Everyone has their thing. Some people are talented knitters. Some can cook. Others can name every movie produced in 1974. I can run.
It started at birth honestly. I was born on April 19th, the day of the Boston Marathon a few blocks from the finish line. My mom still says she remembers how full the hospital was with injured runners and exhausted patients.
After that it all came natural to me. I loved being chased by my brother so I could show that I was faster. I was unstoppable.
High school I was a Cross Country kid. I did Track and Field, but it was only because I needed to train during the off season and it was the easiest way to schedule a work out session with coaches to help work on my form.
Since then it hasn't been all downhill (literally of figuratively), but I have loved every minute of it. I've run the Boston Marathon thrice, and countless other races and now I'm just staying with my pace for whatever next race I decide to do.
Looking back if I did one thing differently I wish I had listened more carefully to my coaches in high school. They knew what they were doing, they knew how to explain it, and I didn't listen as much as I should have. The advice they gave me would have helped improve my form, stamina, energy, everything probably.
So now I will share my advice with you. The tips that I have never had anyone tell me, but I wish I really had known before I ran my first marathons.
First, always make sure you have practiced the course before hand. This probably is on running websites as a piece of advice, so it isn't unique maybe. But it is important. Do it.
Running the course allows you to know how to mentally and physically handle the course. I've known the Boston course my whole life, so it never was much new to me. But whenever I run a new course I have to run it.
Second, do not over eat the night before. Many runners feel that the more pasta and carbs they eat the night before a race the more stored energy they will have for the race. This is not true at all.
Most carbs take around 36 hours to burn. So the food will still be going through your system when you show up for the race the next day. Over eating isn't going to supply the extra boost energy it is only going to wipe you out.
Also do not drink every water cup put in front of you. Drink when you are thirsty, make sure you drink every few hours, but don't over indulge.
I made this mistake my second Boston race. The first time I felt really dehydrated upon completion, so I thought upping the amp before would help.
What I should have done was just drink in moderation on the race. But everyone learns the lessons differently. I learned mine after four bathroom stops.
Lastly, do not let anything mess up your mental plan. I've let myself believe that I needed to beat a certain runner of keep pace with someone to get through the race. None of this helps.
Keep your own pace. Do it. After an injury I had to walk during part of my race. I had been practicing with taking a few walking brake to give my ankle some impact rest.
But in race, I felt ashamed walking. The runners kept yelling to me, "Keep it up!" or "Come on, you've got this!" and I thought I did. I didn't. And looking back I wish I had just stuck with my own pace.
You know what your body needs when you run. You know what has worked in the past. So stick with that. Even when people tell you otherwise. Keep with your program and you'll be set.
The most important thing I could say about races though is to enjoy it. People always ask me how I stay motivated when running. I don't really know what the answer to this question is. I just love it.
Best of luck on your next race. I hope to see you at the Boston Marathon some year!
Author Resource:-
Terry Daniels may work in a bank, but when people ask what he does he says he runs. Having run countless marathons across the US, he found his time to finally share what he had never heard when training. He recommends HealthRider for exercise equipment.
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