Alert! Alert! Twelve Weeks until the Go! St. Louis Marathon

Do you have a plan to run your first 5k, 10k, 1/2 marathon or full marathon?  what better place to do it than in St. Louis.  It is a great event with a lot of local support.  If you haven't signed up yet, please visit www.gostlouis.net for details.  The event is Missouri’s largest competitive fitness event and includes a marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, 5K run/walk, GO! St. Louis Read, Right & Run Marathon, children’s fun runs and a mature mile.

A half or full marathon is a lofty goal and one that shouldn't be pursued without some planning, family discussion and a huge commitment.  There are a ton of training plans both on-line and in print, however, none of these can completely fit the needs of an individual.  In an ideal world, someone would first visit their doctor to make sure they are ready to tackle such a challenge. 

Second, finding an endurance coach who has experience developing plans for working moms, busy executives, college students, experienced racers wanting to break a record or first time marathoners who just want to check this off their bucket list.  The point is, a generic program isn't going to suit every individuals needs- but an individualized plan can take into account all the unique needs of the athlete (by the way we consider everyone an athlete). 

Prior to logging mile after mile find out what your Vo2 (how your body utilizes Oxygen during exertion) is and also get your running gait and body checked out.  Would you drive a car cross country without getting it tuned up, have the tires looked over, etc?  Your body needs an alignment just as a car does and if you don't, well you run the risk of at the very least a flat tire, but more than likely you will need a complete overhaul.  Analyzing running gait takes a bit of technology (high speed video cameras) and an expert eye.  When I say get your body checked out I am speaking of getting an endurance athlete specific assessment which looks at posture, stride, muscle length, balance, joint integrity, etc.    

We train to get fit, not to injury ourselves.  Take a few preventative steps to insure you have a great race, feel good about your results and effort and not end up on the sidelines cheering the other racers.  Get some expert help!

Need some help, email me and I am happy to put you in touch with our endurance coaches.  I will be the guy on the sidelines wearing a NutriFormance t-shirt cheering you on!                

Best of luck and we hope to see you at the run!