The Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend kicks off in just 75 days. This fall, my son, Joseph, has been my faithful training buddy – I’m seriously indebted to him! Long run after long run, Joe’s been there for me all the way. Every time I asked him to train for and run a race with me, he said yes. We ran 5K’s a 10K and a half marathon – his first, on November 15th. All to help me get ready for a special weekend in February – one that he will not be attending. That alone has made me feel especially loved! I’ve invited him to join me in 2017 and, of course, he said yes.
Today for the Friday Five, I thought I’d list my five favorite training necessities for…
Glass Slipper Challenge Prep
The Glass Slipper Challenge invites runners to complete both the Enchanted 10K and the Princess Half Marathon. It comes with an extra medal – and a great sense of accomplishment. You can read about my 2015 experience here (10K) and here (Half Marathon).
Here are my five most important training necessities:
A Strong Support System – Joseph keeps me company and encourages me on long runs while Raymond gets us to our favorite route. Every weekend, at least once (sometimes twice), we drive 45 minutes to the Vicksburg National Military Park to run while Raymond rides his bicycle. We have no hills where we live (unless you count overpasses), but the park is extremely runner and cyclist-friendly while offering a variety of options for racking up hilly mileage.
The Right Shoes – I’m a Nike fan. Over the years I’ve tried some other brands to consistently disappointing results. I’ve had my gait analyzed to determine the best brand for me and…Nike! I buy a whole size up and add my favorite Lynco orthotics. No matter what brand of shoe you like the best, it’s super important that you have good footwear for training and racing. Be sure to buy a new pair every 300-500 miles. I keep a training log that helps me keep track of mileage – otherwise, I’d keep the same pair of shoes forever.
Excellent Socks – The older I get, the more this matters. I have more trouble with my feet than I do with any other running ailment. I’m picky about my socks! Hands down (LOL), my feet are much happier when I’m wearing my Balega Socks – I swear by these babies for all long runs and races. I found them five years ago (Raymond bought me my first pair) and have been a huge fan ever since.
A Training Plan – There are excellent plans for every race distance available free on the internet – find and follow one that’s right for you based on your level of running experience. Having the proper base mileage is as important as building your weekly mileage gradually to avoid injury. Pick a plan and stick with it!
Happy Listening – There’s no way I could log all the necessary training miles without my favorite tunes and podcasts. I typically start with a podcast episode or two then switch to music for the last third of my long runs. I’m not sure how or why that works best for me, but it’s now part of my routine and I have to do it that way. Sometimes Joseph and I ditch our ear buds and just listen to my iPhone out loud together. which reminds me – get a good armband phone holder.
Your turn! I’d love to hear about your must-have training items. Also, if you’ve got any costume suggestions for me (I’m not into sparkly tutus or princess-y themes), I’d appreciate the help!
