Summer is the prime time to get outside and enjoy the sunshine—and what better way to do that than by lacing up your shoes and going for a run?! As the Geist Half Marathon approaches, the Culture of Health Ambassador and GHM Ambassadors want to prepare the community for a race full of fun and personal bests in the 5k, 10k, or half marathon with their personal advice on training.
Choose your method for tackling the race
Culture of Health Ambassador, Ginny Zimmerman, encourages racers to remember that they can choose to walk, jog, run, or maybe combine a little bit of everything. While adding some running into your training is always good, it’s up to the runner to decide how they make it to the finish line.
Bring a buddy for optimal fun
Enjoying a run with a friend, neighbor, or family member can further motivate you to get outside and work towards your goals together! If running with a buddy isn’t possible, Zimmerman suggests finding a podcast or album to enjoy while you run to keep the experience engaging and entertaining.
Invest in your go-to running or walking shoes
Running doesn’t require you to wear anything special, but a good pair of shoes can take you a long way. Zimmerman suggests visiting a local running store, like Athletic Annex, for any running shoe needs, as they are a sponsor of this year’s Geist Half Marathon.
Consider the 80/20 running rule
Geist Half Marathon Ambassador, Lynn Hartley, suggests keeping the 80/20 rule in mind when prepping for the half marathon. This rule essentially means that 80% of runs should be at an easy pace, and 20% of runs should be working on speed. Hartley explains that this method keeps runners from burning out when training for a future race.
Consistency is your friend
Hartley also pushes the idea of consistency, as she recalls in 2018 when she swore that 5 miles was the longest she would ever run. After showing up daily to add on mileage, Hartley not only beat that mileage cap, but she has ended up running multiple half marathons in the past few years.
Whether you’re thinking of running your first race ever or looking to add another to your list of accomplishments, the Geist Half Marathon, happening on Saturday, September 14, is the perfect event to get out and get moving with the community. Visit GeistHalf.com to sign up today!
