Pete at the HAT Run 50K
Runblogger is edited and authored almost exclusively by Peter Larson. I’m a husband to a wonderful wife, a father of three awesome little kids, a recovering academic, and a rather obsessive runner with a major shoe problem!
This site was launched in early 2009 as a place for me to share my thoughts on a wide variety of topics. However, I became hopelessly hooked on running and slowly found my writing focusing more and more on topics related to the sport. As a biologist, I developed an interest in running science, and a bit of an obsession with running shoes and running form. I began accumulating running shoes and writing reviews of them, and the site started to take off.
I now consider writing Runblogger to be my primary job, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
For the quick summary of who I am and what I do, continue reading, for a more in-depth history, read this.
If you’d like to be updated regularly on posts written here on Runblogger (as well as receive recommended running posts from around the web), subscribe to my weekly newsletter using the form below (one email per week, usually on Mondays):
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Gait Filming at Craftsbury
Pete’s Professional Background
I earned a Ph.D. in biology at Ohio University in 2003, and worked for 10 years as an anatomy professor at a small college in Manchester, New Hampshire. I left that job in Spring 2013 to pursue my passion for all things running full-time. I currently work as a writer, running coach, and a running gait analyst and exercise physiologist at Performance Health Spine and Sport Therapy in Concord, NH. I consult regularly with shoe companies on product reviews and testing, and do a bit of work in footwear development.
Pete’s Running Background
Since 2007 I’ve completed nine marathons (including Boston), one ultramarathon, and numerous shorter distance races (you can view my entire race history on Athlinks). I’m currently a member of Team Wicked Bonkproof, a group of like-minded runners led by Coach Caleb Masland. I do a bit of coaching myself, including co-coaching beginner and intermediate 5k programs through the Concord Recreation Department, and I’m a staff coach at the adult summer running camps at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Craftsbury, VT.
| Race PR’s: 400m – 64 sec (2013) 5K – 18:51 (2008) 4 Mile – 25:55 (2010) 5 Mile – 34:25 (2008) 10K – 44:22 (2007) 10 Mile – 1:12:17 (2009) 13.1 Mile – 1:27:36 (2012) 26.2 Mile – 3:15:21 (2010 – BQ) 50K – 5:52:48 (2011) |
 Running the Smuttynose Half |
Pete’s Writing
In addition to what I post here on Runblogger, I’ve also written a book and have had articles published in both scholarly journals and popular magazines. Below is a list of my off-blog writings on running-related topics.
Books
Academic Articles
Larson, Higgins, Kaminski, Decker, Preble, Lyons, McIntyre, Normile. 2011. Foot strike patterns of recreational and sub-elite runners in a long-distance road race. Journal of Sport Sciences 29(15):1665-1673.
Larson, P. 2012. Foot strike in runners: Influence on injury risk. Lower Extremity Review, June 2012.
Popular Press Articles
Runner’s World Online: An Evolutionary Runner
Running Times Magazine: Facts on Foot Strike
Interviews
In addition to my own writing, I’m fortunate to have been interviewed by both media outlets and fellow content producers in the on-line world. If you are interested in interviewing me or having me write an article for your publication, send me an email with specifics. Here’s a selection of my interviews:
Written Interviews
Runner’s World On-Line: Brief Chat: Peter Larson, Form Book Author
Examiner.com: Dr. Peter Larson shares healthy-running tips in book ‘Tread Lightly’
University Affairs: Interview About Leaving Academia to Become a Blogger
Podcast Interviews
Trail Runner Nation: So You’re a Heel Striker – It May Be OK!
Geeks in Running Shoes (1, 2, and 3)
Run, Run, Live: Pete Larson, Tread Lightly
The Runner’s Round Table: (Running Form 1, Running Form 2, Marathon Training)
Other Media
Pete has also been interviewed by journalists for articles published in Runner’s World Magazine, Runner’s World UK, Competitor Magazine, Triathlete Magazine, Running Times Magazine, Men’s Health Magazine, Women’s Health Magazine, SELF Magazine, The New York Times Magazine
I read your article about kids shoes with interest and wondered if you had an opinion on toddlers (2 yr old boy) wearing boots. The brand I love are a New Zealand company called Bobux – their shoes fit the description of what to look for in kids shoes – but I wondered if a boot may restrict a child’s ankle movement unnecessarily?
Would appreciate your thoughts.
If they wear boots when needed I see no problem, but may not be best choice for all day everyday wear if they are to stiff and restrictive.
Your article/interview with Dr. Cucuzzella: https://runblogger.com/2011/01/proper-shoes-for-kids-thoughts-from.html
The link to trtreads.org with Dr. Rosso’s article has been changed. Don’t know if you want to fix that or not. Just thought I’ let you know.
Thanks for the great research on Kids running shoes! I’ve been looking for better shoes for my kiddos since they’re starting to run more, and are old enough now to do it longer etc. Your article was great!
Thanks Lindsay!
Hi,
I just wonder if your book will be available in Kindle edition? Have mostly stopped buying paper books, and would like to be able to purchase your book in electronic form.
Best,
Grunde
It is available on Kindle, not sure if availability varies by country though.
Hi,
When I follow the link on this page it’s only avaliable in “paperback” and “audible” format. On my Kindle it’s not available in the store either :-(
Not sure if it’s because I have a Norwegian address or for other reasons.
Best,
Grunde
Could be due to the country by country restrictions, not sure. When I go to Amazon the Kindle option is available, so maybe they screen base on your IP address?
I’m very delighted by having a look at your site and your story as how you began. I am also an avid running and working to start my own blog. Your work give me confidence to start and build on.
Thanks,
Parvesh Jangid
love your guys, very exciting life.
I am looking for knowledge and experiences of other people about running with a built up shoe. I have a half inch build up in my right shoe but am interested in jogging. I have been afraid of doing this, but recently have found that I can just treat minor hip pain that results from jogging with ice, and sometimes I don’t even need ice. I get more pain free jogs on the treadmill. Has anyone else had a jogging/running career after getting their running shoes built up? I would be very excited to find one or more people who have been able to jog with a built up shoe or know about someone who has.
HI Pete, I know you’re very busy, but I’ve been waiting to read a review of the Mizuno Wave Cruise. I’m interested to see if you liked it or not. I’m a big fan of the Hitogami and I’m curious to see how they compare.
Just ordered a pair of New Balance 1400 v4’s after reading several of your reviews! I will receive them this Wednesday, and was wondering what you thought of using them new for Bloomsday this weekend? Are they a shoe that needs to be broken a bit more, or do you think I’ll be safe? I have run Bloomsday in a pair of Kinvara’s that were a day old without trouble before.
Unable to subscribe to the news letter….Something thinks I’m a spammer….
Pete, I have a question, I hope you can help me. i am conducting a study on running between toddlers and adult, then i found out the vertical average loading rate, and vertical instantaneous loading rate are the same of the two groups. what is your explanation with this
I have a painful stiff big toe (diagnosed hallux rigidus) and I’d like to get any advice regarding treatment and shoe use. I’ve tried many things including PT to increase my range of motion in all aspects of my stride as well as many shoes and inserts. I understand this is not uncommon and would love to know what other runners have had success with. I tried Volmeros and Hoka one Bondi with not much success.
Just failed on my BQ this past Sunday.. all my training went great.. did it ALL by the book.. on pace at half then of all things BONKED at 14!!! No idea what happened.. chalked it up as bad day— since I ran only 14 and feel fine would it be ok to try another race in 2 weeks?
I also hydrated and carbo loaded sufficiently