in the rest of your body from side to side, which leads to injury.  Your elbows should never cross forward past your torso.  Keep them close to your chest with a compact swing.

Land on the front of your Foot: Minimalist runners need to make sure that they land first on the front of their foot rather than their heel.  Part of the debate around minimalist running shoes is that traditional running shoes have cushioning in the heel which has lead runners to begin heel striking rather than a natural front foot strike.  As you can see from my video, most of us strike on the back of our heels, concentrate on landing on the balls of your feet.  Remember, you don’t have to run on your toes; allow your entire foot to touch the ground, just roll from your toes all the way back to your heels.

Rhythm: Concentrate on developing a rhythm by counting 1,2,3,4 over and over as you run.  This will keep your strikes balanced, mitigating emphasizing one leg over the other in your new minimalist running mechanics.

Unfortunately, Lee suggests starting on the roads to hone the technique before running on uneven surfaces like trails.  I suggest you don’t have to do everything Lee tells you.

I started National Trail Running Day last year because I love trail running and I wanted to share my love.  So there it is, I love Trail Running and I’m not scared to admit it.  Although, it wasn’t love at first run, my love grew.  First, I was a track runner middle school, then a cross-country runner in High School, then a road runner in college, and I finally became a trail runner in my first job after college, United States Army Officer.  Every morning at 630 my unit would venture out into the forest of Ft. Bragg, NC trails.  Running is what defined many Army Officers and I was serving in the 82nd Airborne Division which prides itself on being the most fit unit in the Army.  Just to pass Airborne School you had to complete a run test that many could not conquer.  So the leaders in the 82nd were expected to be fit; and there is no greater test of physical fitness than a long run in the woods.

One of the reasons I joined the Army was that I love  the outdoors.  Running trails in the morning was my favorite time of day while serving.  The early morning dawn coming through the pine trees, everyone trudging through mud and sand; an exhilarating way to start the day.  It was a time to reflect on the task in front of you while also pushing your body to its limits.  At the time I didn’t even know trail running was becoming a sport of its own, I just knew that exercising in a natural environment made me happy.

After two deployments and over four years of service I separated from the Army to take on new challenges.  At the time of separation I had to decide where I wanted to live, which graduate school program to attend, and what type of job I wanted.  I had gone straight from college to the Army and up until this point, the Army had always told me where to live, what schools to attend, and what job to do.  I now faced some major life decisions for the first time.  I was up for the task though, I had been a Platoon Leader in Iraq conducting combat missions and making decisions effecting 30 men’s lives.  I was used to making important decisions.  However, I quickly learned that these new decisions that lay ahead of me were much different than the quick, reactive decisions I was used to making for the Platoon, now I had more time, more variables, and the decisions only effected me.  I began working on these decisions with the same fever as if I was still deployed, working 16 hours a day, 7 days a week.  I was maintaining my work-out schedule, but I was often drained and exhausted, running on fumes. (pun intended)

I continued on this pattern for 3 months straight before I finally broke down.  I stopped everything.  I had reached my decision benchmarks and now I could relax.  Slowing down forced me to think and understand everything that was happening.  I realized I really didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life.  Was this the path I wanted to take?  I had quickly made all of my life decisions and began executing them before thinking if they were truly making me happy.  I quickly became depressed under the weight of my ignorant direction.  While in the Army I had such great responsibility, respect, and prestige for what I was doing.  All of a sudden it hit me, I was just like everyone else.  But I wasn’t like everyone else; I was a civilian with no valuable skills, specific direction, or contemplated long-term goals.  I had to reinvent myself.  Not knowing how to attack this problem I started running more.  Training gave me goals to work toward without life changing commitment.  I decided to start each day the same why I did when I was in the Army, starting with a trail run.  Eventually I decided to stop doing the job I had picked only because I had to pick an industry for my MBA applications and started doing something that I love; running and writing about running.  That is why I started SeriousRunning.com with my brother and later National Trail Running Day.

National Trail Running Day is a day to celebrate the benefits of Trail running with runners taking to the trails of varying difficulties and distances, connecting with nature and the environment, slowing down their lives and getting back to the basics.  For more experienced runners, Trail Running offers a more technical version of road running that allows runners to challenge themselves.  The fact is, everyone can enjoy Trail Running and National Trail Running Day is a great way to increase awareness of the sport.

Trail Running changed my life forever and it could do the same for you.  Take a friend trail running on August 21st, 2010 and enjoy the trails.  It’s all about happy trails.

Hydration and energy are essential for successful Trails Runs, but is yours being sabotaged by sports drinks?

Sports drinks were originally developed by scientists at the University of Florida in 1965 to help the school’s football players perform better during their 3-hour long games in 100-degree heat. Sound like your Trail Runs? Didn’t think so. Most of us have trail runs that last from 1 to 1 ½ hours at a moderate pace. The American Dietetic Association explains that unless you are an elite athlete or engaged in vigorous activity for more than 1 hour, plain water works perfectly for hydration.

There are two main components of sports drinks that aid in performance and hydration: carbohydrates and sodium. The carbohydrates come in the form of sugar to sweeten the drink and to add calories for energy. The sodium works to replace the sodium lost in sweat. However, neither of the components are necessary in drinks used for thirst and hydration for moderate runs that last less than 1 hour. In fact, drinking sports drinks when they are not necessary can add extra calories to your diet. The usual size 20-ounce bottle of a sports drink has an average of 140 calories, which means that you will have to run an extra 15 minutes just to burn it off!

Instead of drinking regular sports drinks, here are some healthy options:

- Flavor regular water with lemon, lime or orange slices

- Use lower calorie versions of sports drinks such as Gatorade G2 (71 calories per 20-ounce bottle), Propel Fitness Water (25 calories per 20-ounce bottle) or Powerade Zero (0 calories per 20-ounce bottle)

- Dilute your favorite sports drink with regular water

I know what you are thinking. “But I always drink Gatorade during races. It makes me feel better.” And you are right! There are instances when you do need to replace needed calories and energy during or after trail runs. I know that when I am training for half marathons, I tend to get leg cramps at night. What does that say to me? I am losing too much potassium through my sweat and need to replace it better. Ways to do that are through potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, oranges, or sports drinks! Consequently, I usually end my long runs with a large glass of Propel, berry flavor to be exact. The 45 minutes directly after your run is the best time to replenish the body’s losses.

Essentially, think of your body as a night club. As the night goes on, more and more cabs line up to take people home. Just like as your muscles work, they need to be replaced by what they lose, so transporters in your body line up to bring those lost elements from your bloodstream to your muscles and tissues. After the night club closes, people linger for awhile, so the cabs stick around for another 45 minutes or so to assure that everybody is brought home safely. Similarly, in your body, those transporters stick around for about 45 minutes to bring every needed mineral and nutrient available to replenish the muscles and tissues, which help to prevent soreness and cramping.

Moral of the story: Sports drinks work magnificently to replace your body’s losses if you are trail running for longer than 1 1/2 hours, hit that wall during a trail race when you feel your energy bottoms out, or are in need of extra calories and electrolytes. Otherwise, water is your best bet. It will quench your thirst without adding excess calories that you just worked so hard to burn off.

Happy Trail Running and Hydration!

-Lanier Thompson, M.S.

Most trail runners have experienced it, some run just to attain it, while others have no idea what a “Runner’s High” is.  If you are a trail runner and have never experienced a Runner’s High then you need to run faster, push your body harder, and attain the point where you lose conscientiousness of what your body is feeling.

A Runner’s High can be described as an elevation of the senses while running, typically long distances and in a natural environment.  It is difficult for trail runners to describe the exact feeling (much like drug users) they get from a Runner’s High, but many equate it to the feeling of an orgasm.  Another good reason to go trail running.

Technically, a Runner’s High is associated with the release of endorphins in the brain.  Endorphins are any group of opiate proteins with pain-relieving properties that are found naturally in the brain.  The word endorphins comes from two parts: endo- and -orphin; which are short forms of the words endogenous and morphine, intended to mean “a morphine like substance originating from within the body.”  Knowing that human cells have receptors for this drug suggests that the body produces its own morphine like substances which it is believed can be released into the body by running long distances and gives trail runners the feeling of a Runner’s High.

While it is difficult to quantify exactly what feeling different trail runners get from this release of endorphins, it is agreed that there is a definite mood change.  The difference in Runners’ Highs can be a positive or negative one with differing levels of intensity.  Maybe that is why many trail runners become so Serious about Running, because they are the type of runners that get this intense positive feedback from running.

Whatever the science is and however your brain reacts to trail running, one thing is certain, there is a typical emotional feeling derived from trail running.  Everyone records their feelings differently but there is always a point during a trail run that your body changes.  So go out for a long trail run, and push to attain a close connection between your mind and body.  Let your mind take over while your feet are still moving, one in front of the other, and you are only aware of one thing…yourself.  Trail running is a free self-awareness seminar!

So say no to drugs and help keep the kids stay off the streets.  Get them running on the trails instead and let’s get hiiiiiiiigh together….on Trail Running.

For many running related injuries, a good regiment of RICE techniques (rest, ice, compression, elevation) can cure the aches and pains without having to see a doctor.  The only problem is finding the time to go through the entire RICE routine after every run.  The answer is to multi-task with Moji compression and ice products!

The use of ice, or cryotherapy, for musculoskeletal injuries has been a primary treatment approach by health care providers and runners for many years.   Today, cryotherapy use continues to be a proven and beneficial adjunct to manage soft tissue injury.  When used in the proper clinical situation, cryotherapy can diminish pain, metabolism, and muscle spasm, thus minimizing the inflammatory response and improving recovery after soft tissue trauma from running.  Research has shown that icing is one of the simplest, safest, and most effective recovery techniques for muscles, helping runners recover faster from training and injuries.

In conjunction with cryotherapy, effective compression lowers the temperature of local tissues, resulting in reduced local blood flow, inflammatory markers, cellular metabolism, and nerve transmission.  Moji uses a body-part-specific cold compression product that allows you to have both ice, and compression on your ailing joints, giving you the maximum effectiveness for your recovery time.

Moji products are able to make icing and compression more effective, easy to use, and comfortable through their patent-pending two-peice construction, which incorporates the Moji Cold Cell and the Moji Compression Wrap.  The Moji composite of individual cold cells that conform to the body provide maximum flexibility and comfort allowing freedom of movement.  The Moji Cold cell is a soft, pliable ice pack that attaches to the Moji compression products with Velcro.  The Compression wrap is made of stretch fabric which is adjustable so you can control your compression and freedom of movement.

Moji products include both a knee and back wrap to cover all of your recovery needs.  The wraps are very comfortable and easy to use when doing any normal activities around the house.  The cold cell is easy to use too.  It only takes throwing it in the freezer in order for the cold cell to be ready for use.  The individual cells work well to cool the areas that need cooling without freezing your entire body.  If you are looking for a easy, convenient way to practice RICE techniques then give the Moji products a try!

Some runners are intense about their training and racing, some runners run more for recreation or health reasons, but all runners develop the habit which can become what many refer to as a “Running Problem.”  I’m not a doctor, but if you have experienced any of the symptoms below you may have a running problem, and the only cure is:  more running of course!  And being able to laugh at yourself…

You Might Have a Running Problem if…

…you try to guess runners’ ages as you pass them

…say the words “easy” and “10 miles” in the same sentence.

…have heard the phrase “Run Forest Run” at least 100 times.

…spit on yourself sometimes.

…choose your hairstyle based on aerodynamics.

…wash your shorts in the shower.

…correct people when they say a marathon is 26 miles with that it is in fact 26.2 miles.

…no longer laugh at the term “fartlek.”

…tape your nipples.

…constantly get high…off running!

Feel free to comment with any other symptoms you’ve experienced!  You could save some one’s life…

In 2004, a study was conducted by The American Physiological Society in which they studied 10 different cyclists’ performance on a 6K course with a simulated altitude of 12,700 feet and found a 45% improvement in performance for most cyclists.  Runners, especially ultra distance runners, are now beginning to see the benefits of taking Viagra when exercising and racing.  Viagra’s use for increasing exercise performance originated with body builders, who it is hypothesized, started using Viagra to offset the side effect of impotence from steroid use, and found its benefits for increasing exercise performance.  Weight lifters began using it before work outs, using Viagra’s ability to dilate blood vessels to help deliver anabolics to various muscle groups.  The objective of athletes is to get the nutrients to the muscles as far ahead of time as possible in order to perform at optimal levels.  Body builders claim Viagra expands the muscles and pounds the nutrients in them.

As the study of cyclist shows, Viagra is also useful for other, more aerobic sports, like running.  Viagra increases stamina for endurance athletes by increasing blood flow to the lungs.  Viagra is a vasodilator which means it helps relax blood vessels to allow for increased blood flow.  This increase in oxygen in the blood flow to the lungs can be most helpful when running in high altitudes or oxygen poor climates.  The improvement in which the blood pressure is elevated in the arteries that supply the lungs is known as pulmonary arterial hypertension.  Runners of all types, at any altitude, can benefit from pulmonary arterial hypertension.

However, like many scientific studies, the interpretation of the results are mixed.  Some experts claim that the increase in performance by the use of Viagra could be due to athletes increase sex drive, which may lead them to have sex close to race time and therefore, increase their performance because of the euphoric state they are in after having sex, rather than increase oxygen to the blood flowing to the lungs.  Either way, Viagra is not currently a banned substance for most endurance races so it does not hurt to try.  The World Anti-Doping Agency is funding studies to detect whether the drug gives athletes an advantage or not.  If it does, it could be banned in future endurance events and running races.

So while it is currently legal, you can try to see if Viagra helps improve your athletic performance; however, like any medication, test at your (and your partner’s) own risk.

Studies have shown that 1 out of 55,000 to 88,000 marathon finishers die during or after the race.  Unfortunately, this occurred to three different individuals competing in the half marathon race of the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon this weekend.  Temperatures were not out of the ordinary that day, floating around the 30s, and doctors do not know the exact causes for the deaths of these three men.   Each of these three runners pasted away of apparent cardiac arrest; but all of the runners were people whom one would not think would have an issue with the strenuous conditions runners put on their body running long distances.  One was a 26 year old that was active and enjoyed playing soccer who collapsed and died shortly after crossing the finish line.  Daniel Langdon, 36, and Rick Brown, 65, both collapsed between mile 11 and 12 of the half marathon race.  Our hearts go out to the family and friends of these individuals.

As runners we need to remember that we are not as invincible as we would like to think.  Running is a gift that we should not take lightly.  Please keep these three people in your heart and minds on your next long run.

For more information visit the Atlanta Journal Constitution news story.

A couple of years ago a study was conducted at the Western States endurance run by David Neiman.  He set out to determine the influence of Ibuprofen in 29 ultramarathon participants.  In this study, Neiman had anticipated that the rigorous distance and altitude would surely affect the runners immune systems.  But how exactly?  Would they be able to perform better by feeling less pain while racing?

Neiman found that the runners who took the pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medicine were supplying their own physiological stress by taking these tablets.  The athletes who took the Ibuprofen actually displayed significantly more inflammation and other markers of high immune system responses during and after the race!  Consuming pain reliever during the race actually gave them more pain!  In addition, the pain relievers didn’t seem to add any benefits for reducing pain.  Nieman placed researchers at water stops during the race who found that there was no difference in pain for those who took painkillers from those who did not.

So why do so many runners take pain relievers?  Most point to pain prevention.  No runner wants to feel pain?  This has lead to a widespread use of pain relievers with very little understanding of the consequences.  First, if you are taking pain relievers while working out, you are masking the pains that are occurring which can lead to more serious injuries.  Runners typically get injuries from long-term, overuse of the body, which they are able to continue to do while taking pain relievers.  Pain is a signal to your body to slow down, take it easy, and rest.  Runners who take pain relievers regularly are more susceptible to overuse injuries.

Physically, pain relievers can mitigate the bodies process of building strong tissue and bones.  The stresses of exercise activate a particular molecular pathway that increases collagen, and leads eventually, to creating denser bones and stronger tissue.  If you are taking Ibuprofen before your work-outs then you lessen this response and do not let your body build this important tissue needed to lessen the pain of future intense runs.

So when is safe to take pain relievers as a runner?  If you have pain from an acute injury it is fine to take medicine to relieve it, but you should not be taking pain relievers before every work out or race.  It should be taken to relieve small pain symptoms, not as a precautionary measure.