We’ve all been there: cruising through a run when suddenly, a sharp pain hits just below the ribs. The dreaded side stitch. It’s one of the most common and frustrating issues runners face — but what actually causes a stitch while running, and is there any way to prevent it? Let’s break it down. What…
Fuel is everything on Ironman race day. You’re asking your body to swim almost 4 km, bike 180 km, and run a full marathon—and what you eat (and when) can make or break your performance. Unlike a standalone swim, bike, or run, fuelling for an Ironman comes with its own set of challenges. You’re dealing…
Fuel is everything in an ultramarathon. Whether you’re racing 50K or 100 miles, what you eat can make or break your day. And unlike shorter races, you can’t just rely on a few gels and some Gatorade—you need a real nutrition plan that supports hours (or days) of effort, keeps your stomach happy, and helps…
No matter how much you train or prepare, your first marathon is always full of surprises. The long runs in training give you confidence, but nothing quite replicates the reality of race day — the nerves, the logistics, the 26.2 miles (or 42.2 kilometres) ahead of you, and the inevitable marathon mistakes that come with…
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…
Triathlon gear can get overwhelming fast—especially when it comes time to pack your transition bags. If it’s your first race, you might even be wondering: what are triathlon transition bags, what goes in them, and when are they actually used? In most sprint and Olympic-distance triathlons, you won’t use dedicated transition bags. Instead, you’ll usually…
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,…
If you’ve ever finished a long run only to find a sore, bruised, or blackened toenail, you’re not alone. Black toenails — often called runner’s toe — are so common that many runners consider them a rite of passage. But while they’re usually harmless, they can also be painful, frustrating, and, let’s be honest, not…
An ultramarathon is technically any running race longer than 42.2 km (26.2 miles). But how long is an ultra marathon, really—and what does that actually involve? That depends. The truth is, ultras come in many shapes and sizes. Some are just a few miles past a marathon, while others stretch across entire regions, test sleep…
Think Ironman training takes years? For most people, training for a full-distance Ironman will take 6 to 12 months, but the right timeline for you depends on a few key things. Here’s how long most triathletes actually need to prepare. What Impacts Your Training Timeline? There’s no one-size-fits-all plan, but here are the biggest factors that…