So what to do about needing to use the bathroom a few miles into a run? My stomach gets crazy. If I race I do a mile run when I wake up before eating but this doesn't always take care of the issue?

Hey Strong Runners 💪🏃‍♂️ My goal with this post and community is to help you with your half or full marathon training. I could post random content but I think it would be best if I directly answered your questions… So with that being said, what do you need the most help with right now? What is the biggest challenge you are having with your training? Let me know and I will make a post about it. Tony

I talk to runners all the time who say they want to finish their marathon strong. They say they want to feel good crossing the finish line and be able to recover quickly after. And who wouldn’t? But unfortunately this isn’t the reality for most runners. Most runners are hurting… Their legs are in so much pain it hurts to take another step. They try to persevere and push through, but with several miles until the finish line their run turns into a jog… Which then turns into a shuffle… And then to a walk… Only to cross the finish line like a Zombie from the Walking Dead and with a time they aren’t proud of. Their goals of running another marathon quickly disappears. And I was one of these runners… When I ran my first marathon years ago I was hurting so bad I never thought I would run again. But over the years I have fine-tuned my strategy so now I can finish a marathon strong and feel good after. And the one thing that will help you finish your marathon strong is strength training. If you want to finish strong, you have to be strong. So what I recommend is strength training 3x a week and having it be the foundation piece to your marathon training. And if that means replacing a couple of your runs with lifting, then do it! But here’s the thing… You have to lift weights correctly… With the right amount weight, volume, and intensity. Because if not, it becomes a waste of time. And then you won’t have the endurance or the strength to run your marathon. So make sure you give it your all when you lift weights. I always say I want my strength training workouts to be harder than running a half marathon. You should be sore for a couple of days after you lift weights. But you’ll thank yourself later when you crush it on your marathon.

Hi I'm Cindy and looking to train for a half marathon in the fall. Had 2 foot surgeries so 3 days a week of running is my max. Ran a 10 miler in April with an average pace of 8:44 a mile. Would like to improve my pace and add the 3 extra miles. I already lift 3 days a week for years so am pretty strong. Hoping this program can help me increase my speed.