Keeping the Focus with 4 weeks to Go

As you spend a couple of hours on the road for your "long days" and continue to feel the benefits of your training, you are no doubt starting to dream about crossing the finish line or alternatively, having "night mares" about missing the start, getting lost on the course or forgetting your sneakers. It is very common to have some of these dreams when your head hits the pillow and the distractions of the day have faded so your subconscious thoughts of race day jitters emerge. My coaches and I even have recurring nightmares....forgetting to pick up the bagels, buses breaking down, forgetting a runner after the race.....Yikes! Not to worry, it is all part of the racing experience. Check out the reference article on our site to work on your "Mental Training" while you continue to progress with your physical training.

I wanted to share with you a recent experience one of our runners had to illustrated just what the demands on your body's are these days due to your training. After an evening out on Saturday, this walker went out on Sunday for about a 2 hour walk with one bottle of water which was gone after about an hour. She started feeling nauseous as time went on, but pressed to make it home. When she got home, she began to drink water, which quickly "came back up" and she was by now feeling lousy. Her weakened condition nearly prompted her husband to call 911. Fortunately, she began sipping fluids and was able to avoid a visit to the ER.

This story emphasizes the need to take your workouts seriously. As we have encouraged you in the past, proper nutrition, hydration and rest before and after your workouts will ABSOLUTELY affect your success. Again, reference articles on our site and your "Training Guidelines" provide vital information for training. The nightmares will remain in your dreams if you are prepared with proper training from the inside out.

Train Well,
Dixie