Fitness Facts Tips For Getting Into Marathon Season by Chris Carmichael (NAPSA)—Millions of Ameri- cans run daily, but whetherit’s a few laps to get in shape or training for a marathon, each run arts with a single ep. Having a basic routine to follow will help you reach your goals and ay healthy. Here are a few basic tips to help you go the diance: e Stay committed. Running a marathon is more than building muscle; it is a te of your physical and mental amina. You need to find ways to get motivated and ay motivated because running a marathon is an ongoingbattle. Set reasonable goals. Increase your goals incrementally so you feel a sense of accomplishment and don’t get discouraged by what you can’t accomplish. Build up your endurance slowly, alternating running with plenty of re. You should be able to run at lea 30 minutes without having to op before you can consider running in a marathon. Dreshe part. Inve in the right exercise shoes and make sure you have teed your running gear before race day. Runners should be focused on their performance, not discomfort from skin that is chafed or irritated or bliers from uncomfortable shoes. I recommend Aquaphor to athletes. It’s a muhave item that prevents and even helps heal everything from chafed skin to bliers. Eat healthy. Food is needed for muscle growth and repair; that includes plenty of carbohydrates— You should be able to run for at lea 30 minutes without op- ping before you can consider running in a marathon. especially complex carbohydrates— protein and unsaturatedfat. Stay hydrated. Drink enough water to ay hydrated, at lea six ounces every 20 minutes. For more information on Aquaphor, visit www.EucerinUS. com. Chris Carmichael is the founder, CEO and president of Carmichael Training Syems, a team of coaches for endurance athletes, and personal coach to seven- time Tour de France champion Lance Armrong.
