We’re exactly two weeks away from the biggest, baddest running event in our area! To help get you ready for race day, here’s a 2-week Countdown to the Atlantic City Marathon in New Jersey.

Countdown to the Atlantic City Marathon

Day 14 - Start Training on a Running/Rest Rotation

Some of our members started training for this event back in July, when we posted Workout Smarter, Not Harder: The New Way to Train for a Marathon. Here is a schedule you can follow if you’re starting today, to maximize your training over the next two weeks. Tapering mileage is key to training for a race so don’t wait any longer. It’s crunch time so you better put the work in, but respect the rest days so you don’t overwork yourself. You don’t want to put yourself at risk for the 3 most common running injuries.

Day 13 - Evaluate and Adjust Your Eating

How has your diet been lately? This is no time to get lax when it comes to eating well. Poor diet choices will take a toll on your body and you’ll pay for it on big time on race day. Curious about the most highly recommended diet for an athlete? It’s the Mediterranean Diet, and you can read all about it here.

Day 12 - Meet Up with Other Race Participants

Come out to train as a group tonight with a few others who signed up to run in the Atlantic City Marathon! We’re doing a group workout tonight in Galloway, New Jersey and if you’ve never met up with our run/walk group before you can join in for free and get together with AC Marathon participants.

Day 11 - Clarify Your “Why”

Mindset is the make or break when you’re doing something hard, like running a race. Why did you decide to join the Atlantic City Marathon this year? What is pushing you to run? Clarify this and hold onto it as a motivator to keep a determined and positive mindset.

Day 10 - Join the Club and Run To The Best You (again)

If you joined us for a group workout last Tuesday, you probably had the most fun you’ve had in awhile. Our run/walk group puts the FUN back into running, and we’re meeting up again tonight. Our team is really good at working together for health, accountability, and happiness for all. Join the club and let’s make this official! 

Day 9 - Hydration, Hydration, Hydration

Increase your water intake starting right now to help flush your system and hydrate your body. There’s nothing worse than running a race when you’re parched, so give yourself the advantage of drinking more water and your body will thank you.

Day 8 - Make sure you’re getting enough sleep this week

Today is a rest day so take the opportunity to go to bed early or wake up a bit later. Don’t deprive yourself of mental or physical recovery that we can only get from rest. Sweet Dreams.

Day 7 - Celebrate and Reflect on Your Commitment

You’ve made it to the midpoint of your race preparation! We are now just one week away and hopefully you’ve been following the countdown to the Atlantic City Marathon like a champ! Take time for yourself today to celebrate your progress. Reflect on your commitment to do this race.

Day 6 - Check your Running Shoes

A good pair of sneakers can only last so many miles. Check the tread and condition of your running shoes and make sure you’re going to be comfortable and well supported when you lace up. If not, go purchase a pair and wear them all week so they’re broken in as we countdown to the Atlantic City Marathon.

Day 5 - Invite a Friend to Train with You Tonight

You’re scheduled to run 3-4 miles today, so why not bring a friend? If you’ve joined the run/walk club and you’re coming back to Run To The Best You in Galloway tonight, you’ll be surrounded by new friends. But hey, invite someone else to come along for some cardio as you keep pushing ahead to the race! You may even inspire your friend to run the race with you, or maybe they’ll show up for you at the finish line!

Day 4 - Enjoy a Calm Form of Cross Training

Today is the day for cross training so take a break from running and work another set of muscles instead. Do something calm like swimming, yoga, biking. Don’t try anything too crazy if you’re not used to it - wait until after the marathon if you want to experiment with HIIT or Acro.

Day 3 - Model SAVERS Technique for a Great Start to the Day

If you have never heard of the SAVERS method, it’s time to discover the recipe for a happy and productive day. Learn how to incorporate Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing into your morning routine - even if you only have an hour to spare! You can put this into practice after the race and really take control of your day to day life.

Day 2 - Beat the anxiety and channel your energy

Switch the energy that you get from anxiety about the race, and turn it into good energy to be used for the race. Plan on some self-care tonight to support your run tomorrow. Whether it’s a relaxing bath or a favorite movie after dinner, enjoy your evening and get a great sleep. Think of yourself as an Olympic medalist and you’re reading to add another medal to the collection.

Day 1 - You’ve made it to Race Day! (today and tomorrow)

Finally, you’ve made it to the Atlantic City Marathon Weekend! You are trained, prepared, and going to crush it today! Have a great race - and don’t forget to say hi to your buddies Tadris Parker and the Keep Calm And Run To The Best You team! We’ll see you there!

Upcoming Races and Running Events in Atlantic City NJ Area

For information about upcoming races and running events in the Atlantic City NJ area, bookmark the South Jersey Race Events page on the Keep Calm and Run To The Best You website. Members of our run/walk club receive discounts on race registration, access to group workouts, and individual coaching.

Here are the next few races on the calendar:

October 16-17, 2021

Atlantic City 5k, 10k, Half & Full Marathon

Atlantic City, NJ

November 6, 2021 

Trail of 2 Cities 5K

Somers Point, NJ

November 25, 2021

The Fast And The Furriest 5k

Ocean City, NJ

Run in the Atlantic City Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, or 5K

If you’re not planning on running a full marathon, there’s an option to participate in shorter races this weekend: half-marathon, 10k, or 5k. These races are open to runners and walkers, but there is a time limit in order to be eligible for placement and prizes.

Sign Up for the Atlantic City Marathon in NJ

Register online for the Atlantic City Marathon and keep up with our countdown to get ready for the big race in two weeks! It’s not too late - you can do this because you have a plan and a support system to propel you toward your running goal. Reach out to Coach Tadris for information on group workouts or partner with him in training one-on-one for the next race.