Hey Paul,



I am a first time runner training for the 10K San Diego Mud Run. I am in good shape but never have been a runner or trained. I started running with my team mates 3 weeks ago. First week i was super sore. Second week I pulled my right calf muscle but humped it out and finished. Trained 2 more time and the same muscle keeps pulling. Any advice on what I can do to recover while I continue to train? i have been stretching but that doesn't…

Crazylegs,



How far apart should my feet be planted when I run? I used to run, as it were, on a line, but someone recently told me that was incorrect. The feet should land approximately a foot-width apart. I've tried that, but it now feels kind of like I'm waddling—or like I just got off a horse...



Jason C.

Jason,



I never heard of a proper distance for your feet to be apart.…

Crazy Legs,



After I completed the Chicago Marathon I notice my toenails were black? What causes this and how can I prevent it from happening?



Jason



Jason,



Recent trauma to your toe may have caused the toenail to become black. This is because it is bruised and blood has gathered under the nail. Some causes of black toenails can be wearing no socks, having too thick of a sock or having shoes that are too…

Crazy Legs,

How do you deal with the aging process? Especially the part that includes running slower? It depresses me.

kara

Kara,

 

First a few facts. It would appear that the body reaches peak efficiency at the age 30 and then declines in many ways. Using age 30 as reflective of 100% performance, we see the following: (a) pumping efficiency of the heart is reduced about 20% when a person…