20 Tips for Your First Marathon

Co-authored by Tammy Tibbetts, President & Founder of She's the First I couldn't run a mile in high school gym, but a decade later, I completed the NYC Marathon! It was one of the best, most triumphant days of my life. I'm proof that anyone can do it! It all comes down to training. Here are my tips for crushing your first marathon. 1. Download a training plan. I used one by Popsugar Fitness. 2. As the plan says, cross-train. Let me repeat that: CROSS-TRAIN! To avoid injury, particularly IT band syndrome that comes from overuse of the thigh and knee, you must do exercises that strengthen your abs and core. I took an abs class at the gym one to two times a week and downloaded this free injury prevention course for suggested exercises. 3. Study the race course. If the course is not flat ground, make sure that you're doing practice runs up hills or bridges. 4. Stretch out with yoga one to two times a week. I took advantage of the free classes at Lululemon on Sunday morning before the store opened. I also use the Yoga Studio app for iPhone. 5. Reduce inflammation! After a run, or at night when you're watching TV, be sure to ice the knee and joints. Pop an ibuprofen if needed (not Tylenol -- can bad for your liver), but don't become too dependent on pain relievers. 6. Pick a cause and fundraise. I raised $13,000 to sponsor girls' education for She's the First, the non-profit I founded. On days when the training gets tough, thinking of your beneficiaries will give you endle...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news