We’re only a few days away from feeling the adrenaline rush of the Honolulu Marathon, one of the world’s largest marathons taking place in our very own backyard of Honolulu on December 11. During this event, racers from all over the world flock to the city to experience the beautiful tropical panorama as they fiercely compete in a race of epic proportions.

If you’re planning on strapping on your running shoes and joining the group of spirited racers, then here are some helpful tips that will help you cross that finish line with a medal-worthy performance.

 

  1. Select appropriate shoes and socks. It starts with the shoes – literally. You should pick out a pair that are relatively lightweight but provide good support, and the socks should be the type you wear in other races.
  2. Mimic the course. It may be hard to find a course with the same topography as the marathon, but knowing that it will mainly consist of flat terrain, look for a spot where you can exercise your muscles in pancake flat ground. Remember, a flat course may seem less challenging, but it’s lack of variation means you’ll be using the same muscles the whole race.
  3. Dress the part. Swap out your cotton t-shirts for ones made out of Coolmax or nylon – two materials that will help keep you cool and dry as your body temperature rises and sweat starts to build up.
  4. Run like a clock. If you really want to sync your body’s rhythms – including your bathroom routine – to be prepared for the marathon come race day, then try running at the same time of day as the start of the marathon.
  5. Carbo-Load, Don’t Fat-Load. A few days before the event, try consuming carbohydrate-rich foods such as pasta, potatoes, bread, fruit and fruit juice and sports drinks. These foods are not only delicious; they’ll also provide you with much-needed energy for race day.
  6. Eat breakfast. Speaking of food, it’s important to not skip the most important meal of the day – breakfast. Two to three hours before the race starts, eat a carbohydrate-rich breakfast like a bagel and banana to restock the energy that was lost during the previous nights’ sleep.
  7. Warm up. This is a must before any sports activity – especially running. Whether you decide to do some light jogging, walking or stretching a few minutes before the race, the important thing is to keep your body active so you’ll be warmed up come time for the real action.
  8. Start slow. Make sure to run the first two to three miles slower than your goal pace in order to preserve your energy for later on in the race where you want to finish strong.
  9. If you’re looking to keep your mind off the pressure, then sing songs in your head while you’re running the course. That way, you’ll concentrate on a fun melody instead of putting all your thoughts into the pain you’re experiencing.
  10. Go hard late. Control your inner desire to zip past the other contenders until well past the halfway mark. Then, you can turn up your speedometer and fly past the competition.

 

How are you prepping for the Honolulu Marathon? Let us know in the comments below.