Big Sur = Big Success!

It seems each post made this semester get further and further apart. But I assure you, this absence of writing has had no affect on my running inspiration.

Just this past Sunday, November 14, I competed in my first half-marathon. A half-marathon is a distance of 13.1 miles and many races offer a full marathon at the same location in addition to the half. While a half-marathon is nothing to scoff at, moderate training is needed to get oneself through this challenging experience. And although there were times I had doubts, I feel this race is one of the best struggles I have endured.

The 2010 Big Sur Half-Marathon was located in Monterrey, CA, about 2 hours south of San Francisco. The majority of the race was along highway 1, overlooking the pacific coast. The weather conditions could not have been better for a early morning race and made the race that much more enjoyable. With clear views and sunshine, the ocean was a beautiful sight to see.

Going into the half-marathon, I was not as properly trained as I could have been. With the demands of college life, running was placed on the back burner, giving me ample time to lose sight of this longtime goal in my running life. With a few moderate runs of 6 miles and a few small runs of 3 miles, I walked to the start line Sunday morning thinking the worst.

Word of the wise, don't ever doubt your running ability. Regardless of the time spent up to the race, the mere fact that you are running for 2 1/2 hours straight is a feet in itself. Not to mention that you got yourself out and running which is hard for most people to do in general. I forgot this simple fact and made the race even harder before the clock even started.

Whether you are running 3 miles or 13.1, as a runner, I feel you need to go into the race positive and giving your best no matter the challenge! Once you begin running and the endorphins hit, you will be happy you left the stress at home. It does not take much to remember the confidence you had to get yourself to that race in the first place.

Unlike my previous races, the start of my half-marathon was easier, as mile marker three came and went, I put the rest of my mileage into perspective. This race allowed me to learn a lot about my body, in completely different ways than a 10K or 12K. Because you sweat so much during the 13.1 miles and lower your blood sugar count, I used GU for the first time and learned how to feed your body the necessary nutrients while keeping up your pace.

I used the GU packets at mile 3 and mile 8, allowing 15 minutes for each packet to work. (That is roughly 1.5 miles before the energy would even kick in). But did I feel the difference! My legs seemed to have a mind of their own and my speed increased about half way through the race.

Because I was running the race with some friends of mine, I did not have music, and while I thought it would be difficult, it was not as bad as I expected. My thoughts kept me company and friends and family were my inspiration to finish. It was nice to be all ears along the course because of the music and entertainment that was provided, giving runners a boost of motivation at every turn.

With each new race is a new chance for battle wounds. The runner in me likes to show off how extreme I take my running experiences, as blisters, cuts, and swelling are only the beginning of what a true runner endures . But after every race, I take great care of my feet. For they did their part to get me through the 13.1 miles strong, as should I get them through the next few weeks safe and bandaged.

Having been through a half-marathon, I have a few suggestions and recommendations for those who wish to take on the challenge and experience the feeling for themselves:

1. Invest in blister block, blister band aids, and athletic foot powder. Whether or not you wear socks, blisters are sometimes inevitable for some runners and these products will help prevent them as well as heal them. Rub the blister block on areas known to chaff, such as inner thighs, underarms, and feet. Many runners get wet feet due to sweat production, so lining the inside of your shoes or socks with athletic foot power will help absorb moisture and prevent chaffing. And if all else fails, the blister band aids help heal blisters of any size and prevent irritation post race lace up. While they are expensive, they are handy to have and have never left me disappointed.

2. Keep hydrated the day/night before the race. Drinking the daily recommended amount of water is something hard to keep up regularly, but pre-race day is especially important. You won't be drinking as many fluids on race morning so fueling up on water and electrolytes the night before is crucial to your body moving come start time.

3. Dress comfortably for the entire race, not just the morning. While most races start at the crack of dawn, both half-marathons and marathons go into the morning hours, resulting in sunshine and sometimes warm temperatures. The rule I go by is a mid point between the two extremes, sleeves and pants. If I wear a long sleeved on top and have my arms covered, I opt for shorts in order to expose my legs. If I wear capris and cover the majority of my legs, I throw on a tee or tank in order to let my arms breathe. It seems to have worked out so far!

4. Take advantage of the freebies along the way. At every other mile marker along the race, there would be water and Gatorade stations. There are people holding out cups for runners to casually grab while jogging by. I never really liked drinking water throughout my runs because it gave me a tummy ache, but taking the water is a definite must. From personal experience, I learned that it was best to take both a water cup and a Gatorade cup and drink half of each, throwing the rest out. While water is necessary to replenish what has been lost, the Gatorade provides electrolytes. Electrolytes are especially important on a longer run like this because they are responsible for rebuilding muscle and nerve function as well as maintaining an adequate level of pH in your blood stream.

Another nice freebie along the way was a huge paddle of Vaseline. This is a freebie that is sometimes easily forgotten and taken for granted by some runners. By the end of the race you will be happy you grabbed the jelly and gave your legs a rub down. This substance helps keeps your chaffed prone areas lubricated and free from little red bumps.

5. Eat bananas and skip the stretch. Bananas are rich in potassium and can help curtail cramps in your legs, stomach, and feet. These cramps can make a great race turn bad at any mile and it is a nice peace of mind to know you won't have to stop and stretch it out. In turn, stretching before the race is actually recommended against. It is better to warm up for 10-15 minutes before stretching any muscle. So either find the time to warm -up pre race start or forgo it all together. While this may sound silly, you don't want to stretch cold muscles, for this may pose other problems during the race.

6. If you become just as addicted to running like me, you should invest in a running belt. It is a small pouch that is cinched around your hips, allowing you to carry your cell phone, I.D., cash, and packets of GU and keep it a hands free race. If GU is forgotten, no need to worry, you can easily use honey packets from a local fast food joint or pickle juice packets. Sugar, sugar, sugar.

7. Don't forget to smile! While this is a race and a grueling 13.1 miles, don't forget that it is an experience as well and it should be a good one at that. While there will be times of discomfort and doubt, you should remember that you are already awesome for registering for the half-marathon and running it to your best ability. Plus, the pictures are always prettier with a grin. :)

After the half-marathon, I took some ibuprofen and a long nap. The soreness only lasted for a couple days and it is recommended to get back out on the road and run asap. Just take it slow. I am excited to register for my next race and hopefully beat my last half time of 2 hours and 14 minutes.

Be warned, running is addicting. And once you start, you just can't stop. Hope to see you at the start line!

run-sarah-run!