Tips From a Fat Girl Running

Alright, so Sunday I finished my last "long" training run before the California International Marathon next weekend-I know, how time flies! I am partially terrified and partially...well, terrified. Something about last weekend's run really impacted me and it has taken a day or so of mauling over to pinpoint what it was that moved me. I am 17 years old, and I am running a FULL marathon-I am a bad ass. I look back to where I started and can't believe the progress that I have made. I remember training for my first 5K and being overtaken by doubt when it came to a mile-long training run. Yet, here I am running a marathon. Hmm. Food for thought. We all start somewhere.

Anyways, here it is kids.

1) Always know where you are going. I can tell you right now, that if I don't have my run mapped out from start to finish, there is a 99.9% chance I will NOT finish the distance I was supposed to achieve-I gaurentee. Take 10 minutes the night before and get your crap together.

2) Know what foods work for you before/during your run. I can not tell you how many times I have seen the concept of "carb-loading" misconstrued into a binge of eating loaves of bread and pounds of pasta--this is nonsense. Now, for some people, (and by some people I am talking about the sub 5 minute/mile runners...yikes! I am going to get bit in the butt for that one) this may be just the trick. However, this has never been the case for me. I really enjoy carb-loading, (who doesn't) but I do my best to stick with complex carbohydrates found in things such as peanut butter, yams, sweet potatoes etc..Nothing is worse than going on your long run feeling heavy from your last meal. I also like to make sure that I sneak in a quick bite about an hour before my long runs, (oatmeal, cliff bar-you get the point) and I always pack away either half of a pb&j, a granola bar-or something of that nature, so I can snack in the middle of my long runs. Do not, I repeat-DO NOT try new things on your long-long runs. It is almost always a guarantee that when you try a new product (gu's, blocks, beans etc..) during your long runs, the bathrooms seem to mysteriously grow further and further apart-if you catch my drift. Try new products on your shorter runs.

3) Look at where you are running. I know, you're reading this thinking "well, duh Jessica." However, I can not tell you how many times I have near broken my ankle on the trails. It is better to look at the ground once and a while to make sure you aren't about to eat the trail-just some personal advice.

4) Avoid asphalt as much as possible. I have always been a huge fan of running strictly on the asphalt and usually ignored others when they advised me to ditch the asphalt and hit the dirt. Let me tell you, I should have listened. My knees, hips, and ankles are all yelling at me now. So, in conclusion, when you go to the bike trail, opt for the dirt path right next to your good friend asphalt, (such a back-stabber!). 

5) Run where there is people. Okay, yes, it is good to stay away from where the creepy people are, but this isn't my point. Running where there are people that can see you will motivate you to keep going. It is our inevitable sense of human nature that wants to protect our ego and pride-so take advantage of it. Yes-you will probably be slightly more fatigued, but what a great way to get training in. Peer pressure will do the trick-forget what your teachers taught you!

6) Push yourself, but don't break yourself. Oh my goodness-do I believe in pushing myself...good grief, I am running a marathon, duh! One of the biggest boo-boos I made during my CIM training was running on my bum knee...needless to say it became this way by-you guessed it! Running. Push yourself, but feel good being gentle to yourself and your temple. You are human, not the Hulk. If you are injured-take it easy! Take care of your personal home. It is the only one you have and you can't sell it!

7) Don't compare yourself to others. I throw myself a personal pity-party each and every time a runner passes me. I do. It is only when I am finished with my run that I realize how ridiculous it is to do such a thing. You are your own worst critic. You are kicking the butt's of every person sitting on the couch. OWN YOUR RUN. Everyone starts somewhere, (I can not say that enough).
8) Find a reason. Yes, I know this is cheesy, but I am not kidding. It took me until my parents divorce to realize why I run. For that two and a half/three hour run every Sunday, I am not Wendy's-I am not Gary's. I have total and complete control over myself and my life for that short amount of time, and that is enough to get me out the door at 6:45 every Sunday. Find your reason--don't roll your eyes, go do it.
9) Don't go for a run without water. I am a total stickler on this one. I don't care if I am going for 1 mile or for 18 miles-I always bring water. There is something comforting about being able to hydrate yourself immediately and not having to wait for 2 miles for the nearest fountain. You will thank me for this one.
10) Use a running watch/interval timer. I am all about running until I feel tired and then walking. However, I find that I am more consistent with that tiny bit of accountability. Even though it may be more convenient to "free run" and walk when tired,you will benefit so much more from the interval training.

So that's my narrow insight on running. My dog is driving me absolutely insane, so I will leave you with that. Do with it what you will!
Oh, and also I am down 27.5 pounds since I posted last. Go me.

God Bless-
Jessica