Training
- New Year's Resolutions - Part I - Warming To The Cold
We all have excuses for not getting motivated to exercise when it's cold outside. The beginning of a new year always gets people to think about fresh starts and new beginnings. Feeling the accumulated burden of a year's worth of…
- How to Eliminate 'Runner's Knee' Pain
Tim Van Orden training with a patellar tendon strap Today I want to share my success story in dealing with 'runner's knee' pain. Many runners experience pain and swelling in the knee after long runs or high mileage increases. The…
- USA 50k Trail Running Championships - Video
Mt. Bachelor in Central Oregon This race really took a lot out of me mentally and physically... So I stepped away from working on this video for a few weeks. But now with a new perspective, I thought I'd put…
- Falling in Love... With Running
Tim Van Orden talking about falling in love with running... again. Do you love doing the things that you are committed to? Or do you simply feel pressured and obligated to do them because of a commitment you've made? Many…
- The Belly Fat Myth
There is so much misinformation on television and the net about fat loss, diet, exercise, stress and specifically on belly fat loss, that I decided to put out my two cents on the subject. • Like the Running Raw Facebook…
- Why I Run
I'm often asked why I run so much... am I running away from something? Here's my answer (inspired by Henry David Thoreau). Why do you run? • Like the Running Raw Facebook page - Like Running Raw on Facebook •…
- How Stress Affects Pre-Race Fueling and Metabolism
When it comes to being properly prepared for a race, one of the most important factors that's usually overlooked is your stress level. Stress affects metabolism and bodily energy stores and needs to be considered when prepping for a race.…
- Am I Over Training?
I'm often criticized for over training by people that don't know a great deal about training. Here are my thoughts on the subject. • Like the Running Raw Facebook page - Like Running Raw on Facebook • Subscribe to Tim…
- How to Keep Yourself Running in the Winter
It's that time of year again. Yes, THAT time of year. The time when the days are short, the afternoons dark and the temperature sinks well below the "it's a nice day for a run" mark. As I type this…
- Tim VanOrden's Running Raw Times August 3rd, 2011
Tim VanOrden’s Running Raw Times - August 3rd, 2011 A big hello to all my friends and supporters of the Running Raw Project! In This Update: Only One Hill The Road to Italy The Woodstock Fruit Festival Southeastern U.S. Tour…
- Running Raw Update 7/29/11 - New Audiobook Released!
A big hello to all my friends and supporters of the Running Raw Project! After 2 months of editing and compiling the best segments of my most recent lecture tour "Turbo Charge Your Life!" I am happy to announce that…
- Week in Review: July 4th - 10th, 2011
On the training front, this week was 'scheduled' as a base builder. The plan was to get my mileage back into the 90's and then 100's the following week in preparation for the Mt. Ashland Hill Climb on August 6th.…
- Week In Review: June 27th - July 3rd, 2011
The best laid plans of mice and men... This week my manly plans had me feeling like a mouse. A mouse that played chicken with the cat.... and lost. This was all thanks to the Cranmore Hill Climb , which…
- Weekly Training: June 20th - 26th, 2011
Having a great race at Mount Washington last week was a huge confidence builder. Running well on trails is one thing, but to do well in a mountain race you need to have a pair of mountain legs. So heading…
- Weekly Training: June 13th - 19th, 2011
Keeping up a substantial training load while in the middle of an important racing season can be a challenge. You don't want to train too much and show up to your races tired, but you also don't want to taper…
- Weekly Training: June 6th - 12th, 2011
Failing to plan is planning to fail. But even the best laid plans are mere guideposts on your journey. My plan of not taking any rest days was quickly derailed this week by various elements and I had to simply…
- Weekly Training: 5/30/11 - 6/5/11
Training has always been experimental for me. There are some athletes that follow the same plan day in and day out for their entire careers. I have never been one of those regimented souls. The unknown has too great a…
- Weekly Training: 5/23/11 - 5/29/11
There is nothing quite like the brilliant neon green of a New England Spring to motivate one to explore the plentiful wooded trails in the area. Rather than dreading the relentless mileage that I've been putting in, I've been looking…
- Weekly Training: 5/16/11 - 5/22/11
This week was a busy one as I was bouncing around the Pacific Northwest giving talks and then entertaining guests in Vermont upon my return. Keeping up a heavy load of training while traveling is always a challenge, especially when…
- Weekly Training: 5/09/11 - 5/15/11
The buildup in mileage over the past 5 weeks followed by a slight taper this week put me exactly where I wanted to be for the 2011 U.S. 15k Trail Running Championships in Spokane, WA on May 14th. Although I…
- Tim VanOrden’s Running Raw Update - May 11th, 2011
Tim VanOrden’s Running Raw Update - May 11th, 2011 A big hello to all my friends and supporters of the Running Raw Project! In This Update: A Championship Summer Upcoming Talk Schedule The Race Report The Training Log A Championship…
- Weekly Training: 5/2/11 - 5/8/11
With 408 running miles logged over the past 30 days, I can now say that I am the fittest I have ever been. My training is WAY ahead of where I was at this point last year and I'm setting…
- Weekly Training: 4/25/11 - 5/1/11
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood? Honestly, I have no idea, but I do know that they can easily outrun me after a long trail run. Another hundred mile week under my belt…
- Weekly Training: 4/18/11 - 4/24/11
Getting sick for nearly 3 weeks in February really shook my confidence and threw me abruptly off of my training path. After 2 months I have finally begun to build back up to my desired training load and regain confidence.…
- Weekly Training - 2/14/11 - 2/20/11
The build continues! With the Northeast Snowshoe Championships only a week away and the U.S. National Snowshoe Championships less than 3 weeks away, I've really pushing my body to the limit in hopes of a high peak at race time.…
- Weekly Training 2/7/11 - 2/13/11
When in Rome, do as the Romans. Or more appropriately, when you are buried in snow, go snowshoeing! Now that the Empire State Building Run Up is behind me, I can focus all my efforts on the upcoming U.S. National…
- Weekly Training 1/31/11 - 2/6/11
The week started off with a taper for the Empire State Building Run Up. All of the long hours of cross training these past 6 weeks seems to have paid off as I shaved 44 seconds off my best time…
- Tim VanOrden’s Running Raw Times - January 31st, 2011
A Huge hello to all my friends and supporters of the Running Raw Project . In This Issue: • The Top Ten of 2010 • Finding Heaven in Eleven • The Blog is Back! • The Race Report • Fundraising…
- Weekly Training - 1/24/11 - 1/30/11
The final week of training before the Empire State Building Race. I cut back on the time but actually bumped my running miles up a bit. Sunday's snowshoe race was a medium effort and gave me great confidence as I…
- Weekly Training - 01/17/11 - 01/23/11
The week started off slowly, due to an illness over the weekend. Fearing for my lungs, I kept indoors a good bit and ran on the dreaded treadmill. In order to make this tolerable I built a stand to hold…
- Weekly Training - 01/10/11 - 01/16/11
What started out as a very solid week of training, crashed and burned as I came down with a stomach bug Thursday afternoon. A combination of hard training, lack of sleep and stress have put me in a rather weakened…
- Weekly Training - 01/03/11 - 01/09/11
The intense cross training regimen continues. My legs are tired every day, but I continue to get stronger and more fit every week. The Tabata leg press records that I've been setting, keep falling. My road mileage has been gradually…
- Weekly Training - 12/27/10 - 01/02/11
Thanks to the bounty of Wintry white goodness that has blanketed Vermont, I've been able to greatly increase my training load through the use of cross training. Activities such as cross country skiing, snowshoeing, upright rowing machine and boot/snow running…
- A day in the life of Running Raw
People often ask me what I eat each day and how much I train. So today I thought I'd give you a snapshot of a day in the life of the Running Raw Project. At present I'm preparing for the…
- Winter Running Tips to Keep You Safe, Warm and Happy
Now that my injuries are healing up I'm back out there running in the cold. It's hard enough to get yourself started again after a layoff, but doing so when the days are short, cold and dark can be a…
- Tim VanOrden’s Running Raw Times - September 17th, 2010
A Huge hello to all my friends and supporters of the Running Raw Project . In This Issue: The Oregon Trail Event with Ani Phyo The Race Report The Training Log Upcoming Events Your Support In Conclusion The Oregon Trail…
- Tim VanOrden’s Running Raw Times - August 19th, 2010
A Huge hello to all my friends and supporters of the Running Raw Project . In This Issue: • On The Road Again • The Race Report • The Training Log • Upcoming Events • 2010 Veggie Awards • Your…
- Tim VanOrden's Running Raw Times - June 17th, 2010
A huge hello to all my friends and supporters of the Running Raw Project . In This Issue: • Growing Pains • The Race Report • Running Raw Apparel & Lecture DVDs • The Running Raw Buzz • The Training…
- Ginger for post race recovery
According to this new study, it seems that eating ginger post workout or post race can significantly reduce muscle pain. I suggest adding it to a post workout smoothie to smooth out the kick. Check out the story here: Ginger…
- Tim VanOrden's Running Raw Times - March 5th, 2010
A Huge hello to all my friends and supporters of the Running Raw Project . In This Issue: • The Year in Review • 2010 To Do List • The Race Report • Running Raw Apparel & Lecture DVDs •…
- Tim VanOrden's Running Raw Times - November 9th 2009
A Huge hello to all my friends and supporters of the Running Raw Project . In This Issue: • Four More Years? • Turning Fall into Rise • Running Raw Apparel & Lecture DVDs • 105º is HOT • Grazing…
- Speed Works!
This past Sunday at the Northfield Mtn. Race (New England Trail Championships) I felt like I had been hit by a truck. The two weeks prior had been incredibly stressful. My grandfather passed away, two days before his 99th birthday…
- Tim VanOrden's Running Raw Times - October 15th, 2008
A Huge hello to all my friends and supporters of the Running Raw Project . In This Issue: • The Little Victories • Food Networking • The Running Raw Buzz • The Race Report • The Training Log • Upcoming…
- Climbing To The Top
With one of the biggest races in Running Raw history only three days away ( US Bank Tower Stair Climb in Los Angeles on September 26th), I thought I'd keep you posted on my preparation for this monumental event -…
- Tim VanOrden's Running Raw Times September 16th, 2008
A Huge hello to all my friends and supporters of the Running Raw Project . In This Issue: • All's Quiet on the Eastern Front • Forté at Forty • Olympic Trials and Tribulations • Food Networking • The Running…
- Tim VanOrden’s Running Raw Times - March 22nd, 2008
Tim VanOrden’s Running Raw Times - March 22nd, 2008 A Huge hello to all my friends and supporters of the Running Raw Project . In This Issue: • Marching Into Spring • The Sunshine State in the Raw • The…
- Tim VanOrden’s Running Raw Times - December 26, 2007
Tim VanOrden’s Running Raw Times - December 26, 2007 Happy Holidays to all my friends and supporters of the Running Raw Project. In This Issue: • Pruner needed • VB to VT • Tilting at Skyscrapers • RAW Summit success…
- Mt. Equinox Snowshoe
When I initially came to Vermont I was quite worried that my training would come to a halt as winter arrived. The icy roads and cold temps make running far more challenging and dangerous. In addition, we've had a very…
- Ship Shape!
It's a beautiful fall day in Los Angeles. A cold front has moved down from Alaska to temper the constant California sun, there is a light breeze and plentiful white fluffy clouds in the sky to offer shade. Perfect running…
- Cool Canyon, Cold War and Combating Candida
On one of my last runs in Los Angeles I head back to where it all began. Ten years ago, upon arriving in LA, and yearning for the mountains and greenery of Vermont, I was introduced to the magical world…
- Secret Weapon of Stair Climb Training
In order to make up for my runner's legs in a stair climb race, I've had to employ new training regimens that allow me to take advantage of other muscle groups. I've learned to turn a stair climb event into…
- Training for the US Bank Tower Stair Climb
At 8:00am on October 6th, I will be racing up the 1,500 stairs of the US Bank Tower in downtown Los Angeles. The US Bank Tower is the eighth tallest building in the US and the tallest building in California.…
- Altitude Training Southern California Style
In order to be prepared for the upcoming Mt. Baldy race (8 miles - 6,000' to 10,000' ascent) on September 3rd, I've started to incorporate runs at high elevation into my schedule. Los Angeles County offers some of the best…
- Adirondack Adventure
After a grueling race up Mt. Washington , my family thought it would be a good idea for me to get away and relax at our camp in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York. It's a trip back in…
- Last Hard Workout Before U.S. Mtn. Championships
With the abundance of running trails within minutes of my house, I hardly ever head into Hollywood to run in the parks there. The parks in the Hollywood Hills (Santa Monica Mountains) are not only some of the largest city…
- Rollerblading to Prevent Injury
My warmup for the Southern California Masters Track Championships starts the day before the event. Instead of overdoing it on the road or trails, I incorporate some cross-training in the form of rollerblading. Yes, I said rollerblading. It's a great…
- Pre-Race Regimen - The Night Before An Event
Everyone has a pre-race routine. After extensive research and testing I have come up with a "day before the race" regimen for optimum performance.
- In Search of the Toughest Workout - Sand Dune Park
Have you ever tried running in the deep sand in the middle of the beach? Now imagine tilting that beach at a 40% slope and running up it. That's what awaits the brave souls who enter Sand Dune Park in…
- My 39th Birthday Present - a new PR
The Paseo Miramar fire road has been my nemesis since day one of this undertaking. It was the first trail that I ran on as I began this journey, and a year and a half later the thought of running…
- Running The Steepest Streets in Los Angeles
In preparation for the US Mountain Running Championships in New Hampshire this June, I've had to really up the intensity of my workouts. The usual mountain trail runs with an average grade of 10% to 12% just won't cut it…
- New training strategy - a 5k race every weekend
Oh, the joys of being injured... Since the vast majority of my training is uphill (due to runner's knee), I very rarely if ever get any speed work done. The fastest that I can run up my normal 10% to…
- Training on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Access Road
In preparation for the 1st Climb California race, I did one last hard vertical effort - The steep access road up to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. At the end of the road you can catch the tram to the…
- My First 10K - Rhythm of Life 10K - Los Angeles
Well, after 45 days of recovery from my knee injury in the Catalina Half Marathon, I decided to see how fast I was on flat pavement. I haven't run on a flat surface nor done speed work since early February,…
- Uphill Battle with Injury
The knee injuries I sustained during the Catalina Half Marathon have forced me to shift my training and my perspective. Is it possible to turn an injury into a blessing and create a new training method that is better than…
- L.A. Marathon Spectator
Running a marathon has never been tops on my list of things to do, but as this project has evolved, the gold standard of distance running seems to be my destiny. Unfortunately, I've been sidelined with a knee injury and…
- Mt. Wilson Adventure
On a clear Winter day, the mighty summit of Mt. Wilson can be seen rising up above Los Angeles to a lofty height of 6000 feet. Topped with radio and TV towers, four observatories, a museum and a paved road…
- Sierra Nevada Adventure
On a recent speaking tour of Northern California, I had the opportunity to explore many of the beautiful trails of the lower Sierra Nevada Mountains. In this video, I'm running on the Steven's Trail along the American River in California…
- No Pain, No Gain
Trying to make a difference is not easy.