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Have you ever awoken early on a Saturday or Sunday morning and begin driving around town only to find out that there are these damn runners blocking off all the roads in some unusually ridiculously long distance race? Well, hopefully, this guide How to Survive a Half Marathon will help you become one of those meddling runners who has completed a feat that only a small percentage can say have finished.

Do Not Continue Reading if…

* you don’t want to get in shape
* you don’t want to impress everyone you know
* you don’t want to break physical and mental barriers
* you don’t want to complete an eye-opening and freeing experience
* you don’t want to demolish a challenge and be victorious

But, if you want to do all of those things continue on to see how you too can accomplish something amazing.

This past Sunday, October 4th, 2009, I took part in an annual tradition. The running of the Cows. Okay, it isn’t quite cows running, but fellow, crazy, long distance runners taking to the streets of Sacramento, California to complete a Half Marathon or a Marathon.

Below I have documented the experience and how you too can run a half marathon or marathon:

Here’s the Viddler link, if need be: http://www.viddler.com/explore/LifeExcursion/videos/2/

Here is a more detailed approach to a half or full marathon:

Day Prior to Race:

* Eat Healthy and Drink Fluids (Non-alcoholic of course…alcohol comes after)
* Go to Expo and save lots of money and learn a lot
* Relax and Stretch
* Set clothes and other gear out night prior
* Go to sleep early

Pre-Race:

* Eat a healthy breakfast 2-3 hours prior to race time (Mine is Powerbar and banana)
* Get to race early & not early for you…early for a farmer
* Get in bathroom line first thing & bring your own toilet paper
* Don’t line up until 15 minutes prior to gun time

Race:

* Don’t go out too fast & Stay with your pacer that holds the pace time sign
* Drinks fluids, but don’t drink gallons
* Take your time, it’s a long race
* Go to the end of the water tables as everyone tends to grab water from the first ‘water-passer-outer’

Post-Race:

* Eat anything and everything you can along with doing the same with fluids.
* Don’t stop…try to keep walking and stretch
* Eat 1-2 bananas after the race
* Eat something that day that you are never able to eat due to training
* Relax

Anyone and everyone can run a half marathon. There’s no doubt in my mind that YOU can do it if I can do it. All you need to do is commit to success and you will one day finish this challenge you once thought unbearable.

LifeEx Action Steps:

• Just start jogging a mile at whatever pace.
• Set goals
• Read everything you can online about training for races
• Get a running buddy or join local running group
• Sign up for a Half Marathon. That forces you to start training
  

Hope to see you out there next race….

Dave
LifeExcursion