I just completed my first 10 mile run, in preparation for the 1/2 marathon I am running 6 weeks from today! If you’ve read my other articles you may remember that running has been the exercise that literally tips the scales for me and helps me to burn off the baby weight that I acquire during pregnancy. For you, it may be something different that helps you accomplish your postpartum weight loss goals, sometimes just changing up your exercise routine and challenging yourself will help you to finally torch those last (or the next) five pounds. But if you’re not sure what to do, I suggest giving running a try. For some great tips on getting started running, go here.
If you’re ready to run 10 miles, or if you’ve just started running and want to take it to the next level, here are 10 tips (5 now, 5 tomorrow) to help you (and if you have any tips to add, please feel free to do so in the comments, we can all benefit from your experiences, too). And, of course, any information you obtain from this article or from the comments is not meant to replace professional medical or fitness advice.
Do these BEFORE you run:
1. Rest. If you know you’re about to challenge yourself on your next run, don’t do something strenuous, like waterskiing, the day before, your first 2 miles of your run will be hell and you will seriously consider turning back, which won’t be good for your overall mental game if you quit before you really even get into your groove. (Yep, I went waterskiing the day before my big 10 mile run and every muscle in my body ached as I got started but by the end of 2 miles the cramps and muscle stiffness had gone away – trust me, rest the day before.)
2. Hydrate. If you plan to run in the evening, spend the day drinking water – you don’t want to drink it all an hour before you run, you’ll feel heavy and bloated, drink water slowly throughout the day to hydrate your body before you run. If you plan to run in the morning, hydrate the day before – and no wine or beer before you go to bed! 
3. Prepare your route. For a long run (or any run, really), you need to know where the heck you’re going. For me, I decided to increase my distance by adding onto a route I already take. I didn’t necessarily want to go farther from my starting point (my house) in case I really had to putter out and go back. I decided to be safe and just add on a side street and another loop through one portion of my seven mile route. I used RunningMap.com to figure out where I could go easily to accomplish a 10 mile run, without actually getting farther from my house.
4. Check the weather. It is a really good idea to check out the weather for the day of your run so that you are dressed appropriately as well as figure out an ideal time to go when the weather will work for you and not against you. As well, you need to consider the amount of time your run might take you (especially if it is a new, longer distance) so that you give yourself plenty of time to finish your run before sundown, or so that you can start your run as early as you can, taking advantage of sunrise. I love to check out Weather Underground for the hourly weather forecast as well as sunrise and sundown times for the day.
5. Update your playlist. Fresh music can be very motivating on a long run. Choose songs that energize you personally and then mix ‘em up so that you don’t know what is going to play next!
Shape.com has a few more tips for you to consider as well.
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- 10 for 10: Ten tips for maximizing (or making it through) your first 10 mile run – Part 2 Yesterday I completed my first 10 mile run, in preparation...
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Jenn. I just signed up to do a 10k in November with some girls from my church. I needed to make a commitment to get me going with exercising again.
Thanks for the Running Map and the Weatherunderground links!
You’re welcome! Good for you. That is awesome that you’re gonna do a 10k, I probably should have started with that rather than jump into the 1/2. I’m sure the 10k will be no sweat for you. I agree, registering for an actual race has motivated me to remain committed to my training, in fact, I started training FIRST, to make sure I could actually get started.
What I love about training for a race is that it has changed my perspective on fitness and weight loss. It’s awesome because it takes the pressure and focus off of losing weight and onto athletic performance. When I eat crappy I pay for it during my run, if I don’t get enough sleep, I pay for it during my run. My daily habits should assist me in accomplishing a 7, or 10 or 15 mile run. Now my eating, drinking and sleeping habits affect my performance for better or worse. But this is a topic for another post!
(By the way, last night I DID eat too many potato chips at 11pm and I DID make the mistake of staying up too late, and, guess what? I DID pay for it this morning on my 5 mile run…..NOT fun!