Two running sites worth checking out

The new runtastic portal if you have an iphone etc... or this training site from new balance

3 Non-physical benefits to running

Michael Hyatt explains what he gets out of running besides being fit. His three are:

1. Running provides me with “think time
2. Running provides an opportunity for personal growth
3. Running provides the chance to recharge

Read the whole thing and then comment what non-physical benefits do you get from running?

Five finger running shoes

Have you ever used them? I'm tempted but and Michael Hyatt seems convinced

Marathon runners should go for non-alcoholic beer

Apparently that's the conclusion of this study from the University of Munich. It's better for your health if you drink the wheat based alcohol free stuff. I'm just not sure whether that counts as good news or not?

(HT: Freakonomics)

Park Hall 5k

I ran a 5k race tonight which I've run the previous two years. In 2009 I managed a 22'24 and in 2010 I improved on that a little with a 22'08.

So tonights 21'18 marks a 50 second improvement which over 5k is a decent jump forward, and I'm sure if I'd pushed myself I could have been sub-21. I finished with a sprint and recovered quickly, I just run too much within myself because I'm worried about running out of steam. What I needed to do was pick the pace up say 500m out not 200m and then I'd have been sub-21.

Anyway I'm pleased!

Could a marathon ever be run in under two hours?

If it can it certainly won't be done by me. Under 4 hours is my goal! Anyway the BBC attempts an answer

A couple of running links

It's a while since I last posted but it's not that I haven't been running just not writing about it. In fact I've done two 7 mile runs in the last 24 hours, so there. But here are a couple of friends thoughts on running

• Matt Hosier reflects on the life benefits from training for the Brighton marathon
• Sean Green recently did a 5k in Reading with the park run initiative.