Wow, we are only 13 days away from the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. I still can’t believe I am going to do this! I want to thank each one of you for the inspiration you have provided me. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without each one of you. It takes a team and we have an AWESOME ONE! Remember, it’s not about how fast we go – it’s about staying healthy, enjoying the experience and remembering what a great cause we are supporting.
Here are a few tips for Race Day according to espnW:
- At the end of a race, look for the color red. A 2011 study in the journal Emotion found that when people see the color red, their physical reactions are faster, because red is a danger cue, says coauthor Andrew Elliot, a professor of psychology at the University of Rochester. Focus on a runner ahead of you in a red jersey for a short burst of extra speed.
Drink just enough. A December 2010 study found that runners who drink too much water, or not enough, during a race had a slower race time than those who drank the exact amount needed to stay optimally hydrated. Why? Those who drank too much didn’t lose enough weight during the race to perform at their fastest, says lead researcher Dr. Timothy Noakes, health professor at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. “Drink just enough to quench your thirst,” he said. “Any more or less impairs performance.”- Repeat this phrase: “I can do it!” When you hit the wall, the negative thoughts start flowing: “I’m exhausted,” “I can’t do this,” or “This hill is never going to end.” Believe or not, those words have power and can actually slow you down, says Chris Janzen, author of “Run Faster Now!” “You switch your counter-productive language into empowering thoughts,” he said. Think: “I’m full of energy,” “I can do this,” and “This hill is easy,” to get some immediate pep in your step and finish strong.
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FunFitTeam 