Category: Running
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Chicago’s Shamrock Shuffle: A Spring Racing Tradition
The unofficial start of spring racing in Chicago There are some races that simply feel like the start of something, and for runners in Chicago, the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is exactly that. Held every March, the Shamrock Shuffle has become an annual rite of spring in the city.…
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Trying Super Shoes: Are They Worth It?
If you’ve spent any time around runners lately, you’ve probably heard people talking about super shoes. These high-tech racing shoes, typically built with ultra-light foams and carbon plates, are designed to help runners go faster and run more efficiently. Over the last few years they’ve completely changed the racing landscape.…
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Why I’ve decided not to run a spring marathon (and why you might want to take a break too).
2025 was a really fun year for running. So many great things happened. I trained consistently throughout the year and focused on improving my general health and strength. I found a good rhythm and stuck with it – and consistency really feels good. I ran three races, all of them…
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Essential Philadelphia Marathon Race-Day Tips
Before I ran the Philadelphia Marathon, I spent quite a while online searching for race-day tips. There were a few nuggets of advice out there, but I still found myself with plenty of questions when race day arrived. So, I thought I’d contribute to the collective knowledge by sharing my…
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Is the Philadelphia Marathon Flat? My Race Day Experience & What to Expect
The Philadelphia Marathon was my “A” race this autumn, and I’d been looking forward to running it ever since I discovered that its medal contains a little ringing bell! I’d heard from friends that the course was flat, fast and ideal for a PR, and given how much I like…
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Highlights from Chicago Marathon Weekend 2025
The Chicago Marathon is my favourite race in the world. Even when it doesn’t go perfectly, I still love it. I’ve now run Chicago seven times. My first marathon was in Chicago in 2012, my marathon PR is from 2014, and my return to running after the pandemic was in…
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Explore Stockholm: Scenic Running Routes You Can’t Miss
Last summer, my husband and I spent ten days in Europe, visiting Stockholm, Tallinn, and Helsinki. In each city, we found time to work out and run, so I thought I’d share a few of our favourite routes. I know I’m super late in posting these, but better late than…
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Lost Your Running Mojo? Why You Shouldn’t Rely on Motivation.
(I wrote this a little while ago and totally forgot to post it. It’s still relevant though, since we’re deep into fall marathon training season.) Every now and then, I lose my running mojo, and it’s so frustrating. There’s usually a reason for it such as being too tired, having…
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Philadelphia Marathon Training: An Update
This year I decided that instead of running my favourite marathon, Chicago, I’d take on Philadelphia. I made this choice for a few reasons: I also decided that after a few years of self-coaching my way back to marathon fitness, I’d work with a coach this time (more on the…
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Bitten by a Dog While Running? Here’s What to Do
Exactly a year ago, I was running in DC, down Embassy Row, to be precise, on an easy evening run when a dog ran at me from behind and bit my arm. You might be wondering, “How on earth did that happen?” or “What did you do to provoke the…
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Best Running Trails Near Heathrow Airport: Explore Harmondsworth Moor
Recently, my husband and I spent a night at Heathrow Airport ahead of a long-haul flight back to the US. While our hotel ticked the basic boxes, it didn’t have a gym, and knowing that we had a full day of sitting ahead of us, I was determined to get…
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Discovering Shrewsbury’s Parkrun Experience
A couple of weeks ago, while visiting family in the UK, we spent a few days in my hometown of Shrewsbury – a picturesque, medieval market town nestled in a bend of the River Severn. With its Tudor buildings, winding alleys, and warm community feel, it’s a lovely place to…
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