With Peachtree Road Race (July 4th) quickly approaching, it is time to start narrowing in on what your goals for race day are. How do you plan to reach beyond your limits on July 4th? You have to dig deep, not settle for just "good enough" and resist the urge to quit. Yes, it is tough, but with the right motivation, determination and focus, you can do it!
There are many things you can do to keep that momentum going during your training. Obviously different things work for different people, but here are a few of my favorite ways to stay on track with my training in the home stretch.
If you are like me, there is nothing like fresh gear to get you out the door and running those miles. If there is one piece of gear I recommend replacing to give yourself some motivation, it is definitely your running shoes. Your shoes are hands down the most important piece of running gear you will have. As with any new running shoe that you are trying, I recommend getting fitted at a local running store or at least trying them on in person first. Now is the time to get fitted and find the perfect ride to carry you those 6.2 miles down Peachtree.
Speaking of shoes, have you seen the limited edition Mizuno WaveKnit that are commemorating the 50th running of the Peachtree Road Race. Y'all! First, I love my Mizuno WaveKnits as is - they are seriously so comfortable. Then Mizuno throws a super fun patriotic colorway that celebrates my favorite race of the year? Yes, please! I am really loving the way that the colors are opposites between the left and right shoes. If you are wanting to snag a pair to wear for July 4th, now is the time to get them so you can get them broken in before race day. The 2019 limited edition Peachtree Road Race Mizuno WaveKnits or other Mizuno Peachtree Road Race gear can be found on the Mizuno website or at many metro-Atlanta running stores. |
When training, nothing is better than the support of others. Everyone in your life might not totally understand what exactly you are working towards. Working with training groups or finding running buddies is an excellent way to get support from other runners and stay accountable to your training plan.
I absolutely love running with my friends. Not only does running together give us quality time together, it is also a great accountability tool to help make sure that miles get logged. Sometimes you might hit a mental block and try to find a reason to bow out of a run, but if you know your running partner is depending on you to be there, your tune definitely changes. Having a running buddy gives you someone to help push each other a little more and of course celebrate your accomplishments along the way.
Training for a race is hard work - be sure to celebrate and have fun! There are a lot of different ways to reward yourself occasionally throughout training. For example, once you have completed a month staying on track with training you buy yourself a new running shirt, go relax with a massage after 100 miles, or even stashing a dollar per mile in a special jar to have some spending cash for your next race expo (you will be amazed to watch the jar fill up).
One of my favorite ways to visualize my training/mileage is through a simple marble system. Start with your monthly goal mileage in one jar and have another jar with those marbles in it. After each run, move the number of marbles that correspond with your mileage to the "miles ran" jar. As the month goes on, watch one jar empty while the other one fills up. You can also do this with other goals such as number of days you ran this month, days cross-trained, days water goal was met, etc. No matter what your goal is, having something visible that you see every day makes you more apt to make it happen and then celebrate those goals.
Cross Training Most runners know that cross-training is important - almost as important as logging your miles. If you find different cross training routines that are beneficial AND fun, you will be more likely to do them, right? Sometimes mixing things up a bit is just what I need. While I simply tolerate my weight circuits days, I REALLY enjoy going to my weekly HIIT training and yoga. These are some of the days that I most look forward to on my schedule. Each day of cross training is important to your training. Remember your body is like a car and has a lot of different parts that makes it move better and faster. Try out some different classes at your local gym or check out your local running store or club for "yoga for runners" nights. You never know where you might fall in love with something new to add to your schedule. |
New for 2019 is the 50 Days, 50 Miles to the 50th AJC Peachtree Road Race Virutal Challenge hosted by Mizuno and Atlanta Track Club. Just as the name suggests, this is a virutal challenge to complete 50 miles in the 50 days leading up the Peachtree Road Race (July 4th) to help runners and walkers stay motivated with their training in the final weeks leading up to the big race.
- Created through the FitRankings app, the challenge encourages runners in the U.S. to walk, jog or run 50 miles in 50 days in honor of the 50th running of the AJC Peachtree Road Race.
- Participants can register now through May 13 on www.mizunousa.com/mizunofit50challenge
- The challenge officially starts on May 14 and runs through July 3
- Those who achieve the 50 miles in 50 days will be notified on July 20th about a special surprise courtesy of Mizuno USA.
- The challenge is designed to encourage communities of runners and other fitness enthusiasts to inspire people of all ages to be more active.
Join the 50 Days, 50 Miles to the 50th AJC PRR Virtual Challenge and run or walk 50 miles in the 50 days leading into the 2019 AJC Peachtree Road Race and earn a special virtual challenge car magnet (metal themed).
- Magnet will be shipped or available at a retail location near you.
- Must be within the U.S. to receive magnet.
- Entry to 2020 Peachtree Road Race (5 winners total). *Does not include travel or lodging - only race entry
Signing up is easy and takes a few seconds:
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