Marathons: Do Slow Runners Disrespect the Event?

The universal symbol of running has always been the winged foot, an embodiment of the pursuit of speed.

But that emblem has begun to give way to a new symbol -- the penguin -- that reflects a growing movement of extremely slow runners who are changing the character of American road racing.

Embracing a kind of slow chic, this new breed of runners emphasizes fun over achievement, rejecting the traditional asceticism of road racing for a more relaxed, noncompetitive ethos. They have cheerfully adopted the penguin for its girth and its waddling gait, and they amble their way through marathons, stopping not only for a drink but to dance or cheer or simply take in the flowers. Many members of this new wave in running will be on display Sunday during the 30th New York City Marathon.

Home Remedies for Leg and Foot Injuries

A couple months back, I ramped up the mileage, increased my speed, and changed shoes.

Ooops.

That all was a bit more than my body could handle, at least my lower extremities.

I woke up one Monday morning and both my hips hurt, my IT bands were killing me, and the left side of my left foot was experiencing mild pain.  Two weeks later, I've tried just about every remedy I can find, and I must say, some of them actually work.

Want Your Legs to Recover Faster? Run Slower

This hasn't been a good week in my running life.

Left IT band inflamed and sore. Left side of left foot achy and sore. Should I just run through it? Someone recommended a regimen of icing and stretching. Cross train maybe? Switch over to biking. Perhaps some ellipticizing?