The snow is starting to melt here in Oakville, Ontario and we’re seeing more runners come out of hibernation. That means everyone is gearing up for Marathon Season!
Note: Are you an athlete or a weekend warrior living in Oakville or Burlington and you know you do not perform at your peak? Check with our physiotherapists from the Oakville and Burlington physio clinics.
If you’ve already picked your marathon bibs, or still planning on running one, here are a few things you might want to implement to get the best out of your training:
1. Space out your training to YOUR SCHEDULE. It’s really easy to go online to find a marathon calendar, but that calendar doesn’t account for the many different things YOU do during the day. All day you could be on your feet, sitting at a desk, or sleeping! You need to a program that takes into account your training schedule with your LIFE schedule.
2. Study Your Route. Sometime before your marathon, look at the map. Is it hilly? Is it flat? Is it banked only on one side? Studying your route has many advantages: you can train on the right gradient of hills, monitor your hill training frequency, increase high cadence training for the flats. Or, for simple psychological readiness, it may be advantageous to run the course early in your program, to calm your start-line nerves. (Tip: can’t get to where you’re running? Try google mapping on street view. Seeing familiar street signs and buildings does wonders to your heart rate, blood pressure, and race day mood).
3. Buy 2 pairs of shoes. If you’re training for a marathon, you’re putting on major mileage on your shoes. So when buying runners, buy 2. Why? You’ve been accustomed to the toe box, to the heel cup, the entire look and feel of your shoe model. A brand new pair 2 week before the race simply won’t do. Or even worse, (which has happened to me) when your model is discontinued and is no longer stocked–then you have to settle for something else. Owning two pairs lets you alternate and get even wear. On race day, you should know exactly how each pair feels and which one is your favourite–avoiding utter catastrophe.
4. Bonus tip: Seek Help Early. It might just be the persevering attitude talking, but playing down your injury is never a good idea. Running should never be painful. Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) are all too common and it’s best to nip it in the bud. That being said, RSI often require time and additional training that needs planning. Help keep yourself on track by seeing your Sheddon Therapist and get treated as soon as possible.
These are just a few tips to help your training and your race day, but it is always wise to seek your Sheddon Therapist to get expert, up-to-date advice. Make your appointment today!
For more info, contact Sheddon Physiotherapy and Sports Clinics in Oakville and Burlington at 905-849-4576.
We are located only 7 min from Oakville Go Station and 10 min from Sheridan College Oakville.
The Burlington physio clinic is located only 2 min south of IKEA Burlington and 6 min north of Burlington Golf & Country Club, on Plains Rd East.
