Athlete Corner

The science, minus the jargon — read it, then send it to a teammate

The athletes who last aren't the toughest ones. They have a few people they can actually talk to — and know who to go to when it's bigger than that.

If someone summed you up in two words, would both be about your sport? Caring isn't the problem — only having one room is.

Most people never actually ask. Asking doesn't mean you're quitting — it usually means the opposite.

Ice baths don't hurt your running or riding, don't really fight soreness, and definitely aren't burning extra calories. Here's what actually matters.

Everyone argues about protein grams and perfect snacks. What actually makes or breaks your season is simpler: eat enough to match your training.

The flat, tired, stalled swimmer usually isn't overtrained — they're under-fueled. Fuel the training you're actually doing.

Someone online says easy miles are junk and you should just train hard. The truth: easy running works — most runners just do it too fast.

The riskiest run isn't your weekly total creeping up. It's one session that's way longer than anything you've done lately.

Getting stronger helps you run using less energy. One of the easiest ways doesn't beat up your legs at all — you just hold still.

Getting lighter and faster can feel like winning. Sometimes it's the first sign your body is running on empty.

Transitions are triathlon's fourth discipline — and the easiest place to get faster. The trick is the opposite of what you'd think.

A runner or cyclist's first month in the pool feels brutal. Here's why fitness doesn't save you in the water — and what actually does.