Today on the blog: our team captain James Mazzuto and his running buddies Cesar and Taylor are sharing tips for training and gear.

James Mazzuto

I started running about 2 1/2 years ago. Cesar and I made a pact one day after work that we would run a half-marathon within the next six months. I was not by any means a runner and an absolute beginner. So to get started, I purchased two books on running and highly recommend both.

1977: a good year for running shorts.

The first book I read was James Fixx’s The Complete Book of Running. The book was published in 1977 – I purchased my copy for $0.99 + shipping on Amazon and wouldn’t trade it for the world. Fixx studies running, its physical and mental benefits and how to get started. It’s totally old school but, then again, so is running. Do yourself a favor, get a copy and give it to your kids when they get older because it’s never going out of style.

 

I always thought that I couldn’t run because I wasn’t built for it.

The second book I read was Born To Run by Christopher McDougall. McDougall travels around finding the worlds greatest runners. He has some interesting (read: controversial) things to say about modern running shoes but overall the book is very informative and entertaining. Reading about how the human body was built for running was inspiring, as I always thought that I couldn’t run because I wasn’t built for it.

Last tip: watch what you eat. I love a slice of king cake just as much as the next person but your body needs fruits and vegetables to power itself. I’m not saying to go with any extreme diet but bringing in a piece of fruit for an afternoon snack rather than hitting the vending machine will go further than you think.

James’ Gear

Errr, where are your running shorts, Mazzuto?

• Running shoes – as you can see from the picture, mine are getting close to replacement.  A good set of running shoes is an investment in your happiness.

• Cell phone – I bring the phone in case of emergencies or if I see something cool that I want to post to twitter (@MIRSolar). It’s good for music but I only listen to music about half the time.  There are a bunch of free apps that will track your runs, motivate you and let you play with helicopters (that last one is not so running specific).

• Credit Card – Whether you’re cold, thirsty, hungry or tired, you can get most what you want with a credit card.

• ID – Because the best reward for a long, hot summer run is a cold beer.  Bring your ID.

The post James’ Training and Gear Tips appeared first on Make It Right.

We’ve got you covered for all of the above! Make It Right is an official charity partner in one of New Orleans’ favorite races – the Crescent City Classic 10k – and we’d LOVE to have you join our running team!

Here’s how to get your FREE race registration and help Make It Right:

1. Select your FREE race registration by signing up to run with Make It Right.
   
2. Send the link to your fundraising page to friends and family and ask them to support you in your run with Make It Right.

Crescent City Classic is asking every charity runner to commit to raise at least $200 for their chosen charity.

And Crescent City Classic and Make It Right are offering some AMAZING benefits to our runners:

• Free race registration

• Incredible prizes for runners who raise the most money for their chosen charity, including:
  • Two suite tickets to a Saints home game in the Superdome PLUS suite accommodations at Hyatt Regency New Orleans and breakfast for two before the game
  • Dinner party for ten people in private dining room at 8 Block Kitchen and Bar. Five-course dinner, including wine pairings, provided by Chef Eric Damidot
  • 1 ½ hour cocktail party for 20 people in Vitascope Hall private dining room
  • …and many more!

• Free Make It Right t-shirts to the first 20 runners who sign-up

• Premium placement in the race – you’ll line up right behind the seeded runners. That means there’s only a few people in front of you and tens of thousands of people behind you. You’ll have one of the very best spots in the race.

• Access to VIP area in Champions Square at the start of the race (yay! better bathrooms!)

• Private party in the Make It Right tent at the end of the race

• Make It Right team runs and training program

• and a lot of surprises along the way!

You can do it! Even if you’ve never run in your life, you can be a part of Make It Right’s Crescent City Classic team.

Over the next few months, our running team captains Cesar, James and Taylor will give you our running tips, gear details, training regimens, playlists and will host team runs through some of New Orleans’ most scenic routes.

We’re all amateur runners who dusted off our sneakers in our mid-30s to get more exercise. We’re not the fastest runners on the track – but we have a lot of fun.

Want to take a leisurely walk instead of running? That’s totally fine too. All speeds are welcome.

What are you waiting for? Sign up today and join our team!

Happy Running,

James, Taylor & Cesar

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