3 Strategies for Summer Marathon Training

Monday, June 30, 2014

Zeke and I are smiling cause we survived our
first run of the summer.
Training in the heat of the summer is not easy but possiblbe. These past few weeks I have been reminded by humidity and rain that training for a marathon is no joke. The sad thing is that I remember feeling so happy to build my miles for the Houston Marathon last year! I survived it once and I will manage to do it again. Here’s my simple plan:

Hydration • I need to drink plenty water daily, not just while I’m out there. I know for a fact that I run better when my body stays hydrated throughout the week. As I write this post, I am half way through my H2O goal for the day. It is imperative that I drink enough water each and every day. It makes me feel better overall and it will make my training safer.

Visualization When it’s hot at 5 a.m. and there’s no cool air to be found, I count on visualization to get me through my runs. I practice visualization before and during my runs. Step 1 is to write down my workouts for the week. Step 2 is to think about my workout and imagine (or see myself) running before I get out there and actually do it. This morning's visualization really got me through the run. I believe that because I wrote it down and visualized the run, it actually happened.

Goal • remembering what my goal is (to finish the Chicago & Houston marathons) always gets me out of the door. I have a lot invested in these races and it’s more than a monetary investment. The joy of taking small steps towards my goal really motivates me. Because of my personality, it means a lot to know that I am actually following my training plan. Having an end goal in mind is a great motivator during these heat intensive months.

For more tips on training in the heat of the summer please read this post at Marathon Training Academy.



QUESTION: What is your best tip for surviving the summer heat during your training?
KW said...

Eating those freezer pops before you go run. It cools your inner body temp and helps with the humidity.

http://www.4imprint.com/product/106580?gclid=CPyFqrCQpL8CFQoKaQod214AOA&mkid=1pla106580&ef_id=U6B6AQAAAYZCls1K:20140701123624:s

Lauren said...

Get one of those neck coolers to wear if you get overheated as well. They help so much! :0)

Cintia Listenbee said...

great tips! thank you friends!