WEEK 17: HALF MARATHON 2020

TRAINING STARTS Some of you may be running/walking your virtual or personal half marathon race at the end of this week on Saturday or Sunday. Good luck if you are putting toes to the start line. If not, and you are racing the next weekend May 16 or 17 it’s important to carry on with the taper.
 
Take time to go review your nutrition plan for the week and night before, and for the day of the race. 
 
In addition to determining pre-race and race-day nutrition, outline a course, and check transportation and parking in advance if you need to travel a short distance. Plan to take water or fluids with you or find safe places to stash containers along the course it in advance.  I regularly run/walk personal custom races as an individual, and for the longer distances find that looping past my home allows emergency potty-breaks if needed. My stashes have been ‘removed’ by others on several occasions; best not to leave bottles or food in plain sight.
 
If you’re running/walking a ‘neighborhood’ race, be prepared to wear a mask or Buff/neckwear that will adequately cover your face when near others. Be aware that you may need to move to the opposite side of the street to respect social distancing recommendations.
 
Race day is almost here! Let the taper allow you to be fresh for the big effort and get all details settled so your mental focus can be on performance and you can visualize success.
 
Even if not joining a crowd in a large organized event, I still have experienced nervous anticipation and doubts leading up to the start and in the initial stages of the race. For some reason, mile 3 seems to mark my worst uncertainty, representing the point at which I was sure I would quit. Once passed, my mental focus was regained, and confidence returned; I finished every race. 
 
Stick with your plan, stay the course, and resolve to run/walk each single mile at a time.
​
RUN & MOVE HAPPY!