Preparing for the Peachtree

By Martha Dalton

June 2, 2010 – Many runners in the Metro area are gearing up for the Peachtree Road Race next month. WABE's Martha Dalton reports on strategies to help runners survive the country's biggest 10-K.

Jeff Galloway is a former Olympic runner, who won the first Peachtree Road Race. Now he's a coach. He says the Peachtree is a good race for beginners because it's so crowded.

"You cannot go very fast in most cases. That ends up being a really good thing because the number one mistake that beginning runners make is starting too fast."

Galloway advises taking "walk breaks" during training runs. He says once a week you should run a distance longer than the race - at a slower pace.

"The slower you go, the quicker you will recover, and yet you will get all of the endurance."

If you're struggling to finish, he says, shift your focus

"One more step, the rhythm of running, I can do it, I can do it. Those types of mantras have been very successful in getting people through the rough patches."

The Peachtree Road Race turns 40 years old this year.