By Amy, on July 26th, 2010%
Last weekend, I completed my first half marathon. I wasn’t first, and I wasn’t last. My time was, well, twice that of some of my friends, but in the end it didn’t matter. I checked the ol’ half marathon off my bucket list. I also learned some valuable lessons throughout training and the race itself. Oh, and I got a kick-arse medal. Let’s not forget about the medal.
Before the race:
Pee. Trust me on this.- Drink lots of water all week long, especially the day before and morning of the race. This is why #1 is important.
- Don’t drink four margaritas 18 hours pre-race, even if you tell yourself it’s okay because you’re getting top-shelf margaritas on the rocks with extra lime and salt on the rim. Margarita salt is not an acceptable substitute for an electrolyte sports drink.
- Go to the race expo. Pick up your packet. Make some impulse purchases you will later regret because everyone else is buying that balance bracelet. Stare at your race bib. Smack yourself in the head for thinking you could actually do a half marathon.
- Follow a training plan. There are so many plans out there – find one that works for you and your schedule. Mine included 3 days/week of walking and/or running, 1-2 cross training or strength training days and 1 active recovery/yoga/pilates/easy walk day.
- Don’t be afraid to modify the plan. I suffered many setbacks due to knee problems and a sprained foot/ankle. I made adjustments (like biking or doing the elliptical instead of walking or running because they were low-impact). I had to cut one long “run” short because my foot hurt so bad.
» Continue reading Lessons I learned from my first endurance race
By Guest Author, on July 20th, 2010%
Guest post by Tim Cigelski – Originally posted on beerrunner.draftmag.com
Seems like you’re doing something wrong if you run 19 miles on a 13.1 mile course. But I just did that, and it was one of my favorite races ever.
It actually had nothing to do with the wine at the end.
Since March I’ve been coaching the Wisconsin chapter of Team Challenge, a half marathon training group raising money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. This morning about 1,000 Team Challenge members from around the country met in a vineyard to run the Napa to Sonoma Half . . . → Read More: Beer Runner in Wine Country
By Tracey, on March 25th, 2010%
Spring is finally here (well, I hope) and that means race season is just around the corner! There’s only a few weeks left for those of you training for the Wisconsin Half Marathon on May 1st so hopefully your mileage is increasing at a steady pace. If you’re running the full 26.2 mile race that day, or later in Rockford, Illinois on the May 16th, I’m sure you already know the most intense long runs are coming up in the next few weeks. Many of you may already be following training plans but if you’re a first timer who’s . . . → Read More: Game Plans: Half and Full Marathon Training
By Tracey, on February 9th, 2010%
What do you mean a half marathon is too scary? You’ve got 2 1/2 months to train, right? Let’s do it together.
Fit Milwaukee is getting together a group of runners to run a half marathon on Saturday, May 1st in Kenosha! (There is a full 26.2 mile marathon that day as well but this time we’re participating in the half.) We’ll be trying to train together for some Saturday morning long runs as well as caravanning to Kenosha on race day. If you’re having doubts about whether or not you’d be able to train and complete it . . . → Read More: 13.1 Miles: Who’s In?
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