Issue #51

Miles, Maps & Styles

Hi Reader!

Can we talk about how the running season feels like it went from 0 to 60? Because this past week felt like a full sprint out of the gate, and honestly? I am so excited about it.

My Chicago Marathon charity team, Imerman Angels, kicked off the season with an in-person event last week and it was one of those experiences that reminds you why me signed up to run a marathon with a charity. Hearing stories from people who have been supported by the mission, to ensure no one faces cancer alone, reminds me why I signed up. It gives me added motivation when the training gets challenging to know I'm running for something bigger.

To add to the summer training program excitement, the running group I coach with had its open house last weekend! Getting to meet new runners and show them what group training looks like was such a highlight. The energy was contagious, and I am SO excited for the season ahead.

All of this got me thinking: there are a lot of first timers lacing up for their very first marathon this year. So this week, we are talking about the first-time marathoners.

Are your ready to get started? Let's dig in.

tl;dr

I know you're busy! If you want cut to the features without having to read the extra details, here are the links for these posts!

1. New On the Blog - Tips for First Time Marathoners​
2. #TBT - Let's revisit this topic: How to Customize Your Marathon Training Plan to Fit Your Schedule ​
3. Prime Picks of the Week - Marathon Training Favorites​
4. Fundraising Tips You Can Use Next Week - Week of May 18th​

New on the Blog

Tips for First Time Marathoners

If you are toeing the line for your first full marathon this year, this is the guide to bookmark right now. Going in with the right mindset makes all the difference between surviving the experience and actually loving it.

Here is what you will walk away with:

• How to juggle marathon training with your busy schedule
• Why marathon training spans 16 to 20 weeks and how to run your long training mileage
• How to approach race day so you execute your plan with confidence, not last-minute panic

Get ready for marathon training! Know someone running their first marathon? Forward them this email (or share the link).

Learn More

#TBT

How to Build Your Marathon Training Schedule to Fit Your Lifestyle

This one is worth revisiting with summer training season kicking off. If you're curious which training plan is the best for running a marathon? The truth is: the best training plan is the one you can actually stick to.

Rigid schedules look great on paper, but life events can make sticking to the plan perfectly nearly impossible. Work gets busy, kids get sick, and travel happens. Building your training plan around your life, rather than against it, is the real secret to crossing the finish line.

In this post you will find tips on how to:

• Choose a flexible plan that fits your current running base (and why working with a coach is a game changer)
• Prioritize your key runs so the rest of the week has breathing room
• Build in recovery days without guilt
• Focus on consistency over perfection every single week

Start planning today! Read this blog post to get started:

Read More

Prime Picks of the Week

This week's Prime Picks are specific for focusing on marathon training.

• A Handheld Running Water Bottle: I was skeptical about handhelds at first! I thought they looked so heavy and I always thought I needed a belt, but they’re also really popular with my running club. After a few runs I adapted and now it feels weird to run without it. Shop for the running handheld water bottle.
• A Hydration Vest: If you’re training solo and want to run longer distances without needing to refill, I picked up this Nathan Pinnacle Hydration Vest since it’s approved for the NYC Marathon course (look for vests with front-loading water bottles). Shop the Nathan Pinnacle vest.
• SPIbelt Running Belt: Hold your phone, gels, chews and keys in this expandable running belt! It expands to fit your items, so it’s not bulky if you’re carrying fewer items. Shop SPIbelt.
• Running Watch (Garmin Forerunner 265): I’m currently running with the Garmin Forerunner 265. I love the color screen and data metrics. Shop the Garmin Forerunner 265.

Get more marathon training favorites here:

Shop Marathon Favorites

Fundraising Ideas for Next Week

If you're running a marathon for a charity and need fresh ideas, this section is for you! Steal these ideas or send them to a friend who is fundraising for a marathon.

Here are a few ideas you use the week of May 18th:

• Run Streak Fundraiser – Join the challenge June 1st!: Offer to run at least a mile every day in June and ask your friends to pledge for each mile you run. I’m hosting a 30-Day Run Streak Challenge to support you with your own fundraiser, sign up here to join! Get tips to set up a run streak fundraiser, a 30-Day tracker, a private group to share ideas, and your success! Also, it's free! My goal is to help support your charity runner journey, let's run there together.
• National Penny Day (May 23): Post to social media for a "Pennies from Heaven" fundraiser. Ask for “all the pennies in their piggy bank” or to send you "pennies from heaven" as a donation to your charity page.
• Paper Airplane Day (May 26): Use this holiday as an option to send the donations over your way! This is a great way to use a fun holiday to get the conversation going around your fundraiser. You could also fold a paper airplane and film someone throwing it at you as part of your social post.

Ready to start planning your May-themed fundraising ideas? Check out this post with the fundraising ideas for May and read below for ideas for a whole year:

Fundraising Ideas for the Year

Fundraiser Shop

For my fundraising shopping list with things like letter boards, social media planners, pens, thank you notes and more, check out my fundraising store.

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See you on the run!

-Liz

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