Ordinary athletes with
extraordinary goals.
The Ordinary Athlete
An endurance blog for everyday athletes
Welcome to The Ordinary Athlete — a no-BS endurance blog for everyday runners, triathletes, and goal-chasers. Whether you’re training for your first 10K, your next Ironman, or just trying to fuel better, you’ll find practical tips, honest stories, and useful tools to help you go farther, faster and stronger.
Recent Posts
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5 Common Recovery Mistakes Runners Make (and How to Fix Them)
Ask most runners what they’re doing to improve, and you’ll hear about mileage, long runs, or tempo workouts. But ask about recovery, and things get quiet. The truth is, recovery isn’t optional — it’s where your fitness actually improves. Yet so many runners (myself included) make the same recovery mistakes that stall progress, invite injury,…
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How Much Water Should You Drink During a Marathon?
When it comes to marathon hydration, there’s a fine line between too little and too much.Dehydration can lead to cramps, dizziness, and a major drop in performance — but overhydration can be just as dangerous, potentially leading to hyponatremia (a condition caused by low sodium levels in the blood). So, how much water should you…
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I Signed Up for a Marathon Last Minute — Here’s How It Went
Most people spend months preparing for a marathon — following structured plans, stacking long runs, and tapering carefully before race day. None of which I had done when I spontaneously decided to run the Toronto Waterfront Marathon last weekend with just three days’ notice. It wasn’t on my calendar, I hadn’t done a marathon-specific training…
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Why the 2025 Women’s Ironman World Championship Was So Inspirational
The 2025 Women’s Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, was more than just a race — it was a celebration of strength, resilience, and community. From breakthrough wins to emotional finishes, from motherhood and age-defying endurance to moments of heartbreak and grace, the women of Kona showed what true athletic spirit looks like. Here are…
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Why Do Runners Get Shin Splints (and How to Prevent Them)?
If you’ve been running for a while, chances are you’ve felt that dull ache down the front or inside of your lower leg — the kind that flares up early in a run and can leave you hobbling later. That’s shin splints, and they’re one of the most common (and frustrating) overuse injuries among runners….
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9 Signs You’re Ready to Sign Up for an Ultramarathon
Thinking about running your first ultramarathon? You don’t need superhuman endurance or a decade of running experience — just the right mindset, habits, and curiosity to go further.If this sounds familiar, chances are you’re more ready than you think. Here are 9 signs you’re ready to sign up for an ultramarathon. 1) You’re Comfortable Running…
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About Me
Hi, I’m Chanelle — an amateur triathlete, avid runner, and lover of all things endurance.
I created The Ordinary Athlete to share real-life tips, training stories, and fuelling advice from someone who’s in it for the journey, not just the podium.