It’s hard to beat Savannah for a nice, long run. Our city has everything a runner needs with good weather, beautiful scenery, great athletic resources, and a list of races to choose from almost every weekend. And now Savannah runners have what they’ve dreamed of for a long time: a marathon to call their own!
It seemed like mere hours after the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon franchise announced the November 5, 2011, race in Savannah that runners began lacing up to get ready. Want to take the plunge but don’t know where to start? Here’s a guide to getting started.
1. MAKE A COMMITMENT: If you plan on crossing the finish line that day, your first stop needs to be the official website: runrocknroll.competitor.com/savannah. There you can get all the latest information about the race and register for either 26.2 miles or 13.1. Check out all of the event highlights and merchandise, and take a look at their training programs because you’re going to have to train. And the sooner you get started the better you’ll feel at the end.
2. RESEARCH STARTEGIES: There are numerous philosophies about training for such a long run. Do some research and see what appeals to you. Find a marathoner or two and ask how they trained and what they would do differently next time. Visit one of our running resources and pepper the staff with questions. Find a friend and commit to training together. It’s a lot harder to skip an early morning training run on a rainy day when you know there is someone waiting for you on the corner.
3. GET ADVICE: You can get helpful advice and all the gear you need at Savannah’s Fleet Feet Sports at 3405 Waters Avenue. Owner and local race guru Robert Espinoza maintains a full list of area races on the store’s website: fleetfeetsavannah.com. The store has also just hired a fitness trainer, Lydia DePue, who is hosting training classes for every level of fitness. If your goal this year is a 5K, 10K, half or full marathon, joining a training group is one of the best ways to maintain your focus. One of Fleet Feet’s most popular services is their FIT analysis, which involves a detailed study of your feet, your gait, and your fitness goals to put you in the perfect shoe.
See the latest issue of South magazine for more tips and upcoming race dates!
