Spectators, This is for You!

Originally, I titled this post: Trey, This is for you! But after thinking about it, I realized Trey is a seasoned spectator. He knows what to expect. So, everyone else, this post is for YOU.

I habitually read Runner's World Daily Blog and recently there was a training post for spectators. So, if you've never been to a race and don't know what to expect, here is a how-to-guide...a training plan, if you will, for spectators.

An Excerpt from RW Daily: A Training Plan for Spectators

       Week 1: Base building. Especially if you're starting from zero — 

        i.e. you haven't done any real       

        spectating since, say, your college years — it's important to

        start out slow.

MON: 15 minutes standing around
TUE: 5 mins standing around; 5 mins clapping; 5 mins standing around
WED: rest
THU: posterboard sign drills — lift and lower a handmade sign 50 times; warm up and cool down with 5 mins easy cheering
FRI: rest
SAT: 15 mins standing around
SUN: 30 mins spectating fartlek — freestyle blend of standing around, cheering, clapping, and/or raising arms, as you feel. 

Me talking: I think Week 4 is my favorite!

Week 4: It's taper time. This week you'll drastically cut the quantity of your cheering and standing around, while maintaining quality. Remember to get lots of rest, and drink plenty of fluids. The day before your event, sip hot water with lemon and honey to really prepare those vocal cords.

By the way, this is an open invitation to come and be a spectator at Dallas White Rock Marathon, December 5th. You can come out and cheer me on to 26.2 miles and the best part, you can keep Trey company for 4 plus hours. You already have the blueprint to be an awesome spectator, so get to it! 

A link to the full article