Marathon Training tips a la LB
I understand I am a novice…so here is some advice for you beginners out there 🙂
1. NIKE+: I know, I know I talk about this device all the time. But, the truth is if this didn’t exist I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing: Training for a Marathon. I was a three sport athlete in High School but I was NEVER a runner. Now I run. I have completed 120 runs since December 26 and have totaled 442.02 miles. And due to this training I have run 101.73 so far this month. Thanks to Nike+ and Lance Armstrong for getting my butt in gear and in shape.
2. COAT YOUR FEET IN VASELINE: before every run, long or short, I lube my feet in pertroleum jelly. After I developed a pretty awesome blood blister on my right foot someone gave me this advice—and it’s like a spa treatment. As your feet warm up from running it softens the skin and you are blister free 🙂 *oh and if you have boobs try a little bit of this on them and you won’t have any chaffing from your sports bra, very important on a long run.
3. GET A FANNY PACK: although my fanny pack and I aren’t speaking after Saturday’s run I fully recommend getting one–at least you have an option. There is no way you can carry around a waterbottle and Gatorade in your hand—not possible, I’ve tried. The fanny pack, although not attractive or stylish, will keep your hands free and your mind off that sloshing sound from your water bottle….ehhhhh I HATE THAT NOISE!
4. EAT CARBS: I have to admit it. I was a no/low carb person. But if you are training for a marathon YOU CAN NOT DO THIS. My best advice with the carbs- I always have a bagel right after my long runs and a bowl of pasta the night before my long run. I have so much energy this way. Simple advice and it works.
5. EATING WILL BECOME ANNOYING: I love to eat. I have always considered the Buffet a challenge (not a good way to live by the way!). But eating during marathon training seems like a chore sometimes. You always have to think about what you are putting into your body—will this give me enough energy?, will this make me dehydrated? and will I have to make sure I am within a mile of a bathroom at all times during my long run? <—– not fun.
6. DRINKING: You really can’t. At least not before a long run. I can’t not drink though, this is my last year in Happy Valley, so I can’t even take my own advice. But I will tell you this: run as much as me and one beer has the potential to put you out cold. Oh, lightweights!
7. WEAR SHORTS and a TANK TOP: No matter what. Regardless of the temperature pre-run you will be getting hot after running 15 miles. Don’t fool yourself. I learned this the hard way. Apartment felt like 65 degrees (LB–you have air conditioning, dummy) so I wore capri spandex—outside was 85 degrees. This was my worst run. Completely dehydrated and a total disaster. Wear shorts, ok?!
8. DRINK TOO MUCH WATER: I probably shouldn’t say that because I heard a lady internally drowned herself once…ehhhhhh. Since I have been at school I, alone, have drank 4 cases of H20. I am a water drinker by day and a water drinker by night. I only drink Gatorade on my long runs. Make sure that after the 8 or 10 mile mark you are drinking Gatorade every 2 miles. I drink water for the first 8 and then switch to the Blue Stuff. It really helps keep you going.
9. HAVE A REALLY GOOD PLAYLIST: No matter what I have my IPOD on my arm—for the Nike+—although, I have to admit I don’t always listen to music. There are times when 2 hours of silence is necessary. But when I do have an awesome playlist boombangin’ out the frizame my run is pretty much like Rocky on crack. So jam it up. And make it a wide variety. From slow to fast you need all kinds of songs.
10. YOU WILL BE ADDICTED: I am. I write about running a lot. I run a lot. ‘Nuff said.
11. EMPTY MIND: There will be times during your runs where your mind will become empty, it will kind of space out. That is the best. It’s kind of like a sanctuary on two fast moving legs. There will also be times where you think about everything and anything, those times are also great. I think running is therapy, at least for me.
12. BREATHE: Don’t forget to breathe. Get that Carbon Dioxide out of your body, it’s a poison. Do this: At the top of a really tall hill pump one fist in the air and go “Whoooooo!” That means you are breathing and that you are awesome and that you just demolished an insane incline. I do it. 7 a.m. someone is “Whooooing!” down the street—that’s me.
13. YOU WILL LOVE UPHILLS: I don’t know what it is but the downhills will start to make you feel like a slacker and you will want more uphills. It’s crazy.
That’s all I got for now. Go out for a jog, walk, or run during this beautiful weather 🙂 Soon it will be winter…not like that stops me
14. WINTER RUNNING IS THE BEST: I started in the freezing cold winter and I would trade that running weather for the 90 degree summer weather in a heartbeat. You can breathe easier and no one mows their lawns which is great. You don’t know how many people I give dirty looks to for mowing their lawns. Jerks.
I'll think about that tomorrow. 