Well guys, we’ve made it.
Hours of training. Tons of sweat. Miles and miles of running.
The Chicago Half Marathon is next weekend and we are as ready as we’ll ever be. I’ve been struggling with training the last couple of weeks due to the outrageous summer heat and finally had a good run this weekend with a successful 10-miler.
A couple running tips I’ve learned the last few weeks:
Wear a hat or visor. It’s so important to keep the sun off your face.
Sunscreen. Wear it. Not only is it important to take care of your skin, it will help keep a little of the heat off.
Drink H2O. When you’re running in 90 degree heat, you’ve GOT to keep hydrated.
Don’t forget to stretch, before and after your run.
The only way to get better at running in the heat, is to keep running in the heat. My dad sent me an article the other day and it said that it takes most healthy people 10 to 14 days to fully acclimate to exercising in the heat. So don’t “sweat” it, just keep going.
Running gear. Today I wore and ran with my new outfit (see below) for next weekend (something you should always do). All the pieces are made specifically for running and I never would have thought it could make much difference – but somehow it does.
Break in new shoes. I’m so glad I took time to break in my new shoes before the big race because I had major blisters after my first run in them. After a couple of weeks, they are ready to run in.
Thanks to a birthday gift card to ATHLETA from my awesome mother-in-law, I was able to get a new race day outfit. I really love it!
I’m so pumped for next weekend. Tim and I are as ready as we can be. It should be a lot of fun. Cross your fingers and wish us luck.
Have you run a half-marathon? Any pre-race traditions?
