Who says newbies can’t be great runners? Michelle Estuar, this month’s cover girl for Runner’s World Philippines, hasn't been running long (just over a year or so), but she’s already won third place in the Pocari Sweat 16k race. This just goes to show that as long as you work hard and follow a rigorous training plan, reaping the fruits of your labor may not be far behind. Interested in taking up running? Michelle shares a few tips on keeping your sights on the goal.
1. GIVE YOURSELF A REWARD
After you successfully finish a race, treat yourself to some of your favorite things. You deserve it! Michelle’s favorite after-race treat is a buffet breakfast (or a slice of chocolate cake).
2. AVOID DISTRACTIONS
When heading out for a run, avoid bringing anything that might distract you from running. Michelle personally doesn’t bring an mp3 player. “Instead, I follow a beat in my head,” she says. “It helps me focus on my form and keep a regular pace.”
3. JOIN MORE RACES
The name of the game is practice. The more you run, the more experience you get. With experience comes eventual expertise. Michelle shares how she can’t wait to the Bataan Death March Race again next year, even after she experienced a lot of pain doing it this year.
4. RUN WITH A FRIEND
A little friendly competition can go along a way. Race with a friend to give yourself additional motivation. Michelle shares how racing with her teammates from Team Hardcore has really made her push herself to the limit. You’ll never know what you’ll be able to accomplish with a nudge in the right direction.
5. DON’T BE A QUITTER
When the going gets tough, it’s easy to just call it quits, but a true athlete is determined to get to the goal. If you fall, just get back up again. You’ll feel great once you get to the finish line. The Bataan Death March was a painful ordeal for Michelle, but she kept on going and finished it. “When I reached the 120km mark, I cried,” Michelle tells Runner World. “Finishing is the most rewarding of all rewards.”
(For more tips from Michelle Estuar, grab a copy of the June 2010 issue of Runner’s World Philippines with your copy of Women’s Health.)(Photo by Jay Tablante.)
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