Half-Marathon Training with Runner’s World

It’s Friday and on Sunday I’m running the Philadelphia half-marathon. This is the third of four half-marathons I’m running in less than a year. This is not an amazing feat compared to Dana Casanave who ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks, but it is amazing for my body considering the hell it has been through and that doctors didn’t know if I would even walk again.

 

 

I’m running it with the Runner’s World Challenge, so I’ve been getting a weekly email from Bart Yasso, (Chief Running Officer for Runner’s World) with great articles covering nutrition, apparel and more. Plus I had various training schedules to choose from based on my ability.

I feel prepared for the race… not quite on top of the world, but yet ready to do it. Since my last few months have been busy, with the release of Because I Can, I’ve only done about 80% of the workouts on my schedule, but since that is the standard rule of thumb to have a successful race, I think I’ll be fine.

Along with doing the required training runs, the week leading up to a race is important also. What I do or don’t do in the last week can make or break my race.

Other than a few short, easy runs earlier this week, I didn’t run a lot this week. I’ve found for my legs to be totally rested on race day, they need more rest in the days prior to a race then they did pre-accident.

Here’s some other important things I do leading up to a race…

Get enough sleep 
Drink plenty of water
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables 
Eat enough protein
Trim toenails (important!)
Stretch, stretch and stretch.

Stretching is important for everyone… and it’s especially crucial for a body like mine with so many injuries. If I don’t keep my legs stretched, I will feel it on race day. By feeling it, I mean about halfway through the race, my left leg will feel like it has a knot in it. This will progressively get worse, forcing me to walk more than run… and maybe even having to stop to massage and stretch it. I’ve had this happen during training runs when I didn’t prepare enough, so I’m doing my best to avoid that.

I did an hour of yoga on Wednesday and will do yoga again this afternoon. Plus I’ve been doing a few stretches most mornings and evenings all week.

A major benefit of the Runner’s World Challenge is the perks on race weekend.

First on my list of events is the Shakeout Run (the itinerary says it will be two to three miles, I plan to find a shortcut and only do an easy mile or two) on Saturday at 9am, with Bart Yasso and others from Runner’s World.

Later in the day, I’ll go to Health and Fitness Expo where I will probably take in more seminars than walking around so I don’t tire my legs. I will also meet more of the Runner’s World editors and experts at a PRERACE STRATEGY SESSION with them.

Then on race day, Runner’s World has a special lounge for all the challengers (about 300) indoors at the Four Seasons. Which means along with good pre and post race food, we get the most important thing available to a runner. Instead of standing outdoors in long lines to use smelly porta pots before the race… we will be using a private, indoor porcelain throne! (Now you’re jealous, right?)

I don’t know if I’ll be blogging over the weekend, but I plan to post real-time pictures on Facebook and Twitter and I’ll do a recap post of the weekend and race next week.

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Have you done a half or a full marathon?
If so, what advice do you have for the week or days before a race?