Skin Healing Concerns & Tips

It can be difficult to determine a good marathon training schedule and then stick to it. There are too many temptations to eat an entire chocolate cake in one sitting (I know.)

Having learned through experience, I am in a position to give you some advice on what NOT to do that will help you stick with your schedule. When you have determined your marathon training schedule, remember a few different things.

- You can't cheat by running super fast for three minutes instead of jogging for thirty minutes. If jogging for thirty minutes is outlined on your schedule, then you actually need to do it.

- If you have planned to run every weekend for three months, and can't find the motivation, try what I did. My husband drove the car about three feet in front of me dangling a snickers bar out the window.

- Breaking in your jogging shoes before the marathon does not include a meat mallet whatsoever. It actually means that you have to run with the shoes on.

- A bottle of Jack Daniels is not a 'running partner'. Choose a human as your running partner.

- When I say 'stick with your marathon training schedule,' I don't mean taping the paper to your butt.

- While you're jogging those three miles back home, resist the temptation to hitchhike.

- Taking naps in ditches off the side of the road isn't just a bad idea, and it's really unsanitary.

Here's another trick for finding the motivation you need to stick with your running training schedule: Imagine the faces of your competitors when you finish first place. Then imagine all the weeping, roaring, and howling as you smile modestly and think to yourself, "No autographs, please, just look and admire the champion!" Stick with your marathon and good luck!