The Break-Up: Coping With Your Separation From Running
Dimity McDowell had built her life around running. But to stay pain-free, she had to accept that it was time to put the running shoes away—for good.
Latest
What Runners Need to Know About Ozempic
Some athletes are turning to the prescription drug to regulate their weight - here’s why experts say that’s dangerous.
Running Vacations: Women Are Exploring the World On Two Feet
Whether you like group or do-it-yourself adventures, there are plenty of options for runners itching to see the world, or take a break a little closer to home.
When a Running Coach Becomes a Social Media Influencer
Athena Manolakos meets runners where they are—online—in hopes that she can introduce people to running, connect with clients, and have fun along the way
Meredith Edwards Is on Denali, Gunning for an FKT
The ultra runner and endurance skier is open to whatever the mountain gives her—she wants to experience a new adventure and inspire other women to do the same
Lululemon is Pushing the Boundaries for Female Athletes by Launching ‘FURTHER’
The sportswear brand is backing scientific studies to understand women’s sports performance
Memorial Day Sales Deals for Runners
In between your runs this long weekend, take some time to peruse these run-focused Memorial Day Weekend sales.
After Enduring a Tragedy, Maggie Montoya is Blossoming as a Marathon Runner
The Bolder Boulder 10K pro race will feature two teams of top American women and Montoya will be among them representing Team USA.
We Need to Change How Kids (and Adults) Learn About Weight
Virginia Sole-Smith’s new book, ‘Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture,’ takes an unflinching look at fatphobia and how it affects our collective ideas about health
Molly Seidel’s Journey To Embracing Imperfect Mental Health Advocacy
For Mental Health Awareness Month, Olympian Molly Seidel partnered with New York Road Runners to share the message that when it comes to mental health, it’s all about progress, not perfection.
Easy Recovery Foods for When Your Legs Are Jelly
Recovery cookies? Count us in. These post-run snacks can be whipped up with little to no effort.
Can a Race be a Transformative Spiritual Event?
When she first lined up at the Bolder Boulder 10k in 1999, Amanda McCracken had no idea the race would punctuate the next twenty-plus years of her life
The Quest for a Simpler Way to Boost Running Efficiency
Plyometrics can make you a more efficient runner, and it turns out they don’t need to be complicated or risky
Seven Great Running Shoes for $120 or Less
These bargain picks cost half as much as top-end supershoes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be super in them
Meet My Faster Half
Come meet the partners of elite women runners and get a glimpse into how they support their faster halves
Running and Chronic Illness: Between Two Worlds
Runners with chronic illness inhabit two faraway worlds–one characterized by fitness, and one characterized by debilitating symptoms and daily uncertainty
Membership
Exclusive, subscribers-only content.
Join Outside+ See AllNutrition
Post-Run Apple Nachos for the Win
Whip up this sticky, easy, carb-filled recovery plate after a tough endurance workout
360 YOU
360 YOU: Learn to Run by Effort
You've heard about running based on effort, here's how you actually implement it.
Gear
2,000 Miles of Testing: The Best Road-Running Shoes of Winter 2023
We put almost 35 running shoes through their paces. These 7 came out ahead for the start of 2023.
Run-inspo
How Brittany Charboneau Keeps Her Running Fun
We all should take a lesson from the “gamifying the run” approach.
Watch
45-Minute Strength Workout from Nell Rojas
The superfast runner is also a coach—here's her go-to weight lifting workout.
Listen
Alexi Pappas Discusses Her New Book
An hourlong chat with Alexi Pappas about Bravey.
Essential Read
11 Reasons Your Heart Rate is High on Easy Runs
If you've ever wondered why your heart rate is high, even on easy runs, here's why you may be feeling a rapid beat—and when to worry about it.
That heart-pumping, give-it-your-all feeling is one of the reasons many of us run in the first place. And a ramped-up heart rate during any type of exercise is not only normal, it’s necessary. But when is a high heart rate, especially on an easy run or jog, cause for concern?
As you increase your effort level from a walk to a jog and beyond, your muscles require more oxygen to produce energy. To get it there, your heart needs to increase your cardiac output—the number of liters per minute of oxygen-rich blood it pushes through your arteries, says Dr. Elaine Wan, Esther Aboodi associate professor of medicine in cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology at Columbia University Medical Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons and attending physician at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
That figure is the product of your heart rate and one other factor: your stroke volume, or the amount of blood pushed out with each pulse. Regular training can boost your stroke volume over time, but in the moment, the only way for your heart to meet increased demands is to pick up the pace.
RELATED: How to Use Heart Rate Training in Your Workouts Like a Pro
Regular runners tend to have lower heart rates at rest and at every level of physical activity, from light to moderate to intense, says Dr. Ruwanthi Titano, a cardiologist with Mount Sinai Health System. In fact, runners often cruise through the first few stages of stress tests—cardiology exams that require increasingly hard efforts on the treadmill.