I am running my first marathon a week on Sunday..?

Question

Any tips?

Answer 1

Im assuming that you have done some training and just want some final tips. One answerer suggests running in the shade... in December.... I wonder where it is going to be that hot here in the UK.. never mind though.


Well here are a few tips for you and your last week.
Make sure that you sleep well all week and drink lots of water for the week before as well. You can generally eat what you want. The night and morning before are the most important times though.

NIght before eat a good meal, whatever you like, pasta if you like. Beer is OK, though not too much - it hurts running with a hangover and wouldnt drink much the night before anything longer than a morning 10k race. Again water is good here - have a beer and then a water. Prepare all your kit the night before at the latest - earlier if you can. Get your trainers, running socks, shorts (or tights, whatever in December), T Shirt, number with SAFETY PINS (dont forget them), Vaseline, energy gels and sweets, and anything else you want to take (Ipod, watch etc), put them all in a pile ready for the morning. Know how to get to the race, and read the race instructions. This preperation should take about half an hour out of your evening - relax and enjoy the evening.

You should run during the week before, but not long distances, and perhaps no running after thursday. Run easily and have fun.

Right, so all prepared.

Morning of the race, breakfast could be something like porrige, although I have run well after cereals and a couple of bacon and egg buns with a strong coffee. I would go for porrige however - a good breakfast. Drinking - coffee is OK, water is OK and so are sports drinks. Not too much, you dont want to have to stop for a 'comfort break' on the way to the race.

Oh vaseline and elestaplasts. These are important. I wouldnt run more than a 10k without them. Elastaplasts over the nipples, vaseline for other parts that rub (arm pits etc). You will thank me at the end of the race for that and you dont have bleeding nipples.

You have planned how to get to the route earlier in the week, and how long to get there, aim to get there anhour early, there is bound to be traffic delays to get to the car parks.

Eat sweets. Jelly babies are the runners sweets of choice (go for Bassetts of course).

I think that leads us to the start of the race? You have eaten a good breakfast, not forgotten anything, you have your number (and race chip if it is a chipped race) attached. Ready for the off. Fill your pockets with your sweets.

When the race starts, dont run too fast, I like to start a bit further back than my expected time would suggest. This forces me to run slowly for the first mile. The fastest marathon I have run so far the first 4km were 6 minutes as oposed to the 4 minute km's for the rest. Start slow, dont get caught up with the excitment. After a few miles you will get into your stride and enjoy the race. Since you have started further back than you might, you willbe catching people up allthrough the run,always a good moral booster to overtake someone at the half way point.

Take advantage of the water and energy drinks offered, eat your jelly babies slowly go give you a steady sugar boost.

Enjoy the crowd, they are there to cheer you on. Give them a nod as you pass, you could even offer them a clap back too if they are shouting encouragement. Say thanks to the marshals as you pass. Its a borinjg job.

Have I covered everything? Oh, enjoy the race. You can take your time a bit, chat to other runners as you go (it passes the time).


Where is the marathon by the way? Is it Luton? Did that last year, a 3 lap course which was sort of OK. Not the most picturesque though and it was cold. Wear gloves. It was run with an option for a team of 3, each person running a lap, so people overtaking you on the last lap are quite fresh, but they all gave me a shout of encouragement as they shot past.

Answer 2

Go out even do not get caught up in the excitement of the start and go too fast, because after about 10 miles you will feel it.

You should run for about 10 minutes on Saturday and do some strides and stretch. Eat normal do not try to stuff in a lot of food the night before.

Get your normal rest don't try to sleep extra.

Take water from all of the water stations even if you are not thirsty.
If you have a problem relax and let it sort itself out or stop and walk or stretch for a little while.

It is a long race and a couple of extra minutes will not matter if you are successful.

Answer 3

If you have been following a solid training plan(sounds like you have), missing your long run this Sunday will not really affect your performance on March 1st. But, you also sound a bit "Type A" (like me-4x Ironman) and you are worried about it anyway....Here's the thing-If you force the issue and run the 18 as your plan lays out, injuring yourself shouldn't be a concern, but your immune system not being able to recover 100 per cent should be. My advice is to try not to sweat it too much. See how you feel on Saturday afternoon/evening and act accordingly. I wouldn't skip the run entirely if you can help it, but just remember that 8-10 "good" miles will be much better for you in the grand scheme of things than 18 "garbage" miles. Best of luck on March 1st!!

Answer 4

1. Eat hearty
2. Vaseline
3. PLENTY of rest the night BEFORE the night before
4. Mind over matter - your mind will start playing games after about 20 miles
5. Don't pass a water stop
6. Run in the shade
7. Don't make any changes

Good Luck

Answer 5

Good Luck! Pace yourself, and stay motivated; think about the finish! I am excited for you!

Answer 6

well if you havent been training you probably wont finish so i would reccomend a 15 mile run every other day. and days in between those speed work. you def. wont be good but this training will help

Answer 7

eat carbs the night before, like spaghetti!

Answer 8

Take it slowly and carefully.

Answer 9

Take it easy, and have fun.

Answer 10

be careful