Running a half – marathon with no time to train: crazy. Running a half – marathon at 4am: crazier. Running a half – marathon while assigned to a ship, knowing you’ll have watch before and after: even crazier. Doing it and PRing by 10 minutes: CRAZY!!
Hoping my ship would be docked here in Guam, I went on a limb and entered the 2019 United GUAM Half – Marathon!! I always try to run a longer race in the place I live, but I didn’t think I would be able to run on the Island. My shipping schedule worked out for this once a year event, so I just had to sign up!! I’m so glad I decided to do it. It ended up being so much fun. I ran the San Diego Craft Classic in October and it was not nearly as fun as this event. The Guam Marathon race was the first Half – Marathon where I didn’t walk!! I ran 13.2 miles!!! I finished with a run time of 2hrs 25min. Over 10 minutes faster from San Diego! I even stopped and took selfies along the way!! 😝🤳 It was a great way to experience the Island, and knowing how much I like to sleep in, probably the only sunrise I will see here too! 🤣 Crazy part is that the race started at 4am!! So I wound up running most of it in the dark. “Got half way, still in the dark.” Never thought I would say I’ve ran 7+ miles before the sun came up, but there you have it. I also have to give a S/O to Matt!! On a whim he signed up for the 10K the day before!!
Emily’s Prep and Running Tips:
I’m not an expert, but have a love for running. These are some tips I have found over the years that have helped me.
1) SALT!!! Sodium is needed for your body to retain water. Pickles and pretzels are a great healthy sources of of salt. Pickles also are a good source of vinegar. It’s a family tricked used to stop leg cramps quick! A slight increase in sodium should be used as a preventative measure and post run recovery.
3) Carb up!!! Noodles, noodles, noodles!! You want to eat lots the day before. This gives your body enough time to process all the carbs for energy for the morning.
3) Cramping and muscle soreness: Eat a banana the morning before the race, consume sodium, as mentioned above, before and after the race, and take ice baths!!! Sit in the coldest water your tub will allow. Add some ice cubes if you can stand it, and sit in the water for at least ten minutes. If you want to take a shower do so first. If you turn on hot or warm water for a shower after the ice session, it will ruin the effect the cold water will have on your muscles. This helps increase blood flow. The cold water will help flush away the built up lactic acid. This has a better effect than icing because the water can completely surround your legs. Drink lots of liquids before and after the race. Water and Gatorade helps your body flush out the lactic acid from your muscles. If you take the ice baths without drinking liquids the acid will continue to sit in your muscles. The ice bath will have less of an effect.
4) At the water stations, if you have the choice between water and Gatorade, pick the Gatorade. Water will quench your thirst but won’t do anything to replenish your body.
5) Keep moving after the finish. It is important to walk around for a bit after you are done running. It is also important to keep walking throughout the day. Do not let your legs get stiff from inactivity.
6) Take selfies, and have fun!!!! 😝 Make sure you have fun at your racing event!!! It’s not always about running the fastest time. Say what?!! Racing prep takes alot of dedication and work, so you owe it to yourself to enjoy the day!
Be bold, be daring. Live for the “why Not!” Take a chance, because you never know when you just might impress yourself.
“Don’t stop until you are PROUD!” – anonymous
Stay Salty! 😎
-Emily
Modern Mariner 