As marathon season ramps up, experts say optimizing performance may be less about running harder and more about training smarter. In a recent New York Times article, Pamela Geisel, MS, MBA, CSCS, PCES, RRCA Run Coach, exercise physiologist and Director of Performance & Wellness Services at HSS, shared key strategies to reduce injury risk, including building mileage gradually, keeping easy runs easy, prioritizing recovery and sleep, strength training, addressing pain early, and avoiding overreliance on fitness tracker data.

“Most of your long runs should be at a truly easy pace,” said Geisel. Easy runs help build endurance while allowing the body to adapt to training demands without unnecessary strain.

Consistency, recovery, strength building, and listening to your body remain some of the most effective ways runners can stay healthy and strong throughout training.

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