Tips for marathon runners

In three words or less, describe your running goals.

Nadia: Start, enjoy, finish.

Isabella: Enjoy the experience.

Correy: Prepared for life.

What’s your personal number-one rule for training?

Nadia: Trust yourself and the process.

Isabella: When training, do the hard workouts hard and the easy workouts EASY! Easy workouts are built into a running program on purpose and are just as important as the hard workouts.

Correy: Embrace the journey.

What’s your best tip for someone who is running their first marathon?

Nadia: Follow a training plan and / or hire a coach. No matter how many other races you’ve conquered, this distance really tests your body and mind. You don’t want to end up under-trained or injured. Trust me — it’s best to follow a plan.

Isabella: Don’t go out too hard too fast and don’t try anything new on race day.

Correy: Pay just as much attention to hydration and nutrition as you do to the running.

How do you adjust your training plan for a fast, flat race like Houston compared to other races?

Nadia: Being a Florida runner, all I know is fast and flat. Houston will be like running at home, but I can’t wait to see the change in scenery. I’m certain I won’t have to play “is it a snake or a stick” when racing in Houston.

Isabella: My last race was the Moab 240 [Ed. note: Yes, she means 240 miles] in October, which was a completely different type of training compared to a flat-road marathon. My training has changed where I now do runs on flat road, and for a lot less time, versus hiking and running for hours in the mountains. I also don’t have to worry about nighttime running, overnight running, or sleep deprivation. Now I’m concentrating more on strength work, mobility, and running in the snow and cold where I live. It takes a lot of mental strength to get out and run when it’s 14 degrees with snow and ice on the ground.

Correy: I make sure that my easy pace runs are a legit easy pace so that I don’t get overly confident and forget what it feels like to pace myself.

What’s your dream marathon?

Nadia: Honolulu! I grew up there and haven’t been back since. I’d love to return with my son and race on the same streets I rode the school bus on.

Isabella: I am not much into road races, but I think it would be really cool to run one of the marathon majors, such as London. I love traveling and taking runcations. My dream ultra-race though, is to one day get into the Hardrock 100.

Correy: Tokyo

What’s the best post-race meal?

Nadia: Margaritas and nachos! It covers all the food groups, plus a little extra.

Isabella: I love sandwiches! Way more than pizza or burritos. Give me all the veggies, cheese, and avocado on thick sourdough bread with some salty potato chips and a cold beer. And none of that light stuff, I’m talking about a real craft beer!

Correy: My wife’s shrimp and grits!

Fun facts about the Chevron Houston Marathon

• First Race. December 30, 1972 
• First field. 113 runners  
• By the numbers through the years. 70,000 volunteers, 20,000 spectators, 13,500 marathoners. 
• Presidential choice. Former President George W. Bush ran the course in 1993, finishing in 3 hours 44 minutes.  
• Record-breaking race. The fast, flat course has featured a number of record-breaking runs, including the 2007 North American men’s half-marathon record. A course record has been broken each year for the past six years. 
• Times to beat. Men: 2:06:51 (Tariku Jufar, 2012) Women: 2:19:12 (Keira D’Amato, 2022).  
• Run For a Reason Program. Pair race training with fundraising and use your run to give back to a philanthropy of your choice.