The Broad Street rundown: 3 tips for staying on course

Are you on your mark, ready and set to go for the 37th annual Broad Street Run?  This week's column is dedicated to the fresh faces who make it to the finish line.  Here are the top three scenarios you can expect to run into as we begin our sprint to race day:

The Runs.  Expect your mind to race and your belly to bubble the night before you hit the pavement for that 10-mile march. I rehearsed the excuses that I would use for why I couldn't show up the next day.  "I'm a Personal Trainer, and it would be quite irresponsible to put myself in a situation where I could injure my body - it is my livelihood."  My mantra that evening was "livelihood."  I fell asleep to that caustic chant. The night of my first race, I slept a minimal amount of hours.  I had visions of awful situations, such as not having the fuel to make it through to the end, or having my stomach turn into a real party pooper.  I tossed and turned, restlessly shooting irritated glances at my clock. Two hours later, my alarm nagged me out of my nap, and I mechanically put on the sports gear I meticulously arranged the night before.  My stomach and mind had settled.  I realized that my nerves were nothing more than that, and I was ready to pound some pavement.  Let your anxiety run it's course, just don't let it keep you from running yours.

Team Player.  The only person you are in competition with is yourself.  However, once you join the other runners in your corrals, you will begin to experience a strong sense of community.  There is something really amazing about thousands of people unifying for a single goal.  You are sectioned off into blocks, which are determined by your estimated finish time.  Hopefully you didn't get a little overzealous in guessing your pace, as you will quickly feel like a villager participating in the Running of the Bulls trying to fall in line with those around you.

Go the Distance.  Once your corral is announced, you can expect to get off to a running start.  Crowds are cheering, women are throwing their braziers at you, mothers are holding out their babies for a kiss on the noggin - you are a running rock star.  What you may not anticipate is hitting a rough spot around mile three, which may have you wanting to veer off course and hide behind a telephone pole.  The adrenaline tends to wear off a little sooner than you expect, and that self-defeating monster will start rearing it's ugly head.  While I hope you don't experience this, you should anticipate and prepare for it.  Equip your mind with a mantra that will keep you motivated.  For me, I thought of a personal hero of mine.  Jamie Lieberman, was my inspiration.  She was the best person I had ever known.  Her positive energy was contagious, along with her 100-watt smile that would light up the room.  She also fought one hell of a battle with breast cancer.  Jaime's body moved on to heaven several years after her diagnosis, but her spirit continues to burn bright with a legacy that will live on forever.  Jamie adds a beat to my heart in most things I do in life; this was no different.  Find someone or something that motivates your mind and fuels your fire to succeed.  I assure you, it will put a strong gust of wind in your sails and help you coast across the finish line.

Best wishes in running the good race!  See you at the finish line.

Earn it.

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