Our 6 Best Stories from May 2026
Our monthly recap is here In case you missed them, we’re bringing you the most-loved stories from the last month. Friends don’t let friends skip important running advice. Cheers! Minute…
In case you missed them, we’re bringing you the most-loved stories from the last month. Friends don’t let friends skip important running advice. Cheers!
If the London Marathon taught us anything this weekend, it’s that you don’t need to spend a fortune to keep pace with the best in the world. Many elite competitors at the 2026 London Marathon opted for basic technology on their wrists, according to this new story: “These Are the Cheap Running Watches Worn by the London Marathon Winners.” When you are chasing a world record, the only metrics that really matter are average pace, total time, and distance covered. Extra features like training readiness scores or hundreds of activity modes are nice to have in training, but overkill for race day. Instead, top finishers opted for affordable workhorses: men’s winner Sabastian Sawe wore a Garmin Forerunner 55 (around $167), runner-up Yomif Kejelcha sported a Coros Pace 3 ($199), and third-place finisher Jacob Kiplimo relied on a Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 ($349). Finding ways to save cash without sacrificing speed is always a win, and you can apply that same efficiency to your footwear. If you want the benefits of carbon-plated super shoes without paying $250+, you might consider trying VKTRY Performance Insoles. In our recent review, “Can VKTRY Performance Insoles Transform Any Training Shoe into A Supershoe?” Brian Metzler tested these $150 carbon-fiber inserts across multiple pairs of standard running shoes. He found that they added noticeable snappiness and a semi-firm flex pattern to softer models. During 800-meter repeats, Brian recorded a lower average heart rate when wearing the inserts. Because they slide right under your sockliner, they are highly versatile – though you should keep in mind that the fit can sometimes feel tight in shoes with lower interior volumes. A little trial and error will help you find the right shoe to match their design.
#ShoeMeTheMoney
It turns out the three most important factors in real estate also apply to your running: location, location, location. We recently covered how exercising in green and blue spaces can boost your mood, cognition, and physical health (which you can read here), and EatingWell’s “We Asked Travel Experts to Pick the Best Wellness Towns in America—Here Are the 7 Winners” takes that idea further by ranking cities where a healthy lifestyle comes most naturally. The list evaluated towns on air quality, walkability, bike lane availability, farmers’ markets, and outdoor recreation. Asheville, NC took the top spot, thanks to its walkable layout, mountain trail access, and a community deeply connected to nature and wellness. Ann Arbor, MI earned a walkability score of 98 out of 100, and offered a wide range of fitness studios. Portland, ME scored a perfect 100 for walkability and offers the 3.5-mile Back Cove Trail with coastal views. Bend, OR rounded out the list as an outdoor playground with year-round access to trails, rivers, and mountain terrain. If none of these are on your commute, the common threads are still worth pursuing: walkable neighborhoods, green space, and locally-sourced food. For runners specifically, “The Best and Worst American Cities For Runners Ranked” from Half Marathon Guide applies a few more filters – pedestrian safety, race density, and trail quality – to produce its own rankings. San Francisco topped that list, with San Diego, Seattle, Washington D.C., and Portland, OR rounding out the top five. The overlap between the two lists is telling: clean air and accessible trails tend to benefit your health whether you’re chasing a PR or simply staying active.
#WalkTheBlock
Back in the glory days of the print magazine from Runner’s World, it seemed like every issue had at least 2-3 pages of ads for dog food. Their marketing team had clearly figured out that runners like dogs. A new article from the Washington Post explains why there is a connection between active two-legged and four-legged friends: “Can having a dog boost your longevity? Here’s what science says.” Spoiler alert: the answer is “yes.” A big part of the reason is that dog owners often walk or run several miles per day with their pups. Getting those extra steps in has a proven correlation to longer life expectancy. We were even more intrigued by the story’s conclusion that the mental and emotional health benefits of living with a dog are equally consequential. A study from the University of Michigan found that “more than 8 in 10 pet owners over 50 said their dogs gave them a sense of purpose. Seven in 10 claimed they found greater joy in life because of them, and 63 percent reported that having a pet helps reduce their stress.” That type of emotional support translates directly to a happier, healthier life. If you are in the market for a new family friend or wonder where your current dog stacks up, the American Kennel Club says these are the “Best Dog Breeds for Running Companions.” Weimaraners, Vizslas and German Shorthaired Pointers top the list, but the AKC recommends many other breeds as well.
#MoreDogDays
Heart rate zones are supposed to make your training clearer, but because fitness watches rarely explain their underlying math, they often leave us with more questions than answers. That’s why we appreciate the transparency of the newly updated “McMillan Heart Rate Zone Calculator.” Instead of the standard five zones, this tool splits your cardiovascular range into six – dividing lactate threshold training into three distinct zones to give you the precise control needed to push your pace. It utilizes the heart rate reserve method to calculate personalized targets based on variables like your age, fitness level, and resting heart rate. Speaking of Coach McMillan, a few issues ago we shared how readers can get free access to his “Runner’s Core & Form Drills Routines” video library, and it was so popular we wanted to mention it again for anyone who missed out. If you need more convincing on why you should take advantage of those drills, our story “6 Core Strength Exercises Every Runner Should Do Regularly” details how building your midsection may help you move more efficiently. A strong core helps support your breathing, maintain your arm swing, and ensure smooth movement throughout a race. The guide includes exercises like the dead bug, which mimics running coordination by requiring opposite arm and leg extensions while maintaining a neutral spine. You can also try elevating standard planks by placing your feet on a BOSU ball – helpful for improving the proprioception needed for navigating uneven terrain.
#TheZoneRanger
The old “no snacking after dinner” rule can feel a bit oppressive when you’ve logged 15 miles and your body is craving fuel. According to “Why Eating Protein Before Bed May Benefit Runners,” consuming a protein-rich snack before sleep could increase muscle protein synthesis by up to 22% and improve whole-body protein balance during overnight recovery. According to the article, most endurance athletes should be hitting 1.2–1.4 grams of protein per kg of body weight per day, and a pre-sleep snack is a practical way to close that gap when daytime meals fall short. Research in the piece supports keeping your snacks small, aiming for around 20–30g of protein and about 200 calories. Greek yogurt, a protein shake, or an egg white omelet are solid options. On the other side of the coin, “Is Eating Before Bed Bad for You?” from the Cleveland Clinic offers a counterpoint. Registered dietitian Alexis Supan notes that late-night eating can work against your circadian rhythm, since eating too close to bedtime may trigger acid reflux, raise your resting heart rate, and disrupt sleep quality. Supan’s general recommendation is to stop eating about three hours before bed. For runners who train late or find hunger keeping them awake, a protein-rich snack can keep sleep-disrupting hunger at bay without the downsides of a larger meal.
#WheyPastMyBedtime
If you put us on the spot, the SMM Team agrees the Boston Marathon is our favorite race in the world. Okay, we’re a bit biased, given that our office is only a few blocks away from the finish line. Whether you agree or not, it’s hard to match the number of magic moments that come out of that race every year, and 2026 was no exception. One clip that caught our eye from @mirelsharxhi featured a runner hyping up the crowd with some dance moves on the go. Another reel shared by @_natalie.runs featured the moment Clayton Young broke free from the pack to throw out some high-fives to spectators along the course. Pretty cool of an elite competitor to interact with the fans while so much is on the line!
