Running Reads 2/28/20

Welcome to the second edition of Running Reads & Other Intriguing Things. Here are a few things that have caught my attention this week:
 
First and foremost, the Olympic Marathon Trials are happening this Sunday, February 29. NBC is covering the event, as well as live tracking available online here. The men’s race will begin shortly after noon, with the women’s race starting about 10 minutes later. The field is huge, with a lot of the faces you might expect if you follow US marathon racing, as well as some newcomers.  Runner’s World has some detailed information along with a course preview.
 
In less positive news, the coronavirus continues to spread, and its impact is being felt on the running world as well. The Tokyo Marathon, which typically has an enormous field of about 38,000 runners, has taken the precaution of canceling the event for all but the elite field. 
 
Jason Koop always writes intriguing articles on a variety of training topics, and this one on strength training for ultrarunners is a provocative read.  While I’ve always been an advocate of ancillary strength work, he raises a legitimate point about the variety of activities that have been categorized as “strength training.”  At opposite ends of the spectrum, lifting heavy at the gym can have benefits as does bodyweight work geared toward injury reduction, but it’s worth considering how and where they fit into your training.
 
Shoes are always a hot topic, and cushioned shoes have become all the rage in recent years. Are they reducing injury, as many hoped they would? Maybe not, but the jury is still out. Instead, they may lead to heavier pounding and increased pronation, though whether this directly correlates to injury risk still isn’t clear. If nothing else, this is a good reason to rotate cushioned shoes with a more minimal pair to help improve your ground feel and teach you to land more lightly.
 
Lastly, some food for thought for trail runners and hikers who worry about the impact of fracking on our wild places and trails. It may now be in the hands of the Supreme Court as to whether or not the Appalachian Trail can stop an $8 billion pipeline.  While there are those who rely on the income generated from these pipelines, do we really need to invade both public trails and private property in the name of more fossil fuels?
 
Actually... I couldn’t resist one more.  If you need some inspiration, check out the incredible ultrarunning performances of 2019 here.