Parisa Arab leads the group at a race

Parisa Arab: A Record-Breaking Athlete You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of | Runner Spotlight Series

"I am an Iranian runner holding 3,000, 5,000, and 10,000-meter national records yet hardly anyone knows me due to public media policies hiding women's achievements in Iran," wrote Parisa Arab in her reply to the SFM Runner Spotlight Series questionnaire. Now, it's time for the world to get to know this multi-record-breaking Iranian athlete.... More
A diverse couple on their short run.

How Short Runs & Exerkines (No, It’s Not a Typo) Boost Your Health and Training

Ahhh, the long run… The cornerstone of every training plan. Many of us build our weekends around them, experiencing the progression of our mental and physical endurance as our goal races approach. But what about those short runs that are peppered throughout our programming? As one athlete that I coach pointedly asked, “What’s the ... More
An athletic woman in a pink top eats a bar mid-run; what GMOs can be in the bar? What are the GMO facts and fiction?

GMOs: Separating Fact From Fiction

You've probably seen the term GMO nearly everywhere from internet debates to the news to grocery stores. It stands for "genetically modified organism." It is generally understood to be an animal, plant, or microbe whose DNA (genetic material) has been altered using specific genetic engineering techniques. (This is how I will use the term in ... More
A construction worker happily skips, training with a physical job

How to Reconcile Training with a Physically Demanding Job

I’ve been joining a friend of mine at the gym for a few months now; they’ve been training hard and I had decided to join them for some extra motivation. Working out with friends increases accountability, and that had been the case for me, too. However, a few weeks ago, my friend started a new job where they’re on their feet all the ... More
Sanyika Shakur, this Runner Spotlight athlete, runs with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

How Sanyika Shakur Went from His Block to the San Francisco Marathon | Runner Spotlight Series

Sanyika Shakur is a Houston runner who started to run as a gift to himself for his 31st birthday. Eventually, he moved on from the streets of his childhood, completing three marathons within a year. This is his Runner Spotlight story. Written and edited by Pavlína Marek Sanyika Shakur came from Los Angeles. Now, he lives in Houston, ... More
Runner Spotlight star Lucie Nestrasilova waslking down the road with her dream race San Francisco Marathon medal around her neck

Lucie Nestrasilova: A Hockey Mom Who Traveled Across Half the World to Run Her Dream Race | Runner Spotlight Series

When Lucie Nestrasilova was 45 years old, she decided she wanted to do something big for her 50th birthday. Inspired by a book and her wish to run across the Golden Gate Bridge, she said she'd run a half marathon in San Francisco. Eventually, she found time in her incredibly busy life to travel across half of the globe to do run her dream ... More
A group of runners from the running community run together on a sunny day

What Does It Mean to Be a Part of the Running Community? Let’s Talk Sharing, Support, and Society.

Whether you’re just starting your running journey or you’re a seasoned veteran who's only just now becoming more involved, you’re probably going to stumble into other runners and running groups. If you were worried that you'd run alone forever and are excited about the prospect of running with others, this is an amazing time! Regardless ... More
A young woman does yoga, a great cross training for runners, on the side of a lake on a sunny day

Why is Yoga the Perfect Cross Training for Runners?

Ahh, runners. We tend to be a bit of an edgy bunch. Training for a race is by its very nature a structured endeavor; you have your deadline (race day), you have your tasks (training plan), and you have the rest of your daily life that needs to accommodate said schedule. What if someone—me, for instance—told you that one of the best types ... More
Jeremiah Maestre on a treadmill

Jeremiah Maestre: a Filipino Runner with Big Dreams and an Even Bigger Heart | Runner Spotlight Series

Jeremiah Maestre is a Filipino-born Orange County runner and martial artist, a father of two, and a man with big dreams and an even bigger heart. He's helped build boxing gyms across the US and coaches combat sports fighters and runners alike. This year, he's heading to the Marathon des Sables to push himself further than ever before. Wr... More
A Black woman runner with closed eyes in a desert enjoying the last sunrays, overcame the training traps and went running

4 Most Common Mind Traps that Prevent You from Reaching Your Health & Fitness Goals

When it comes to movement, there are many mind traps that keep us from getting off the couch and just doing it. However, the truth is, any and all movement has benefits. In fact, one recent meta-analysis suggested just 2-5 minutes of gentle walking several times during the day could improve blood sugar control. So, how do you overcome those ... More