I could see my mom up ahead, medal around her neck, smiling.

“Dammit, how is she smiling?” I thought.

This was the sole thought running through my head as I dragged myself up the final incline. I was so sore I was numb, but not numb enough to smile through it.

“Seriously, how is she smiling?”

As my sneaker finally made its way across the striped black and yellow barrier, a medal was thrust over me, a banana was handed to me and a water bottle was practically forced down my esophagus. I was still not smiling.

13.1 miles. It seemed harmless enough four months back when my mom — an avid half-marathon and marathon runner — had asked if I would like to join her for the race. As a competitive soccer and lacrosse player, I told myself that attending my team’s practices and playing in tournaments would be enough training for the run.

And it was enough. Just not enough to get me over the finish line smiling nor over the finish line at the same time as my mother.

Over the next few days, as I limped around, friends inquired about how the race went. They wanted to know if I would do it again, if I enjoyed it, if I was happy with my time, if I beat my mom.

Always a bad liar, I had to sheepishly explain that my mom was a fervent runner who not only kept up with me, but kicked my butt. And while I am really proud to have a mother who’s in incredible shape, I will tell you it doesn’t feel great to have to tell your teammates and coaches that you couldn’t outrun someone in their early forties.

So this year, I decided I am going to seize back my dignity.

On Oct. 31, 2015, my mother and I will be running in the Philadelphia Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and I refuse to fall behind.

Unlike the last time I decided to take on this challenge, I am not playing on any sports teams and therefore cannot rely on practices and games to keep my stamina up — not that this really worked out last time.

This past summer I researched methods of training that would help me at least stay in stride with my mom come Halloween. I was struck that many online guides said that while long-distance training was obviously essential, runners who want to improve their time should try HIIT training.

Runner’s World defines HIIT or high-intensity interval training as repeated bursts of running as hard as you can for anywhere from 10 to 60 seconds and then following that with a break one to four times the length of the sprint. You then complete this process and, over time, build to longer bursts.

The short-lived yet strenuous effort thrusts more oxygen-rich blood around your body, in turn strengthening your cardiovascular system and allowing your muscles to improve their usage of the blood. This not only helps to enhance your stamina but also the coordination between your nervous system and your muscles improving your stride.

And even for those who aren’t committed to a 13.1 or 26.2 mile run, HIIT training has other benefits. If you’re going for weight loss, HIIT revs up your body’s repair cycle so you will continue to burn calories even after the workout is over. If you’re looking for stronger and more toned legs, the exertion of HIIT training tears your muscles and helps rebuild them with more mass.

For the past three months I have been experimenting with different types of HIIT training and incorporating it into my long runs. For me, I find it best to also add in yoga and brisk walks to stay stretched out and prevent muscle and ligament strains.

There is no set recipe for success when it comes to running your best race and honestly, if you’re running regularly, you should be able to compete just fine. Unless of course you really don’t want your mom to beat you, in which case, I would recommend looking into HIIT or something of the like.

Cheers mom, I’m coming for you.

Alex Archambault is a sophomore newspaper and online journalism major. You can email her at ararcham@syr.edu or follow her @Alex_And_Raa on Twitter.

Published on September 14, 2015 at 8:48 pm