March 26, 2015
Running
By Katie Ferguson
Follow me on twitter here @thesegirlsdo
So, with my third marathon coming up, I would like to think that I have learnt a few lessons, hints, tips and dos and don'ts along the way and thought I would share them with you!
1. You will be hungry. All.the.time. And if there is no food nearby, you will be HUNGRY. Avoid going shopping if you are hungry or you will come back with 3 packets of Haribo, pints of chocolate milk, 8 bananas and a huge bottle of orange juice and realise it's not really the best combination. This is why people frequently gain weight despite the mileage they are covering. Always be prepared, have easy access to snacks during the day and keep hydrated.
2. Your feet will probably be gross. Some people lose toenails- I never have, but I have blisters on blisters on rough skin on blisters. Always. This means you will never really want to wear heels again....
3. People will stop asking you what you are doing at the weekend because they already know the response.
4. Gin and cider does not an enjoyable long run make. Alcohol induced dehydration plus running induced dehydration is not great for your body and will wreck your long run, if it doesn't prevent it happening altogether. There’s never been a better time to try and cut down.
5. You will learn how far a mile is in every direction from your house. If someone asks you how away somewhere is, you will respond in how long it takes to run there, and grossly misjudge how long it would take to walk.
6. You will no longer fear 'using the facilities' in the great outdoors. Or you will plan runs that you know go past public toilets/places where you don't feel guilty about nipping in and using them (McDonalds and supermarkets are good for this)
7. 15 miles will no longer seem like a long run to you. You can easily bash out 20 miles before 11am and think it's no big deal. Non runners will give you major side eye for this and think you are crazy. You might actually be crazy.
8. So.much.washing. I mean this is a problem for me anyway as I seem to wash sports gear on a daily basis, but you will have favourite long run outfits with pockets in the right place and that don't chafe, and you will need them like a comfort blanket.
9. You will feel tired! Don’t just think about getting the miles in, think about getting the sleep in. I am fairly poor at this, but it’s incredible what a good night’s sleep does for your training. Turn your phone off at 10, set an alarm (try using an actual alarm clock!) and pop on an eye mask. Makes getting up at 5.45 to get your run in far more pleasant. Sort of.
10. The feeling when you cross the finish line is unlike anything you have ever felt before. You'll probably be overwhelmed with emotion and you have my permission to bathe in your own glory for at least 6 months afterwards and tell everyone how you RAN A FLIPPING MARATHON!
Any more for any more?
