Runner's Tribe

The world of ultrarunning demands athletes to push beyond their perceived limits. In this challenging discipline, trail and ultrarunners engage in meticulous training to measure and understand exercise intensity. While technology has significantly influenced the training methods across various endurance sports, including heart rate monitoring, there's a growing recognition among experts and coaches of the efficacy of Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE).

In a daring move that has taken the athletics world by surprise, Africa's swiftest sprinter, Ferdinand Omanyala, has opted for a significant change in coaching as he readies himself for the highly awaited Olympic Games set to unfold in Paris, France. Omanyala, who was previously under the mentorship of the renowned coach Duncan Ayiemba, has made a strategic transition, entrusting his training to the able hands of coach Geoffrey Kimani. This strategic move aims to propel Omanyala to the pinnacle of his career, starting with a promising outing at the Olympic Games and a packed 2024 season.

Yohan Blake, renowned as the 2011 World 100m champion, is embarking on an extraordinary journey to secure a spot on Jamaica's 2024 Olympic Games roster in Paris, as he approaches his 34th birthday in December. Despite experiencing recent setbacks, Blake remains steadfast in his determination to represent his nation in an impressive fourth Olympic Games.

In a magnificent showcase of athletic prowess, Femke Bol hailing from the Netherlands and Jakob Ingebrigtsen representing Norway, have once again secured the coveted titles of European Athletes of the Year. This prestigious honor was bestowed upon them at the dazzling annual Golden Tracks award ceremony held in Vilnius, Lithuania this past Saturday.

Ethiopia's Likina Amebaw and Burundi's Celestin Ndikumana ascended as the champions of the latest season's World Athletics Cross Country Tour at the Cross Internacional Zornotza. On a radiant Sunday in Amorebieta, Spain, these two athletes delivered remarkable performances and etched their names as the inaugural gold event victors of the season.

Valencia, Spain - In a riveting exhibition of skill and determination, Kibiwott Kandie clinched victory in the men's category of the esteemed Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich on a balmy Sunday. With perfect weather gracing the event - a comfortable 15°C at the starting line and nary a breath of wind - Kandie, a former world record-holder, delivered a remarkable performance by crossing the finish line at an astounding 57:40. This secured his third win in Valencia while fending off some tough competition.

At the past two world championships, Eugene22 and Budapest23, there were 108 places available in the 10,000 metres. Guess how many were filled by Australians? One, just one. A big ‘come on down’ to Jack Rayner who ran the 10,000 in Oregon. In Budapest, there were no Aussies.

The world of running, exhilarating and health-boosting as it may be, is not devoid of lurking risks. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or just stepping onto the running path, the specter of injuries can rear its head. Comprehending the underlying factors fueling these injuries is critical for both foresight and recuperation. Three fundamental culprits often stand out as the driving forces behind running-related injuries: stress, muscular imbalances, and overuse.

Endurance training, widely celebrated for its health benefits, now presents a paradoxical twist. Recent research delves into a surprising connection between strenuous exercise and atrial fibrillation, or A-fib. This irregular and rapid heart rhythm condition, though often benign, holds potential risks for athletes.

In the current landscape of fitness and technological progress, the arena of health data has become remarkably accessible. Most GPS timepieces now incorporate heart rate monitoring as a standard feature, offering valuable insights into how your heart reacts to the rigors of running. Nevertheless, it's only natural for runners to ponder whether their heart rate during exercise falls within the realm of health and safety. Recently, we connected with Dr. Dan Augustine, a distinguished sports cardiologist, to elucidate some of the frequently raised queries concerning running and heart rate.