Motivate Me!

With the Winter Solstice behind us we have only more daylight to look forward to.  Unfortunately, it will still be a few months before the daylight will be long enough for early morning and evening runs.  The winter months often require a bit more motivation to resist the snooze button or the warm chair by the fire.  Here are some helpful tips from the Boston Running Examiner to keep you from hibernating until Spring.  Stick with it and you’ll be right on track for the Canyonlands Half Marathon.  Read the full article.

Tread the treadmill: Treadmills have received a bad rap in the past, but winter is the perfect time to embrace the "indoor road." If you approach the 'mill with a plan, you're less likely to get bored. To spice up a long run, try some random speed play throughout your session to pass the time. Tempo runs are ideal on the treadmill: 20 minute warmup, 25-30 minute tempo run, 20 minute cool down. For something a bit faster, try doing 4x1mile repeats with 5 min run rest in between--it may feel awkward at first, but you'll warm up to it. Any interval less than a mile may get tricky and inefficient, so stick with something a little longer.

Cross-train: When the snow is falling faster than the temperatures, some days it's just not realistic to run outside. Winter is a great time to take advantage of the gym and ultimately protect your body from overtraining with running. Try a Spinning class, as it combines cardiovascular upper and lower body exercise. Remember you can log more minutes cross-training than running because it's lower impact.

Get strong: For days when you aren't motivated to run outside--or run at all-- take the time to lift some weights and strengthen your core. For distance runners, it's best to do high reps and lower weight when lifting. Planks, side planks, superman's and bridges are all great core strengthening exercises that will help your form and strength. Strengthen any areas that have been bothered by lingering injuries. Even try something new like yoga to build long, lean, runner-esque muscles. For those days when you aren't up for a long run, try doing a half run and then go to the gym to lift. It'll seem like a nice break from running while being an extremely efficient and effective workout. 

Guarantee Your Entry to the Canyonlands Half Marathon

Each year we have many more lottery applications than spots for the Canyonlands Half Marathon, and securing one of those coveted spots can be difficult.  Guarantee your spot through one of these methods.

Pick up the Pace: Win your age group in the Canyonlands Half Marathon or any other Moab Half Marathon race and you'll also win a spot at the next year's Canyonlands Half Marathon.
 Stick With It: Run nine Canyonlands Half Marathons and qualify for the 10 Year Club, which guarantees a spot on all future races or run all three Moab Half Marathon races in one year and we'll give you a spot in the next Canyonlands Half Marathon.
Type Fast: Be among the first 100 racers to register for the Winter Sun 10k and receive a guarantee entry for the Canyonlands Half Marathon. You must pick up your entry in person at the Winter Sun 10k packet pick-up.
Be Generous: Registrants who donate their entry fees to a local charity when they are not picked in the lottery for Canyonlands Half Marathon receive a guarantee entry into the following year’s race.  This is our way of saying “Thank You” for supporting important community entities like Grand County Cross Country Team, the Humane Society of Moab Valley and Girls On The Run. Or Fundraise for Hometown Heroes or Team in Training and receive a guarantee entry into the Canyonlands Half Marathon.  These organizations raise money for cancer research, education and patient support.

Registration for the 2010 lottery is now open and will close on December 10th, so make sure you get your application in on time.  This is a race you don't want to miss!

Don't Miss Your Chance!

The lottery for an entry to the Canyonlands Half Marathon opens November 25 and closes December 10th.  Don't miss your chance to run one of the most beautiful courses in the country.  Registration will only be accepted online or through the mail, and everyone who registers will be entered into a lottery for 4,000 spots.  Check out the website for details

Welcome!

Here it it, the Official Moab Half Marathon Blog.  We'll be bringing you all the information you need to know to sign up and want to know to get inspired.  Check in with us to find out what we've been up to, important race dates and valuable info from our sponsors.