The Running Generation: Race Training Tips for Millennials
Meet Jason, a personal trainer from StrongWell. He reached out to me and offered to write a blog post, and I was 1-Over joyed because I don't 100% love coming up with blog topics, 2-Excited to see what he had to share, and 3-Thrilled to get a new perspective on the site that could bring you all greater insight into your training. Jason put together a great read, so without further adieu, my first ever guest blog!
The Millennial generation (also known as “Gen Y”) sometimes gets the bad reputation of being more interested in relaxing than in doing anything, you know, productive. However, there is a wealth of data showing the opposite to be true. Millennials (typically considered to be those individuals who were born between the mid-1980s and the early 2000s) are actually just as much if not more interested in self care, health and fitness than previous generations.
For example, a stunning 80% of Millennials are runners - making up nearly half of the nation’s runners. Even more impressive: in a recent study, many Millennials admitted to running year-round, even those who were new to running. The vast majority of Millennials also reported being most interested in completing a half marathon within the upcoming year. 10K and 5K distances were the second and third most popular race distances among Millennials, respectively. As an added bonus for Millennials living in these 20 cities, training for long distance races is even more fun!
It should come as no wonder then that Millennials have now been dubbed “the Running Generation.”
Here are some tips for Millennials who are currently training (or interested in training) for running races:
1. Staying Properly Hydrated
I know, I know, you’ve heard this one before. From your training coach, from your doctor, and probably even from your own mother. But drinking water really is important to all of us, especially those of us who are runners. Start bumping up your hydration in the days leading up to a big race. On race day, bring some extra water with you during the course (even if the race promises to offer free water on-site). Before embarking on any run, experts recommend having a game plan for how you will stay hydrated and replace electrolytes.
2. Safety First
Even if we are being as careful as possible, there are still some things that are out of our control. Accidents, falls, and injuries can happen. To help ensure your own safety, avoid running by yourself and always try to bring first aid supplies with you to any race.
3. Where to Train
If you’re one of the many Millennials who live in a city rather than in the suburbs, you’ll want to be mindful of where to train for your race. Gyms, running tracks, and even many city parks are all excellent places to train for an upcoming race. As always, be mindful of your surroundings and try to bring a running buddy so you’re not running alone.
One last word of advice to anyone interested in training for your first race: listen to your body. As tempting as it might be to jump right in and run an endurance challenge such as a Spartan Race or a Tough Mudder for your first race, now is not the time for ego. Like most Millennial runners, you will probably enjoy the challenge of an obstacle course mud run or an ultramarathon, but it is important to start training slowly. Be careful to avoid injury and follow the safety rules listed above. With patience and dedication, you can become exactly the type of runner you hope to be - and you can stay safe while doing it. Good luck and have fun!
Thanks Jason for a great read, if anyone else is interested in doing a Guest Blog for NeelyRuns.com please email me at neelyruns@gmail.com