Whether you’re new to running or a seasoned veteran, fueling properly for your training can be more difficult than anticipated. It can be challenging to know exactly how much you should eat, what it should consist of, and when it should be consumed to fuel and recover properly. Here are some tips to feel your best before and after a workout – and all you have to do is eat!

If you find yourself running at the same pace every day and cannot seem to get faster, it is time to give speed work a try. Without speed work, I never would have gotten my pace fast enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

If your goal is to get faster, then follow these simple tips.

Being new to any sport can be intimidating. There is typically a lot to learn, from the new lingo (what is a Fartlek and can I say that word in public?) to the proper way to train (wait, what does LSD stand for?--oh phew, Long Slow Distance...), to the new gear. While acquiring proper terminology and training comes after spending time in the sport, you can't even begin to engage in any new sport without the proper gear. You can't get into swimming without goggles and a bathing suit, cycling without a bike or helmet, and running without a number of essential items. Read below to learn how to be a “runner”.

Marathons in this century have spiked in popularity. The Smithsonian reports almost 2 million people finished a half marathon in 2014 and since 2000 marathon participants have increased by at least double digits year over year.

A good part of the uptick in interest is the availability of and proximity to races. If a runner is remotely interested in playing pin-the-tail on the US map, wherever he spins around and marks will feature an associated marathon at the destination point within 20 miles.

As one of my favorite running partners says, “There’s no better way to see the sights of a spot than to run it...and there’s no better way to find out where to get a beer than asking the local runners.”

Words to live by.

It is no secret that life seems to move at an absurdly fast pace. I know that I’m not the only one who wishes for more hours in the day or has a To-Do list that never seems to end. Consequently, this sometimes motivates runners to run a little faster than they should so they can then take care of everything else that needs to get done. However, taking time to slow down and appreciate the moment will not only give you some mental clarity, it will make you a better runner.

I sometimes wonder why the good/fast/scenic 5 or 10k has been so marginalized. I guess it’s because nobody can put a 5k finisher sticker on the car’s back window without blushing or being ironic. Medals? Nope. At best you’ll get a Hanes Beefy-T with a bunch of logos on the back—fit for cleaning a bike chain and not much else. Nobody wants to Facebook or tweet their 5k times or show that post-race glow pic when you’ve only done three quick miles before a pancake breakfast. Marathon finishes = at least 50 likes. A 10k, maybe six (including your mom).