Memorial Day weekend in Buffalo, NY marks the official start of the summer racing season. Whether you are running a 5k, looking to complete a half-marathon, or tackling the full marathon, this is where you can put those hard-earned winter fitness gains to the test.
For those who are just starting out or for those who want to keep on going, here are the most important things you’ll want to keep in mind:
As running legend Amby Burfoot astutely pointed out, “the goal of any beginning running program should be continuing.”
Most folks who aren’t endurance athletes gauge aerobic fitness through Garmin watches or Fitbits. These totals are not easily sustained long-term. The thought of any legitimate distance for beginners can be intimidating and terrifying at the same time. That’s why I suggest to anyone who inquires about a running program, to walk first. I can’t stress that enough. Start by walking around the block. Pack your sneakers in a backpack and walk at lunchtime. Walk to think clearly, walk to breathe. Give your phone a reboot and walk instead. There are approximately 1150 steps in a mile.
I’ve seen dozens of able bodied talented individuals sabotage their goals by doing too much too soon.
Time on your feet is the number one prerequisite to completing any distance. This is the fundamental building block to aerobic fitness, one that cannot be substituted with workouts with misleading titles and “overnight results”.
Even in the face of fast-approaching deadlines and weather on the brink of catastrophe, fitting in a well-planned, short walk can give you gratitude and perspective on otherwise challenging day.
Walk this way indoors.
If you choose to do your walking utilizing a treadmill at the gym do your best to resist the temptation of holding on the handrails. Holding onto the treadmill reduces the positive effects of your workout in several ways. These include: creating a stride pattern that is unnatural, reducing your possible calorie burn and encouraging improper posture and body alignment. So keep you head high and and stride forward with purpose.
Break up your weekend of binge watching and do some binge walking. You might be surprised at how far you go.
