With the first taste of spring last weekend, the countdown has begun for the Country Music Marathon and ½ Marathon! On April 24th over thirty thousand runners will hit the pavement in Nashville to participat
e in a grueling test of physical endurance. With just two months to go we wanted to give you some helpful training tips and information about the race.
Training for a marathon or ½ marathons is no simple task, and there isn’t a one size fits all solution. Running experts agree, however, to a few simple training rules that can benefit anyone. The most important tip is to pace your training; allowing yourself to go just 10% further in miles per week. For eight weeks of marathon training your miles in terms of miles per week would look like: 20-22-24-20-26-28-30-20. Along the same line, it is important to not run every day and to give you time to recover between runs. It is better to be slightly undertrained, but feeling strong and eager, than to be overtrained when the excitement of race day arrives.
Looking for places to run in Nashville? The Country Music Marathon website has a great list of suggestions including Belle Meade Blvd. and Shelby Park. While there you can register online to participate. The website includes tons of helpful tips, training ideas, the course route, and any other information you may need. If training alone has you down or overwhelmed, the Green Hills Family YMCA offers a marathon training program. Participants meet four days a week for weight training and runs, as well as receive additional training guidelines on other days. Beginner, intermediate and advanced programs are available.
Here is a list of helpful links and good luck with your marathon!
Country Music Marathon
http://nashville.competitor.com/
YMCA of Middle Tennesse Marathon Programs
http://www.ymcamidtn.org/country-music-marathon-training-groups