Marathon Lessons

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!!!!