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As I am finishing out my 7th week of my half marathon training I’m reminded of just how tough these distance runs are. I’m not sure I could make it through these runs or through my recovery after my runs without some key tools. My running journey has not been an easy one. I’ve had my fair share of injuries and made my mistakes along the way. Luckily I’ve learned from my mistakes (but that’s not to say I won’t make more along the way).
Since learning is a part of my journey I want to share the tools that I’ve found to be helpful during my training.
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Strength training
Our bodies need muscle to propel us forward in our runs. We need full body strength. Don’t neglect your upper body in your strength training. Be sure to build a strong core to help you with your runs. Some of my favorite strength training programs that I do from home include Chalean Extreme, 21 Day Fix Extreme and P90X3. Crossfit is another great source of strength training.
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E&E pre workout drink.
Drinking E&E right before my distance runs has given me just the boost I need to go a little bit faster and a little bit longer.
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Foam roller
This thing is painful to use, but it helps with the muscle tightness after the run. It’s one of those hurts so good kind of pain using a foam roller.
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Lots and lots of water
When you are running the distance run be sure to stay well hydrated. I can not emphasize that enough.
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Good running shoes
This time around, I am using Mizuno Wave Catalyst. I was lucky enough to be selected to try out these new Mizunos. These shoes came in just in time for my training. Normally when I get a new pair of running shoes I have to go through a couple of “break in” runs where I’ll go through some temporary soreness and slight discomfort as my body adjust to new shoes.
With my Mizunos I never went through this “break in” period. There was nothing but comfort from the beginning. So far I’ve taken these shoes for several runs on the treadmill, 3-9 mile runs in the neighborhood and even a few hikes. They are fantastic light weight supportive running shoes and by far my favorite running shoes I’ve owned so far (and I’ve gone through quite a few pairs). The Wave Catalyst has been awarded “Best Debut” by Runner’s World for a reason!
So what are your best running tips? I would love to hear from you!