Back in September of 2008, a close friend of mine took on a challenge, one she decided to enlist me on-running a marathon. For those who don’t know the actual distance associated with marathon running it is 26.2 miles. At first I thought my friend was insane. However, after since 6 months of training with two half marathons under my belt, I must say that I have a confession…. I have fallen in love with running. You can fall in love and master a full or half marathon with these helpful tips.

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1)  Utilize a training group. There is strength in numbers for a reason. It’s a lot more difficult to quit something when you have a partner let alone a whole group of people to hold you accountable. Consider training with the LA Leggers, a non-profit, volunteer-run organization whose membership includes runners, walkers and volunteers with diverse backgrounds and experience. There are varying pace groups lead by mentors and scheduled runs occur every Saturday morning (during running season) at the Santa Monica Senior Center.

2)  It’s all about the shoes and attire. Having the proper footwear can definitely reduce injury a majority of the time. Take it from me (and any other marathon runner out there) you need to be wearing a shoe size larger than your normal size to accommodate for movement/swelling of the feet. Be sure to try on a variety of brands and styles. I felt like the Cinderella of Sneakers but some 15 pairs of shoes later, I found the perfect match in my Nike Air Zooms. When it comes to clothes, you do have the option to sweat in style. Ladies, try wearing a Lululemon Athletica Cool It Racerback, it’s got mesh for max ventilation.  Guys, you can try the Lululemon Run Around LS, it even has a pocket for your $ and keys.

Hydration is KEY. Most people assume that water alone is the most valuable asset to marathon training. While water is important, electrolytes and salts are just as significant. Be sure to purchase a water belt, and fill it up with a mix of water and electrolyte enhanced beverages such as Propel. You can even further prepare by having a few Clif Bar Shot Blocks on hand.

Take it from me, Marathon running is addictive. It’s a great stress reliever, does wonders for your cardiovascular system and can be fun if you follow these simple tips. Get one step closer to Wellness. If I can do it, you can too.

Want to get running?  Contact the LA Leggers, (310)-577-8000, website www.laleggers.org

If you need to find great work out gear, check out  Lululemon Athletica, Brentwood Store, (310) 442-3563, 11920 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049, website www.lululemon.com

Tags: Green LA, Green Living LA, running, Training Groups, wellness