The fall season is upon us, and as the weather continues to cool, more people will be taking up running. Experienced runners will be shooting for a personal best or maybe a Boston Marathon qualification. Whether you are looking to start running for the first time or qualify for Boston, one thing is for sure, you will find yourself running in shoes that are lighter than ever. For this issue of Endurance, we tested many of the newest editions hitting the market this season. Our “Fall Shoe Review Guide” provides a list of the models we strongly recommend to runners of all shapes, sizes and abilities. Remember, if you have questions about the make and model that’s right for you, be sure to visit your local specialty running store for guidance.
Speaking of Boston …
Endurance Magazine was lucky enough to score an interview with this year’s Boston Marathon winner and total inspiration to runners young and old, Meb Keflezighi. Read our exclusive interview and Meb’s recount of his emotional victory at the world’s most iconic marathon. Meb also shares his insights on training for runners hitting their 40s as well as for children just getting started with the greatest activity to get and stay healthy: running!
After you read our interview with Meb and are sufficiently inspired, check out our “Injury-Free Half-Marathon Training Plan.” A recent scan of social media sites and dozens of hashtags, including #halfmarathon and #running, confirms it’s true: The half-marathon is an immensely popular distance to race. Unfortunately, your journey to the finish line of your favorite or first half-marathon can come to a screeching halt if injury invades your workouts. Proper footwear, good mechanics, corrected imbalances, and a decent strengthening program will help decrease your chances of injury. But just as important is allowing the body to recover after runs by cross-training or doing less intense sessions in between run workouts. We’ve created a plan for you to make it to the finish line safely and injury-free.
As always, we’ve got some delicious and nutritious recipes in this issue. Brandon McDearis’ vegetarian take on the Indian classic korma will “curry flavor” with you this month! It is super easy to prepare and while flavorful on its own, its mild spice leaves room for some ingredient experimentation. The addition of extra spices here shouldn’t hurt and using a curry paste, rather than a powder, could add some additional flavor, along with some heat. This is definitely a recipe you’ll want to try.
Brandon’s recipe includes cashews, which got us thinking about nuts. Which is better for you – almonds or walnuts? And are peanuts really good for you? You may love the protein power of peanut butter or you may love to snack on almonds, but did you know almost every type of nut has a lot of nutrition? Some nuts may have more heart-healthy nutrients and fats than others, but all nuts contain unsaturated fatty acids and other great nutrients for athletes. So, we got a little nutty with our research and compiled some good-to-know information about your favorite nut.
Not to be outdone, our friends at Roots Hummus brought us a healthy twist on traditional buffalo wings that will impress both carnivores and vegetarians at your next football-viewing party. This year, have a healthy snack while watching football and try some Roots mango sriracha hummus. It provides a delicious balance of sweet and spicy flavors while thickening the glaze and batter.
Don’t forget to check out the many other great articles and reviews in this issue of Endurance. Inside Out Sports provides a review on the Garmin Vivofit watch and Thomas Henson shares more important cycling safety information in his article “Advanced Bicycle Safety,” which also includes some really cool new bikes and other products. Don’t miss it!
