A Coach in the Mail
by Craig Lore

A running magazine can provide advice on training, nutrition, equipment, and hydration; profile runners, providing human interest and inspiration; and open the world to a new running genre. If you only run road races, maybe you should try trail runs. Run your share of marathons? Consider expanding to the ultra marathon. Whatever your interest, there’s a publication to help.
Some people complain that there is a limit to what can be written about running before everything repeats and that you can find whatever you need on the Internet. To some extent this is true, but holding the magazine in your hand, reading the stories, and scanning the pictures provide a pleasure that a website cannot.

Runner’s World: RW is a gloss with the largest circulation among running magazines. RW is a generalist, catering to all runners from the 5K through the Ultramarathon. It includes shoe and gear reviews, training articles, a race calendar, and runner profiles. Complaints about RW state that it is too generic and focuses primarily on novice runners. Let’s be honest, elite runners are not getting training advice from RW—though they may be writing for it. However, most runners can benefit from RW articles. RW is widely available on newsstands and has a great website. Published by Rodale, Inc., 12 times/year for $19.97. www.runnersworld.com

Running Times: RT focuses on serious competitors. About two-thirds the length of RW, RT is also a glossy, but it has somewhat less advertising and much more specific training information; however, it still includes gear reviews, a race calendar, and runner profiles. It has a good website. Interestingly, RT is also owned and published by Rodale, Inc. RT is published 10 times/year for $19.97 www.runningtimes.com

Trail Runner: Naturally, TR focuses on trail running. While trail runners can be as competitive as anyone, many prefer a laid-back approach, where location is more important than PRs. Trail runs are usually low-key events with friendly runners, well-stocked aid stations, and lots of hills – good news though, walking is a valid strategy. Runs vary from 6 km to 100 miles plus, and many races include several distances to choose from. TR is a glossy magazine with a healthy share of advertising. It contains a race calendar, articles on races and racers, and information about gear, techniques, and training. It has a good website. Published by Big Stone Publishing, 7 times a year, $19.95. www.trailrunnermag.com

Ultra Running: Typical ultras include 50K (31 miles), 50 miles, 100K (62 miles), and 100 miles, but any distance beyond the marathon (26.2 miles) qualifies as an ultra. Ultra runners and trail runners often cross paths; both generally prefer a slow-and-steady-wins-the-race running philosophy. Ultra runners often include regular walking breaks, and tactically, walking hills uses less energy than running them. Ultra runners claim that ultras, though longer, are less hard on the body than marathons because of the softer terrain, slower pace, and walking intervals. UR is not as slick as the other magazines and has less advertising. It includes a race calendar, articles on technique, training, and nutrition. It has a good website. It also includes names and finishing times for all ultras. If you have completed an ultra, you will appear in the magazine. Published by Ultra Running Magazine, 10 times/year, $30. www.ultrarunning.com

Marathon & Beyond: M&B is unique in size and shape, resembling a large-format Reader’s Digest rather than the standard magazine shape. The magazine caters to the marathon and ultra marathon distances, has very few ads, and mostly black and white photographs. M&B does not publish equipment reviews or a race calendar, but does include runner profiles, first-person accounts of races, and marathon and beyond training advice. Articles can be longer and more detailed than other magazines. It has a lackluster website. The magazine boasts that 79% of their readers keep their copies forever. M&B is published 6 times/year for $34.95. www.marathonanbeyond.com

Treat yourself to a running magazine, a cheap source of instruction and inspiration, and place another tool in your gear bag. Runner’s World and/or Running Times provide most runners with plenty to consider. If trail runs, marathons, or ultras intrigue you, subscribe to a specialty magazine, and read about the experience and how to prepare for it.
Don’t forget the 33rd Annual Mount Madonna Challenge in Gilroy’s Mt. Madonna Park on August 23rd sponsored by South Valley Running Club. Whether it’s your 33rd or 1st, this challenging 6K or 12K is a great run through the woods. www.svrchome.org or www.active.com

	~ Craig Lore is president of the South Valley Running Club and a Certified Running Coach through Road Runners Club of America. Runners write to craig@svrchome.org or see www.svrchome.org. Gotta run.