On Sunday, March 17, the streets of New Bedford will be buzzing with runners and spectators from all over for the New Bedford Half Marathon. 

Maybe running 13.1 miles sounds impossible to you, or it’s a distance you thoroughly enjoy, or one that is on your bucket list…As far as we’re concerned, the one running goal that matters most is to run happy. 

Speed and distance mean very little unless it makes you happy. If you’re killing yourself to maintain a sub-9 minute pace and you’re hating every second of it, why not slow down? Slowing down will help you find your rhythm, your breath, your ‘happy pace’. 

We are designed to run. Now, whether you want to run or not, is up to you… But it doesn’t need to be dreadful. Forget what you think is ‘slow’ or ‘not very far’. Learning to run safely and within your pace is where you’ll find the joy in running. 

Here are some tips to either start running or improve your running outlook:

• Use quick, short steps. Ideally your cadence will be 160-200 steps per minute. 
• Land your feet under your body every time – over striding creates more impact, can cause all sorts of injuries, and it uses up too much energy.
• Use your arm swing to help keep your steps on pace. Think about driving the elbows back instead of reaching the hands forward. 
• Stay light on your feet – always pushing the floor away instead of ‘landing’. The quicker you can keep your cadence, the lighter you’ll be.
• Don’t worry about your pace. Not every run needs to be tempo. Just keep breathing.
• Use landmarks to manage your output. Run from one post to the other and then back off your effort for two more posts… 

Everyone is different and will need to focus on different things in order to find their happy place. These tips are pretty universal, but maybe you could use some focus on ankle mobility, stride, breathe, or another area affected by or affecting your running. If you would like more focused work on how to improve your run, private training can help. Not to mention that strength training is essential for healthy joints and strong bones.

If you’re looking for something a little less intense than a half marathon in 2024, the Mother’s Day 5k will be on May 12 at Cisco Brewers. It will be a beautiful 3.1 mile walk, jog, or run by the beaches in the South End of New Bedford. It’s a family friendly event and we have a team! 

Visit the Women’s Fund website to register and choose Boutique Fitness as your team 🙂