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Run for over fifty years and you’re bound to eventually learn a few things. One such lesson is that being tired from a workout is not the same as being worn out from not having a sufficient recovery from your workouts. I can distinctly recall races where what I called “tired legs” limited my performance and in some cases, led to an injury. This essential lesson is the topic of today’s post. Walking with Rick? There’s more to recovery than “not running.” As I’ll delve into

I thought I could do it. I really did. I thought that with just one small 5K under my belt I could place in my age group in Iowa’s largest race, the Bix 7. Oh man, I put so much thought and planning into doing this. But when my Garmin informed me of my time for that third mile - much of which was downhill - reality splattered into me like the onslaught from an angry starling above. I was not able to maintain the pace I’d wanted. Indeed, given how I was already starting to

406 days. Approximately 9757 hours. That’s how long it had been since my last race. As those who follow this post know, the time since that race has seen far too much drama. Knee injury. Platelet-Rich Plasma injection. MRI. Meniscus surgery. Blah. Blah. Blah. What mattered most to me was the walk up to that starting line in downtown Ames, Iowa. Me and just over four hundred other participants clustering closer and closer together. What was going through my head? Prett

May 2, 2026. Leaving earlier than any sane person on a Saturday morning and armed with a playlist of musical gems from 1976, I braved a morning chill to run not one, not two, but … five miles! Huh? Just five miles? I know. That’s nothing to most other runners. A year ago, it was nothing to me. But now, it's the longest distance I've ran since September 27, 2025. On that note, I’m also up to running five days a week and scheduled to return to workouts with my coach - both

We're all friends here, right? If so, then it's about time I come clean with all of you. I'm addicted to running. That's probably not quite a newsflash to anyone who knows me. I'm far from alone in experiencing this particular addiction. There are key reasons why running is addictive that I will elaborate on. And there are points where that addiction can become problematic which I will share as well. Let's Talk About the Science If no one minds, it's time to become Dr. Ri

Credit that post-op smile on some fine pain meds! There are a number of reasons that I love my wife. That I’m now recovering from surgery is one of them. Huh? you’re wondering. That Amy’s had you have surgery is a good thing? Actually, the surgery I had five days ago is the best thing to happen to me in months. Let me explain. Quick Refresher As I’ve shared in previous posts, I experienced a sudden sharp pain on the inside of my left knee on July 8 of last year during a c

That smile is the satisfaction from a recent speed workout at with Coach Ives at The Body Project. Yeah, injuries suck. You know it and...