If you've read any of my other blogs you will learn that I myself and battling my weight only meaning i’m the heaviest I've ever been, and I’m not counting lbs i’m talking over all size. I absolutely hate it so I thought training for this marathon and running would help out a great deal, well I was an idiot. I had no idea what running does for your body or what can happen when you start running but let me tell you it’s interesting.
Here are some hints, tips, and tricks about running if you are unfamiliar or looking to start running. By no means do I enjoy running, but it is a great workout, and can really help in weight loss and speeding your metabolism up. In training for this race I ran a 10K which is 6.2 miles, and I did OK. That is about my happy length I don’t mind running. After this race i’m pretty sure I will not be running another half or marathon anytime soon, but 10k’s and smaller runs are not so bad.
I’m not a fast runner at all, and running for 2+ hrs seems like a nightmare to most, so some tips and tricks you need to get past your 3 mile mark.
Things needed:
1. Body Glide!
- This is a necessity for women to stop the chaffing, and yes you will chafe no matter how small you are.
- Lightweight, winter weight, quick dry, anything spandex (not cotton). I enjoy wearing spandex capri's so my legs don’t chafe, a racer back tank top that is lightweight and flowy, the best sports bra you can find (this is super important if you are a little “top heavy”), and high ankle socks for your shoes (your ankles will get blisters if not)
- Shoes are super important if your going to spend money on anything for running get good running shoes, and talk to another runner to find out what they use or go to a running store where someone will fit you for the right size and fit shoe.
- Wireless Bluetooth headphones are awesome, different apps such as Strava that keeps track of your runs indoor or out, or diet apps to make sure you are eating enough, a watch to keep your pace and overall time, something to hold your stuff (I use a “Flipbelt” it holds everything from keys, money, gel packs, chews, gum and is awesome for doing other things too and way cooler than a fanny pack), chews (for long runs), gel packs (again for long runs), some sort of water carrier for long runs unless you don’t mind carrying it, an armband for you phone/iPod.
Tips and Tricks
1. Running without underwear is prob the best option!
- If you think it’s gross well the first time you get a bad chafe you will not wear them again I promise. Some shorts have built in underwear which tend to be a little better if you get weirded out about not having anything on.
- It makes running much easier
- You should be able to have a slight conversation and not be completely out of breathe, but also not be able to talk easily. This doesn't mean don’t push yourself on a single run or at the end of a run to help increase your endurance.
- I know some people like to run different areas to see scenery, but I have been running the same spot on the rail trail and love it. I have markers of, “Yes the bridge! Only 1.5 miles to go…” or whatever the case may be.
- If you are running inside put the incline up to 1.5 or 2. Most treadmills are not perfectly straight at 0 incline, and can give you shin splints if not adjusted.
- Listen to your body, eat when you're hungry, don’t force yourself to eat if you’re not, if you’re going for long runs eat an hr before and carbs are your friend. I've had to increase my calories on long running days and man am I thankful that I did. If you are unsure what to eat look it up there are meals plans every where.
- When they do rest! It’s so easy to think something is better and as soon as you start running it’s right back, good shoes will help with this as well as listening to your body.
- If you think they are gross now, wait till you start running. Mucus, saliva, gas, frequent urination, #2 bathroom issues. Body fluids are things that just happen when you start running, your body has increased its saliva production to help keep your mouth moist which may make you spit… A lot. Mucus is always there, and snot rockets are totally allowed… they don’t make tissue trees outside. Talk about bodily functions of gas, #1 and #2… it’ll hit you at any given moment. All of a sudden you're at mile 6 of 10 and you need to use the outdoor bathroom, or you get the wrenching gut pain and think “Oh No! Not now!” (and I know all my runners out there are smiling right now cause it’s happened to us all and makes us laugh), but eating the right things before a run can have a huge factor of how you feel, and i’m not talking an hour before, i’m talking days before.
- Find or make a good playlist, it definitely helps the time go by.
I’m super excited to run this half marathon, and i’m sure my next blog will be about the aftermath and what happened during this run. I hope this gave some insight on running, and for those of you that love it and could run at any given time, Kudos to you. That is awesome! Continue running, or try it out. You don’t have to be a fast runner to be an avid runner, it’s all about commitment to being a healthy, happy, stronger, positive you!
"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail"
-Benjamin Franklin