MAXIMISING SUMMER WEATHER
By Bud Baldaro (June 2008)
Reebok Bristol half marathon training – maximising summer weather
The long summer months beckon as we prepare to celebrate the longest day of the year. A perfect, if potentially warm period to prepare for the Reebok Bristol Half Marathon on September 14th which will usher in the earliest of autumn days and mark the end of summer.
From this weekend (June 14th) it is 13 weeks to the half marathon – neat timing to prepare for a 13.1mile event.
Maximise these long summer days and nights to revel in sunshine in the cool early morning / late evening to progress your training in accordance with your aspirations and target finish time.
Determine which is the best time of the day for you to run, given all the demands on your time and numerous constraints. Are you a morning person or is evening time your most energetic and productive phase?
Whatever time of day you choose allow your running to be a period of relaxation, when you can come to terms with the day’s issues or if you run in the early morning when the world is waking, allow yourself time to plan your day in a calm manner.
Let your running be “you time” as you increase the distance of your long runs gradually and patiently. Stress the positive; of how well you are doing and don’t feel intimidated by the thought of the full 13.1 mile distance.
You will finish!
The training is there to help you maximise enjoyment on race day and hopefully minimise discomfort.
Regularly remind yourself of how much you have come on already and I repeat – do be patient. But equally progress your training.
If we do enjoy some very hot weather as you train through the summer then it is essential that you keep yourself fully hydrated. Potentially boring (and sometimes logistically inconvenient) as it is – try to drink 1.5 -2 litres of fluid a day; concentrate on water and use sports drinks too in order to replace important lost electrolytes and minerals.
It is vital in order to maximise performance that your keep yourself well hydrated. Try to keep a bottle of water by your work place and sip often. Minor dehydration can lead to a significant loss of performance.
If you don’t belong to a running club – and why not?? – then consider the advantages of finding running buddies with which to share the challenges .
It might well be that you much prefer the loneliness of the long distance runner as you suddenly re-discover your local environment. And do be creative and explorative on your runs as long as it is safe. Search out the trails and pathways of the city.
However most of us would opt to have running partners – so find out if colleagues or neighbours are also preparing for the half marathon. You could check out the specialist running websites, make use of networking opportunities offered by specialist running stores or consider establishing your own support group.
Determine what are mutually convenient times to run and above all ensure that the pace is acceptable and realistic for all involved.
Avoid leaving your best running in training. Use running partners to help you progress the quality or quantity of your training but avoid racing each other. But remember as you overload the system you are preparing for the big day in September.
On steady and long runs you should be able to chat comfortably with each other. On tempo pace runs and faster paces it might be reduced to brief words.
Having friend to run with often seems to reduce the workload and make those 1hour plus runs pass quicker and feel more manageable. The sense of achievement is fantastic.
Do all you can to ease the tough task of preparing for a half marathon event.
The Reebok Bristol Half Marathon is a great event and running in the summer is a great way to prepare for it – whether its your first, your last, or your 20th Bristol half.
Have fun and enjoy your summer.
