2 Weeks Out!

My marathon is less than two weeks away! I can't believe it is so close! It feels like I just decided to start training yesterday. I am starting to get anxious and excited. The thought of the unknown is intimidating, but I know I am ready for this! 

Me with my favorite after run snack!

Since I only have two weeks left, my actual running has dropped significantly. I am focusing mainly on diet and stretching daily now. So today I have a few tips for preparing yourself for a race two weeks before. 

1. Relax 

Make sure to not get stressed out. (This has been the hardest thing for me to do) A few pre-race jitters are normal but don't allow yourself to lose sleep over it. Race day should be fun! 

2. Research 

Research where the start/finish line will be so on race day you will have nothing to be nervous about. Decide now when you are going to pick-up your packet. Besides your race, packet pick-up is the most important thing! 

3. Replay

Replay race day in your mind. Picture what you are going to wear, bring, eat. Don't forget to replay yourself crossing the finish line in your mind! 

What about you? Do you have any pre-race tips? 

Until next time, 

Janelle 

Marathon - 3 Weeks Away!

My marathon is less than a month away and last week I was blessed with a cold. I was tired, achy, stuffy, and I couldn't move without my head pounding. I took medicine and that helped some but I knew if my training was going to be effective I needed to do more than that. Here are some tips I have for training while sick. 

1. Listen to your body. 

If you have to cut back on your training do it.  

2. Focus on staying hydrated. 

Drink WATER.

3. Eat foods that give you energy.

I never have an appetite when I am sick so I focused on eating a lot of protein and vegetables. 

4. Go to bed early.

I seriously believe that the best thing you can do when you are sick is sleep!

I have a really hard time slacking on my training because I am so competitive. So when I was sick, it was really hard for me to cut back on my runs a little bit. I ended up running two miles less than I was planning on. This was very disappointing to me, but I was glad to get my long run out of the way. Now I know even if I am sick on the day of my marathon I will still be able to run it! 

This is about how I felt this week after training! This photo is courtesy of Pinterest. 

Until next time, 

Janelle 

Long runs!

I took some time off of work for Labor Day to get some work done around the house. It was a nice break but went by way too fast! I ended up doing a trial marathon run that was 18 miles. I surprised myself and woke up at 5:00 AM to go run! I did everything I am planning on doing for my actual marathon so I will be fully prepared. Here are a few tips I have.

1. Lay out everything the night before. 

2. Eat the same way the days leading up to your run the same way you will be eating for your marathon. (my big meal the day before was alfredo)

3. Get up the same time you will be getting up for your race. (I'm planning on getting up around 5:00 AM on race day)

4. Wear the same clothes you will be wearing on race day. 

5. Go to bed the same time the night before. 

The day before I ran my long run I found a fortune cookie on my counter top. When I opened the fortune it had the perfect note inside! 

My gear! 

My snacks. 

I am sure you get the point by now. Basically do everything exactly the same as you would on race day.

So I finally was able mark something off of my bucket list for the summer. I went to the drive-in for the first time! It was a perfect summer night and the experience was awesome! I only have one more item to check off my bucket list for this year and that is running a full marathon. I am so excited and I cannot wait to accomplish this! 

I hope you all have a great week! 

Until next time, 

Janelle 

Relax - 6 Weeks

Only 6 six weeks left and I spent my weekend relaxing and pretending it was fall! I did some yard work, baked pumpkin bread, went fall shopping, and drank pumpkin spice lattes! Can life get any better? 

My tip for you this week is to take time to relax. Even if you are just a few weeks away from running a marathon. Don't worry and enjoy the small things! 

Until next time, 

Janelle