How to prepare for Nike WOTN
Running 10km probably sounds pretty scary for most of us. Or well, at least it did to me! But what if I told you that it doesn't have to be? The Nike We Own The Night 10km was only 3 weeks away when I registered, but still I am managing to prepare myself well for this. And so can you! I am definitely not an expert and I just started taking up running 3 months ago, but who knows, maybe you'll get some inspiration from how I am training for Nike WOTN.
How to train your body
I assume I don't even have to mention that you need to practice, practice, practice. It's not smart to cut back on your training if you want to make that 10k without crying like a baby. Your body needs to build up muscle, so give it the time it needs to adjust to the distance. I'm not talking about months though, you can get that awesome body of yours ready in a few weeks! A mere 2 weeks ago I had never even ran 5k without pausing (only with pausing). Then I registered for WOTN and realized that I had to step it up a notch, and completely turned my mindset around. So first I wanted to achieve my first goal: running 5k without pausing. Having done that, I went for a 6k run without pausing - it turned out that that one km really does not make a difference, if you can run 5km, you can run 6. Then I went out for an 8km run, and ended up running 10 without pausing (PLOT TWIST!).
Be aware that I am not saying you should run WOTN without pausing - do whatever you prefer. If you are more into interval running, then do that! It is completely up to you how you are going to complete those 10k. Maybe I went a bit too fast, going from 6k to 10k in a week, but it felt like I was ready. And that's the best advice that I can give you: listen to your body. Don't overstep your boundaries, but if you feel like you can keep going without injuring yourself, then your boundaries are further away than you had thought and you can push yourself a little bit. Most of the times your body is ready, but your mind is not. Before I ran 5km without pausing, I kept on thinking while running "wow I really need to stop in a moment", while in reality, it turned out that I could run for way longer than I had ever imagined! And seriously, if I can do it, you can do it. Believe in your capabilities!
What to eat beforehand
When you're going for a long distance run, it is good to stack up on carbs before. Why? Because your body burns a lot of carbs during exercising, and WOTN is going to be a long work out. However, fat food and lots of meat are a no-no. Carbohydrate-rich foods are pasta (yum!), bread, rice and potatoes. Be sure to eat your dinner at least 3-4 hours before the race, to avoid getting any physical discomforts while running. If you're hungry between mealtime and the start, eat a banana or a light sandwich. They will keep your tummy happy and will be quickly burned by your body. I'm seeing this as the perfect opportunity to splurge on pasta that night :)
Regarding what to drink - always drink water. Water has countless benefits and is always best for your body and health. I am not sure if you should drink while running, but I guess that differs with every person. Personally, I don't run with a water bottle, but you should figure out what works best for you.
How to dress
Yay! We've gotten to the most fun part: cloooothes!
Of course we are all going to wear the official Nike WOTN shirt that you have gotten in your race pack. But besides that, you're free to bring out the fashionista in you and combine it with the best pieces of your work out wardrobe. Choose something that is comfortable and supports your body in the right way. After all, it is still going to be a long run. I have recently gotten new running shoes, which I am definitely wearing! Carefully consider which shoes you will be wearing, as they really need to support your knees and joints.
(I got these Adidas babies for my birthday, so in love with them!)
And last but not least...
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! You can do this! 10k is going to be a breeze, you'll see!
Let us know if you're running WOTN, we would like to meet you fit girls! You can even win a Fitgirlcode bag if you spot Christel & Aranka first. Click here to see how you can win it.
How are you training for WOTN? Do you have any tips for me?
