Doctor John's Coaching Tips
See "Speed 101"

Listen to Your Feet - If you can hear your feet scuff or pound, you need to run more lightly.  Pick those tootsies up and come down softly.   This is a guaranteed injury prevention tactic.

The Three B's - Big Toe: Push off your big toe.  This keeps your feet in a straight line and best uses your arch and ankle to get a good stride.
Butt:  Keep your butt underneath your body - not stuck out behind you. (If you can put it in front of you, you can make big bucks in Cirque du Soleil.)  This is better on your back and helps keep you in an upright position.
Belly Breathe:  When you breathe deeply, your belly (diaphragm) should expand, not your chest.  You get more air with belly breathing and have less chest and shoulder tightness.

Run Forward - Keep everything moving forward - arms, legs, head, hands, & body.  Side-to-side and up-and-down movements slow you down and are counter-productive to running efficiently, smoothly & comfortably.

Walk Efficiently - During your walk breaks keep moving forward with your body erect.  Take medium steps and keep some arm swing with your elbows bent.

Be Safe -  Stay on the left side on roads (facing traffic), the right side on sidewalks, and the top side of grass.  Yell out to your group about cars, bikes and other hazards.

Top Ten Signs You're Not Going to Win the N.Y.C. Marathon

10.  You've been training at Blimpies

9.    Losing precious minutes with Marlboro breaks

8.   You favorite three words are "More pie, please."

7.   You get stuck behind Rosie O'Donnell

6.   Instead of Gatorade, you're drinking Zima

5.   Before you've gone two miles, one of your four inch heels snaps off

4.  Instead of the "eye of the tiger", you have the dull stare of the dairy cow

3.  Every time you bend over to tie your shoes you cramp up like a freaking pretzel

2.  You run fifty yards then puke you ever-lovin' guts out

1.  You've just finished last year's marathon

~ Thanks to David Letterman ~