When I can’t run I just think about it all day. More than a healthy amount. I have so much grading and laundry to do but I would rather read, think, daydream and read some more about running.
I came up with a list of what I LEARNED from my last marathon the day after the race and thought I would post it. I PR’d with this marathon and I think I will do a recap tomorrow even though it was two months ago.
I wanted to remind myself of some of these things because heck, I will be running again in 45 days.
1. 2 pieces of wheat bread with a ridiculous ammount of PB and a Nature Valley granola bar were made to be eaten by me before a race.
2. Shot blocks in your sports bra. They always fall out of my pockets but in the sports bra there isn’t a lot of extra room for them to bounce around ha.
3. Reserve your energy. Use every ounce of energy efficiently. Move horizontally, not vertical. Use your arms a little less.
4. Wear your Bondi Band. My hair was poking me in my eyeballs half the time. Heaven forbid I take a second off my time to fix it.
5. Eat and drink whether you are hungry or not. Gatorade rocks.
6. Pray. God knows how important running is to me and wants to hear from me as I do it:)
7. Run on your toes……it makes you speedier (by now you should know I have awful grammar, just roll with it)
8. The new Ipod shuffles are perfect for running. ‘Rise Against’ latest album was made specifically for me to run to…obsessed.
9. Fazoli’s breadsticks and spaghetti made for the best cheap night before the race meal.
10. Make friends with the other runners. Yeah they are your competition but they will become your biggest resources and you will learn a lot from them.
11. Smile when it hurts, people may think you are high but whatever.
Ha…doesn’t it look like I am crying/yelling. That is my version of a smile at mile 21.
MOST IMPORTANT RUNNING LESSON I HAVE EVER LEARNED:
In previous races I had a negative tone with myself. I would get frustrated when people passed me and told myself I wasn’t doing enough. At mile 8 of the Logan Marathon I realized I was sick of thinking like that, I changed my whole perspective and I truly believed this is how I PR’d.
*****BE YOUR OWN BIGGEST FAN. Cheer yourself on, act amazed with yourself, recognize that you are hard core…..for goodness sake be a little COCKY about the task you are undertaking.
Tell me about some of the lessons you have learned from your last race or any lessons you have learned from fitness accomplishments!!!!
34 comments
Keri
LOVE these and agree with you! The biggest lesson I learned in racing is also to hold back and pace properly. I would go out at a pace I couldn't even hold for a mile and then spend the next mile playing catch up and exhausting myself before the race started. Love hearing your tips. I have a feeling I am going to learn a lot from you. Can't wait until we both can run again!
Running and living
My lesson – run by feel rather than by what the watch says. Let your breathing dictate if you are ready to push harder. Can't wait to follow your training!
marathonmaiden
i see nothing wrong with the grammar in #7. that's exactly how i would have written it :)
great lessons! the lesson i've learned is to be confident. if i'm a bit full of myself when i head into a race then there's no room for the mental doubts that can plague me!
Lindsay and James Cotter
ahh yes, blocks in the bra, my favorite! My husband always coaches me and his best advice (for a half marathon) was to start off slow and relaxed. Start speeding up around mile 4, then at mile 9 go for it! That made me PR by 5 minutes. Plus just SMILING and thanking God for the ability race/run!
Lindsay and James Cotter
ahh yes, blocks in the bra, my favorite! My husband always coaches me and his best advice (for a half marathon) was to start off slow and relaxed. Start speeding up around mile 4, then at mile 9 go for it! That made me PR by 5 minutes. Plus just SMILING and thanking God for the ability race/run!
Lindsay and James Cotter
ahh yes, blocks in the bra, my favorite! My husband always coaches me and his best advice (for a half marathon) was to start off slow and relaxed. Start speeding up around mile 4, then at mile 9 go for it! That made me PR by 5 minutes. Plus just SMILING and thanking God for the ability race/run!
girlevolving.com
1. Bananas before a race make me start puking around mile 14… and it doesn't stop until I finish.
2. Encourage other runners that pass you or as you pass them.
3. Repeat the mantra: "finish what I started."
4. Chafing hurts during the race, but it burns like hell when the shower water hits it.
lauravirginia
One thing I learned from my last half marathon… PUSH yourselves. This isn't some leisurely run for heaven's sake… this is a RACE. Totally agree with number 6. I prayed non-stop all 13.1 miles!
mealsformiles
yay I loved this! I can't wait to be back running again – I was stupid today and tried it out, just to be set back with some new pain. grrr. I'd say I learned to be more confident with pace and not to hold back too much – a little pain is ok! Also, never underestimate the power of big, cheering crowds. :)
run4may
Love the tips. You bet I will be thinking of most of them for my next marathon.
Your marathon photo looks like you were just finishing blowing the camera person a kiss. lol. Very playful.
Happy Feet 26.2
AFter years of "beating my head against the wall" I have finally accepted that I will NOT be able to race well when it's HOT and HUMID, and I'm finally ok with that. For years, I've been thinking I can "learn" to run well in with heat and humidity. Now I will pick my races to race – this = freedom and brains, for me.
Have you run St. George? My FAVORITE!
cleaneatingchelsey.com
Only 45 more days!?!? Yipee!!
I think having a positive attitude is EVERYTHING – well, not everything.. but a lot. :)
Emily
So glad you found my blog! I'm excited to read and follow yours, too. You are one amazing runner! :)
ms. caboo
I learned that rubbing an anti-chaffing stick everywhere I can think of, and every place that I don't think will rub, will keep me from misery at the end of a race. If you've got any kind of chest at all, never ever forget the cleavage area! The one time I forgot, it was the only place on my body that looked chapped and wind burned. And it hurt like hell.
Other than that, remember that you can get through it no matter what, and running across the finish line is the best feeling in the world!
Colleen
"11. Smile when it hurts, people may think you are high but whatever."
AWESOME!
Great list!
-Nellie and Jonathan
When I remember to look at all the amazing runners around me (some even kicking my booty), I smile BIG because I am a PART OF THIS amazing community of RUNNERS! In those moments, I feel LOVE!
Nellie
the dawn
i cannot wait for your recap. its been pure torture to know that you are such an amazing runner, but to not have heard any of your war stories. i will prepare all my enthusiasm and excitement for the reading of your race saga! i expect to sit at your feet and learn–oh speedy one!
oh man, there are so many lessons that each marathon can teach…this last time i learned how to lean on the people around me: my training partner, a maniac that i met on the course, my husband, a student that ran with me for the last three miles…even though marathoning is done solo, its still important to pull others into the battle with you. you can train, fuel, sleep, pace, etc. perfectly, but it can all still go horribly wrong. if you have amazing people around you supporting you, nothing can pull you down!
keep the running tips coming, i seriously would buy a book if you wrote it :)
ERG
Great tips! I can't do #2…well, not sure how that would work anyway. Don't the wrappers chafe?
I have learned with each race- only one full- to start faster! I am usually way too conservative. Give it all you've got!
Also- line up for the porta johns AS SOON as you get to the race!!! :)
MuncherCruncher
You are darling! I miss you too!! Wednesday…party time. Maybe before then?
I think one of the best things I learned from running is that we are capable of far more than we push ourselves to accomplish. The human body is TRULY amazing, and we need to find that will power in us to push ourselves to do great things. Not just physically, but in all aspects of life. You are right…26.2 miles gives you aloooooot of think time.
Matt
I totally agree with all of these! I miss the ridiculous amount of miles I use to run :(
flyrunner
I'm with you, I would rather read and daydream about running than do my chores or tasks. I love your list! I can't wait to see how your next race goes! Good luck with the rest of your training!!
Mallory
Love the tips! So good and so true!
Julie
"Be your own biggest fan". I HAVE to remember to do that more often. Great post!
Like Nellie said, it's more about being a part of something, a part of a community of people out there doing it!…that's what really matters.
lindsay
that is a great "smile" photo. lol. whatever you say! the huge mountain in the back is cool.
the last 3 were my favs – make friends with the "competition", smile/have fun with it, and appreciate your body!
Mamarunsbarefoot
I've learned TONS. I think running teaches you so much about yourself and the marathon is the final chapter(at that time) in the book. You learn you are stronger than you think, that your mind doesn't always have to dictate your choices, running can be lonely but everyone out there feels the same way at that same point and time and that brings you close to all of those racers!! I've learned it only hurts for a time and although we may say never again, we always do!!
thetreadmilldiaries.com
Great lessons on running. Thanks for sharing. Like you, running is on my brain when I'm not doing it. Keeps me focused and actively out there.
Pretend this is real
10 & 11 are very true. And attitude DOES make a big difference. Great post!
misszippy
Love these lessons. I totally agree about the attitude part. I'd also add that yes, you'll hit low points, but they won't last. So get through them and then take advantage of the highs when they return.
Zaneta
LOVE this post!! Just love it!! :D Especially number 6! :D
Lizzy
love this!! (Sorry I'm stalking your blog today- my internet was down yesterday, tragedy!!)
Agree with you on the gatorade and I need to work on the last one. I get too negative with myself and allow myself to slow down… but I'm going to concentrate on the half for awhile….
Alessandra Ambrosia Bikini Gallery
Great write-up, I have bookmarked this blog so hopefully I will discover a lot more on this subject matter in the foreseeable future!
Rebecca
I am embarking on my first race ever — the LA marathon — in four weeks, and I am so thankful to have found your blog. I am sure I can learn a lot and especially gain incredible inspiration from your posts!
Lily
Hello Janae! Guess what, I have been reading and reading your blog a lot the last month because let’s face it, it’s winter and winter can be boring at times. I have really enjoyed it. Anyway, I decided just few minutes ago to read some of your previous race recaps and found this one -which particularly interested because I ran TOU in 2010. I read some scrolled and saw the picture of you after the race at the food tents. Guess what? You are talking to me in that picture! Your face has always seemed faintly familiar and now I know why! :) I remember thinking that day that you ran so awesome! That’s what we were talking about afterwards. I was impressed that you found some energy to pass me up in the last 5 miles. I remember it well.
That was my first marathon I ever ran. First one, yes. I had been running nearly everyday for 8 years and was always to chicken to run one. That race was so paramount for me. I still tear up when I sit and think of the triumph I felt for swallowing back my fears and stepping up to the plate and running that day. I am smiling now! If you have a minute or are interested you can read my take on that day.
Still smiling because I TOTALLY remember you!! :)
http://shawnlilywheatfill.blogspot.com/2010/09/nordic-track-top-of-utah-marathon.html