Race Tips: Preparing Well For The Alamo Half Marathon

By Edward Kelly


Without a doubt, a lot goes into completing a race successfully, more so if it is a long distance one. World champions are always forged through honest hard work. Nothing beats the joy and satisfaction of earning your rightful place among champions knowing that your sacrifice got you through. If you desire to complete the Alamo half marathon successfully, intensive training is a must. Here are some tips on the best foods to eat and what to do to train effectively.

To begin with, get an idea of what your limits are beforehand. At this point, you may already know the exercises that take a toll on your body. To be more effective on track, focus on improving on the weaknesses you identify as opposed to spending more time fine tuning your strengths. Differentiating what you are good at from what you are weak at is the hallmark of a high achiever. For example, if muscular strength is not your forte, work on making it better. Becoming a member at a gym would not be a bad thing to do. A gym is one place where you are likely to get unlimited access to quality equipment once you enroll.

A marathon is purely about running. Your masculinity is not guaranteed to make you a success. On the contrary, victory is majorly based on stamina. This can only be worked on by starting training early, preferably a year prior to the event date. With nine months to go till the event starts, you have a lot of training time left.

According to experienced trainers, the best runners in the world started by running short distances every day. In marathon training, short distances start from about three miles going upwards. Begin by going on three mile runs every day. Gradually increase this mileage to six miles or more.

Once your body is used to the routine, set days when you will be undertaking long runs. These fall in the range of seven miles and more. It is advisable to schedule your long runs to take place once a week. In a similar manner, increase your mileage gradually till you hit the nine mile mark.

In track events, speed is of vital significance. At times, a world champion may concede victory to a junior competitor because of the time he chooses to increase his pace. It is better to increase your pace later on in the race as opposed to when it starts. The best time to do so is just as you approach the finish line. With practice, no challenge will be too difficult to overcome.

The meals you take always affect the metabolism in your body. Avoid fatty foods as they may induce fatigue and a feeling of laziness. Instead, go for meals that are rich in vitamins and carbohydrates. The carbohydrates you consume should give you sufficient energy to run the entire race.

Furthermore, make sure you are never dehydrated. During the event, organizers may place water stations at strategic locations along the race route. Practice simulating this as you train to avoid getting surprised on the big day. All in all, you must have a fighting spirit if you hope to succeed. The effort you put in training is never complete without a will.




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