Blog Posts by From the editors of Runner's World

It doesn't matter if you're just beginning to run or you're a marathon veteran: running injuries can happen to anyone. And when a runner gets hurt, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), shinsplints, or runner's knee usually is the diagnosis. Allison Lind, a physical therapist in New York City, developed an exercise program that will make you less vulnerable to these five injuries. Do them together as a prerun routine.

1. Prevent ILIOTIBIAL BAND SYNDROME with side-leg raisers Prevent ITBS by strengthening the gluteus medius muscle near the hip. When it's weak, another upper-leg muscle overcompensates and pulls on the ITB, causing pain along the outside of the leg, down to the knee.

Lie on your side with your hips and legs stacked. Lift your top leg up, keeping it straight, but point your toes inward and toward the ground to isolate the gluteus medius. Hold for 30 seconds, then release. Roll over so your opposite leg is on top, and repeat. Do three

Did you resolve to take up running this year? Maybe it's not even the first time you've set such a goal. If you don't know where to begin or have tried running before, but didn't stick with it, we can help you become a runner for life. And who doesn't want to reap running's weight-maintaining and mind-clearing benefits for life?

Runner's World has the perfect 10-week plan designed to get you to the point where you can run 30 minutes without stopping. The simple program designed by Budd Coates, Director of Employee Fitness and Health at Rodale, Inc. (parent company of Runner's World), begins with more walking than running, and gradually evolves into more running than walking.

Before you start this schedule, see a doctor to get cleared for physical activity. Then get your legs ready with eight days of walking: walk for 20 minutes a day for the first four days, then increase to 30 minutes a day for four more days. Now you're ready to begin with week 1.

Get inspirational

The holidays are not the best time to try to lose weight, but you can resolve to maintain your weight amid this time of buffet dinners, home-baked desserts, endless cookies, and sugary cocktails. The key to dining and drinking without guilt (or weight gain) is to bounce back from those indulgences. To that end, we've enlisted the help of two experts-Greg McMillan, a kinesiologist and running coach, and Tara Gidus, a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics-to develop a day-after plan to help you recover from the biggest nutritional splurges of the season.

The 20 best weight loss foods

Holiday Indulgence #1: Buffet Feast

Food For Thought: Eat a Hearty Breakfast

Strange but true: After a big turkey or ham dinner, you go to bed feeling like a Butterball pinata yet still wake up ravenous. The worst thing you can do is try to starve yourself in a vain attempt to make up for overeating. Instead, Gidus recommends grabbing a smart breakfast with 300 to 400 calories

Some people find "The Biggest Loser" supremely inspirational, while others question the combination of extreme caloric restriction and hours of intense daily exercise. Participants, who consume 800 to 1,600 calories a day, may start with 30 second run intervals, but they're done at 10% incline and run as fast as possible. And, in the final six weeks of the 18-week program, they train for a marathon. We say that's too much too soon.

But no one can debate that participants lose stunning amounts of weight and half of them keep it off for good. For a story in our February issue, we profiled the final four contestants on their journey toward the marathon, caught up with former contestant who are still running, and got more realistic advice from Robert Huizenga, M.D., designer of the show's fitness regime. I'll have some nutritious advice to share with you in my next post.

The Biggest Loser Contestants Run A Marathon

Don't have five hours to exercise every day like "Biggest Loser"

Not sure what to get the runner in your life this holiday season? Need a reason to nudge well-meaning but clueless friends and family members? Here's my list of the eight best gifts for runners, ranging from $10 to $100.More from Runner's World

Holidays are certainly joyous, but family gatherings, holiday parties, and office functions can bump running right off your to-do list. Fortunately, you don't need to spend a lot of time to maintain your fitness during this busy time of year. Our advice? Split working out into 20-minute chunks and you'll make staying on track seem less daunting. The following 20-minute (or less) workouts cover all the bases of strength, speed, and endurance well enough so you can start the New Year strong.

How to build a better body

Build Endurance: BREAK IT UP
Stringing together several 20-minute runs across a single day can boost your stamina. Identify a day that's destined to be booked with chores. Go for an easy 20-minute run, spend the next hour or two running errands or doing things around the house, then head out for another 20-minute run. Do up to three of these segments once per week.

Boost Energy: RUN, DON'T NAP
Thinking of curling up on the couch to rest your eyes? Lace up and head out

This Sunday is the 41 st New York City Marathon. More than 40,000 people will run 26.2 miles in the five boroughs, making it the largest marathon in the world. The allure of such a great physical test is tempting for professional athletes, everyday runners, and celebrities alike. Heck, Oprah, Will Ferrell, and P. Diddy have all gone the distance.

This year, you're likely to hear more about the New York City Marathon in the media than you ever have before (if you have at all.) That's because Chilean miner Number 12, Edison Peña, will run from Staten Island to Manhattan. While the 33 miners were trapped half a mile underground for 69 days, Peña ran. He covered up to six miles a day by running back and forth in mine passages, listening to Elvis Presley on an iPod. Peña has never run more than 10 miles at one time, but on Sunday, he'll further test his mettle as the world watches.

Video: Preview the NYC marathon and its exciting course.

If you watch the race or hear about Pe

If you've thought about running but talked yourself out of trying it, we'd like to say this: Snap out of it. Running is simple way to lose weight, tone muscles, and gain cardiovascular fitness. And it doesn't require a gym membership, lots of equipment, or other people to do it with-you just lace up and head out the door. Anyone can run, including you. So if you've ever told yourself that you couldn't possibly be a runner, read on and think again.

1. "I'm too slow."
Sorry, but there is no such thing as "too slow." Watch any race and you'll see people of all ages and sizes running every pace from sprint to walk. Running is running, no matter the speed.

2. "I'm overweight and running will stress my joints."
Shedding excess pounds will make running feel easier and reduce your risk of injury, but you don't have to wait for some magic number on the scale. You can start safely by incorporating running into walks. Begin with five minutes of walking. Then run gently for