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Lead Stories: Friday, August 29, 2008

ASK FLASH: My introduction, learning from injuries and running on treadmills

Posted March 27th, 2007 at 4:43 PM by Joshua Flash Gordon

Section: Running & Training, Columns, Training Tips, Ask Flash

Need advice? Injured? Confused? Overwhelmed? Bored? ASK FLASH!
ASK FLASH is a free advice column to help you with all of your running, fitness and nutrition inquiries. To ASK FLASH — simply fill out the form at the conclusion of the column.

Welcome to the new home of ASK FLASH. Now … Let’s get right to it!

Q. Flash, why would someone give you an advice column? Weren’t you just injured?
~Abby from Delaware

A. Good question. I think of it in baseball terms. Often, the best managers were back-up catchers or former players of marginal ability. It is that very absence of freakish raw talent that has the tendency to force an individual to learn, and then continue to do so, if they have the desire to be successful.

In the grand scheme of competitive running, I am nothing special. I have had some successes along the way (I was the Western MA high school XC champion ‘back in the day’, ran a 2:39 marathon in Richmond a year ago, and have won my share of local races). These triumphs have not and never will come easy. What I have gained is a great deal of experience and knowledge.
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Slope on treadmills

Posted January 3rd, 2007 at 4:00 PM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: Running & Training, Health & Fitness, Exercise

Good treadmills have a lever that raises the front end to simulate running up hills, because running on level ground does not do much to strengthen your upper leg muscles. Running strengthens primarily your lower leg muscles.

You stress your upper leg muscles significantly only when you run up hills. Each one percent increase in the elevation angle on your treadmill requires four percent more energy.
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The 3 Biggest Variables Between Road and Treadmill Running

Posted October 23rd, 2006 at 12:30 PM by Jim Fortner

Section: Running & Training, Gear & Apparel, Exercise Equipment, Training Tips

Jim Fortner is a weekly, guest contributor to TFS. Make sure to also check out his own personal running and advice site: “Jim2’s Running Page”.

In my opinion, using a 1-2 percent incline to simulate the “wind resistance” created by your body moving forward through the air when running outside is one of the most overblown “theories” in running.

There are several other variables between road and treadmill running that are much more significant than wind resistance.

I think the three biggest ones are treadmill calibration, climate and terrain. Read the rest of this entry »

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Treadmills: Keeping You Safe and Fit Throughout the Winter

Posted October 20th, 2006 at 10:13 AM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Gear & Apparel, Exercise Equipment, Health & Fitness

With winter just around the corner
- treadmill sales are inevitably on the rise.

Although some “traditionalists” look down upon those runners who aren’t “tough enough” to run outside in freezing temperatures, treadmills can help runners’ stay safe and injury free.

Cold weather is extrinsically tied to ice, snow and other dangerous road & sidewalk conditions. In addition to these potential hazards, if it is so cold that icicles begin to form on your eye lashes - you significantly increase the possibility of pulling or even tearing a muscle.

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