The Wounded Warrior Half Marathon is a race I have wanted to run for a couple of years now. Last year, I was sidelined with shin splints and wasn’t able to run it. 🙁 I was very disappointed because I think that the Wounded Warrior Project is such a great cause. I love running races in general, but when I can do a race for a cause I really believe in, I love it even more.
The beneficiaries of this half marathon are the Injured Semper Fi Fund and Reserve Aid.
“The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund provides financial assistance and quality of life solutions for Marines, Sailors and other military personnel assigned to Marine Forces, injured in post 9-11 combat, training, or with life threatening illnesses, and their families. The fund provides relief for immediate financial needs that arise during hospitalization and recovery as well as perpetuating needs such as home modifications, customized transportation and specialized equipment”.
“ReserveAid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to providing financial support to the families of Reserve Service Members from all services, who have been called to active duty and are experiencing financial difficulty. Our goal is to alleviate the emotional and financial burdens placed on the men and women called to serve our country by supporting their families at home”.
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Our military men and women have sacrificed so much for us, and I feel that they deserve the very best that we can give to help them and their families any way possible. That’s why I believe in this cause so much and want to do this race.
Something else that I think is pretty cool? My brother is also planning to run it! If everything works out (we stay injury free, etc), we will be running a half-marathon together on June 12th! This will be our first race together, and I am so excited! We are both aiming for a sub 2:00 half this year, so we shall see. We are both VERY competitive, so this could be an interesting race. 😉
In order to try for a sub 2:00 half, I am going to have to be a lot smarter about my training/fueling this year. During my first half-marathon, I hit a wall somewhere in between mile 11 and 12. I had to walk for about a minute. It was only a minute, but it really bugged me. Those last two miles were pretty rough. I finished with a smile on my face, a pained smile, but a smile nonetheless.
Fueling – I didn’t get enough long runs in to really learn how to fuel myself. Since we switched to more of a grain-free diet last year, my energy levels weren’t quite what they were before. I need to learn how to modify my diet to compensate for that and how to fuel during the race.
Smarter Training– I’ve looked at some training plans, but I just don’t know if I could actually stick to one. I’m a rebel and like to do my own thing so following a training plan doesn’t sound like a lot of fun. I plan to make sure that I take rest days when needed and mix in some speed work. I like speed work on a treadmill, but it’s so much harder outdoors. This is the part where not having a gym membership anymore really stinks.
Strength Training– I used to be really good about this. I did tons of squats, lunges, etc. Lately though, I have really been slacking on this part of my workouts, and I feel that is starting to affect me in my running. I read somewhere that having weak hips and glutes are two of the main causes running injuries. According to Reed Ferber, Ph. D., director of the University of Calgary’s Running Injury Clinic, weak hips are often the culprit behind patellofemoral syndrome, Achilles tendinitis, and iliotibial-band syndrome. Achilles tendinitis, shinsplints, runner’s knee, and iliotibial-band syndrome have been shown to be caused by weak glutes. (source: Runner’s World Magazine)
I don’t want to have to take time off, so I need to get back to strength training, including working my abs. I hate ab work, but it’s very important as a runner to have a strong core. It’s supposed to help provide a stable stride, good running posture and help protect you from lower-back and leg injuries. I will be adding some new exercises that are supposed to help strengthen my hips and glutes as well.
Anyway, that’s the plan right now. I am so looking forward to running with my brother in June. It should be a fun day!
Have you ever done a race with a sibling? Do you follow training plans when training for a race?
