- Get fitted for a pair of shoes at an actual running store, not just any sporting goods store. They should have you run on a treadmill to check your gait to make sure you get the right shoes. I learned the hard way that putting on a pair of shoes because they match my sweater can lead to rather large blisters. The shoes I got are Asics and feel like they are hugging my feet. I guarantee I would have bought the wrong shoes if I hadn't gone to Potomac River Running. Team In Training has worked out discounts for our chapter at a few different stores. Check with your local chapter to see what they have. I only paid $80 for a really good pair. I picked up a second pair at Dick's Sporting Goods that were on sale since I knew what I needed.
- Get new socks. Thread-bare, worn out socks can make blisters bigger than the wrong shoes. (Please learn from my mistakes!) Fleetfeet are my friends!
- This one is for the ladies: If you are well-endowed, get fitted for a sports bra by someone who knows what they're doing. Your back will thank you.
- There is a lot of "gear" out there for running in cold weather. Some of it is really helpful. Some is highly overrated. Here's what I was told. Dress as if it's 20 degrees warmer outside than it actually is, layer and remove all cotton from your wardrobe. You'll be cold when you start, but it's amazing how fast you get hot. I wear a base layer (fitted but not tight) made of some kind of cold weather fabric. Above is a pick of my newest acquisition. I run at night mostly, so I have to make sure the crazy drivers around here don't hit me. I put a short-sleeve shirt on top of this (LLS will give you one when you sign up) and cover up with a light windbreaker that I can tie around my waist when I get hot. If you're brave, running tights are very popular for winter running. No one needs to see my back side jiggling down the road, so I have a pair I wear under a light pair of running pants or shorts. I'm pretty sure Mark would applaud this, even if he's cringing at that orange thing above. I don't like running in gloves, which is another reason I like this kind of top. It has really long sleeves with a hole for my thumb to go through. I do run in a toboggan most of the time. Use your short runs to figure out what makes you comfortable.
- Hydration is something you will hear a lot about. Someone is always telling me to drink more water. I'm not doing very well with it. I'm not used to taking in a lot of water, and trying to run, drink water and not throw up is not as easy as one might think. It's necessary to drink while you run though. There are a million kind of water bottles, hydration packs and belts. I still have not worked the kinks out of this. A water bottle doesn't work for me, and I don't like anything around my waist. Next weekend, I'm going to wear my Camelbak to see if I can work with it. You can drink water, Gatorade, Powerade, whatever. It looks like some kind of Gatorade will be at the water stations at the race. I'm even told eventually they'll tell us what flavor, so you can get used to drinking that while running. I've been running while chewing gum to help keep my mouth and throat from getting dry. It's been a huge help with my asthma. Please share your solutions to staying hydrated.
- Nutrition while running is something I didn't really think about, but running or walking 13.1 miles is going to require taking in some calories and fuel during the race. This is another thing I haven't figure out yet. Talk to someone at a running store or maybe an REI about the options here. I'm trying out the gummies and jelly beans in fruit flavors. I'm hoping if I can convince my body I'm eating candy, I'll be able to get it down. There are options with caffeine and without. Try stuff out on short runs to see how they sit with your stomach. Again, please share anything you figure out on this front. Learning how to run long distances is one thing. Trying to eat while doing so is another.
- Once you're running more than 4 or 5 miles at a time, chaffing will become an issue. (When you're choosing running apparel, think about seams!) I throw this out as a heads up since I'm not running far enough to speak from experience. There is some stuff called Body Glide that will apparently become your best friend. On the recovery front, I have found something that's really helped my legs so far and that's Epsom Lotion. It's got all the benefits of taking a bath in epsom salts (which reduces soreness significantly). I ran 6 miles in two days this weekend, and my muscles weren't sore after I used the lotion. Now, if I can find something to work on my joints!
Long live the King!
-R.
One more thing to consider is the type of beverage that will be given to you along the race route. Last year it was Cytomax. You will want to try whatever beverage out prior to the race because if you are not used to it, it can and possibly will give you some bubble guts along the race and down right MESS YOU UP! Your fleet feet peeps will have the info on the liquid of choice sponsoring the race.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stacee! They're using Cytomax again. Here's a link to where you can find it near you: http://www.cytomax.com/locations.html
ReplyDeleteAnd you're right, it is very important to "practice" with what you'll be eating and drinking during the race. Personally, I'm still working on breathing and running, so I'm still not sure how I'm going to do with eating and drinking.