The Fall Racing Season is Here
As the weather cools down even just a few degrees here in Florida, every runner notices. That awesome time of year is here. Fall racing season! But how do you stay motivated and injury-free for your upcoming races? We’ve got some advice for you. Check it out.
1. Be Prepared – How to Get Ahead & Prevent Injury
The best race day run happens when you feel prepared and capable of completing the race. So let’s start there. How do you prepare? It’s as simple as 1 – 2 – 3.
- Get a proper shoe fitting and stride analysis (this will help prevent injury!).
- Pick a race (planning ahead gives you time to train).
- Create a training schedule that works for YOU (or hire a coach to help you) and include a plan for nutrition.
When you come into St. Pete Running Company to get a proper shoe fitting, you’re setting yourself up for success. Our one-of-a-kind StrideSmart Shoe Fitting is free and you’ll get a comprehensive analysis of your gait and stride while learning how to prevent injury. We can show you how to shorten your stride to be a more efficient and less-injury-prone runner. Plus we can teach you foam rolling techniques and exercises to help you keep your muscles loosened and strengthened this racing season. In your nutrition plan, be sure to test out different gels, gummies, electrolyte drinks, etc., that you plan to use on race day (and find out what nutrition products they provide at the race) so that you can discover your preferred nutrition items ahead of race day.
2. Be Proactive – How to Train for Your Fall Races
One of the best pieces of advice out there is to focus on discipline, not motivation. If you wait for motivation to get you up and moving, you might miss it. If you follow through as an act of discipline to get up and do your scheduled run, then you’ll discover it’s one of the best ways to achieve your goals. Here’s another 1 – 2 – 3.
- Find a running group.
- Commit to your scheduled runs while adapting as needed to weather and daylight hours.
- Incorporate dynamic warm-ups and variety into your running plan (i.e. speed work, long runs, tempo runs, etc.).
The accountability of a running group will be a huge help to you in achieving your race day goals. When you have a group of like-minded runners cheering you on during training (while you cheer them on, too), you join a wonderful community who will encourage you all the way to the finish line. At St. Pete Running Company, we have free groups runs for walkers and joggers every Monday and Thursday at 6:30 PM. With Daylight Savings coming to an end, we’re heading out from our store to the Azalea Park loop where there is plenty of lighting during the evening hours. We start with a dynamic warm-up each group run so you’ll learn how to do your own warm-up when you’re on your own for other training runs.
3. Be Present – How to Have the Best Race Day Run
On race day, one of the best things you can do is be present. You’ve done all the work and now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Soak in the applause from the people who are cheering you on. High five your running partners and encourage each other (because you’ve got this!). Race day can be infectious thanks to the crowds and the enthusiasm from you and your fellow runners. Here’s the final 1 – 2 – 3.
- Plan for a good night’s sleep two nights prior to race day, and don’t sweat it if you sleep less the night before the race due to jitters/excitement.
- Lay out your apparel, socks, shoes, bib, and other accessories the night before.
- Avoid last-minute adjustments (such as changing out your running shoes or trying a new type of nutrition during the race).
In other words, trust your training and enjoy the race.
One of the biggest racing events of the year for our area is St. Pete Run Fest. If you haven’t signed up for this awesome race that takes place throughout the beautiful downtown, you can sign up at the link and use code THOMAS25 to get a race discount.
St. Pete Run Fest Registration https://stpeterunfest.org/register-now/
Do you still have questions about training for fall races and how to stay motivated and injury-free? We can help! Call us at 727-800-5043 or come into the store where our shoe experts are ready to provide the high-quality customer service you expect from a Top 50 Running Store in America.
