Marathon Week: Words of Advice from My Wise Frunners

As I was running my last long run on Sunday my mind wandered a bit and I thought about what I wanted to say in my blog this week. I am merely days away from my first marathon and I felt as if I should have something inspiring to say...you know, something that profound that would knock your socks off! That is when the idea hit me--why not let all of the experienced runners I know do the talking for me. I am so lucky to be surrounded by some INCREDIBLE runners. We are talking multiple marathoners, ultra marathoners, fifty milers, and some who will be taking on hundred milers in the next year. So I turned to the social media networks--Facebook, Twitter, and Daily Mile--and asked for their advice for a rookie/1st time marathoner. The responses were just fabulous, like I said--I'm lucky to know such diverse and experienced runners. I have sorted through all of the tips and tidbits and have found that most of them fall within a few basic categories: inspirational, practical, straight up running, and humorous.

Practical:
Bring toilet paper you never know when you might need it out on the course. I’ve seen races where they ran out before the race even started. Night before place everything you need out on the floor, especially if you are traveling. –Rodney

Bring a throw away sweatshirt to wear while waiting for the race to start. It will be cold before starting. –Mark L.

Lube everything that might rub. EVERYTHING. Most importantly – have fun. –Rick

1.Before the race, go to the port-a-potty. Then get out of it and go to the back of the port-o-potty line. Do it.
2. Don't plan on sleeping a lot the night before. Nerves are too much. Get a huge sleep two nights before and know that will be enough to get you through.
3. Plan out your celebration-i.e. ice cream with relatives afterward so there is no strain on your time. –Andrew

Straight Up Running:
Run SLOW! No time goals! –Libby

Goals are great, but deal with what the day gives you. If you see a goal slip away mid-race, re-assess and move on. A positive attitude will carry you a lot of miles…and a negative attitude can keep you in misery a lot of miles. If you have people coming to cheer, ask them to come around mile 16 or 20…at the finish line, you’ll have all the energy you need to cross, it’s those “wall” miles when a familiar face can make all the difference. –Lesley J

The start is key. DON’T go out too fast! The excitement at the start will be high, soak it in but don’t get caught up in it. If stressed in the later miles try to smile. You will do great I wish you well. –Byron

1) Be sure finishing is one of your goals. 2) Have fun! –Matt F

Your goal for this first should be to finish, nothing else. I’ve seen a few people set the marathon goal bar a little too high, only to come away disappointed. Use the first one as a measuring tool for your next. You’ll know what to expect then. –Marlon O.

Don’t let all the positive energy and excitement make you run too fast at the start! –Jeremy C

If you trained with walk/run intervals trust your training and do not skip the planned intervals, especially the early ones. Make sure your time goal matches your successful training runs. Pacing, patience, pacing, patience and do not start out too fast. Good luck! –Paula R

Go big, or go home! ….and stay with the pace you trained for, the temptation will be to run it faster, don’t. –Reece C.

Listen to your body until mile 20, then it is all about your brain. Trust your training, follow your plan, don’t let anyone else try and change it. Don’t go out too fast, don’t change anything you have been doing, and SMILE when you cross that finish line. –Elizabeth M

You trained for a reason – stick with your pace/intervals/eating/clothing that you trained with. There are others faster/slower/running various intervals/ paces – that’s THEIR race and not yours. “Dance with the one who brung ya”…don’t ignore what has worked for you these last few months. –Mel K

START slower than your goal pace, then at the end run like a bad ass when you have something left in the tank (it feels so much better to finish strong). And the last 4miles of White Rock are essentially downhill. I agree that the last 6 miles are mind over matter. Good luck! --Robin D.

Nobody-nobody has figured out the best way to run the last 10k of a marathon. Don't set a time goal. Your only goal is to finish. --Andrew

The mythical "wall" everybody talks about is extremely mobile and never in the same spot 2 races in a row. At last year's Honolulu Marathon they decided to put it at the 16 mile mark. The year before they had it at the 20. What gives?!?! Maybe this year they'll have it at 26.3 miles. :) Serious tip: DON'T start off too fast. If anything, go slow to the point where you feel like you're doing something wrong. Adrenaline at the start is cool and all, but if you go out too fast it WILL bit you in the butt. –Jan J

Run the first 10 miles with your head, the second 10 miles with your legs, and the last 10K with your heart. (I read this somewhere...wish I remembered where...)

Run your 1st marathon to have a good time rather than to run a fast time. –Hal Higdon (my "coach" whose books and training plans I have been following)

Inspirational:
Tell everyone you know you’re doing the race. When mile 22 comes and you want to quit, you will think of all their faces. —Elaine

When you are feeling low, trust your training and smile at the crowd. But most of all, have fun!! –Marci

Enjoy the moment, it will be loud so take it all in! Wave and make eye contact with the people cheering, they will cheer harder! Don’t stare at the clock and sprint for the finish! Stay steady, look to your left and right and see the fans cheering for you! –Derek

Take time at the finish to enjoy the moment. You just did something pretty incredible – soak it in! Smile, cry, hug, accept praise. –Amy

Enjoy the ride. You can try for a time goal on the next one. You’ve trained so hard relish every step! Also, trust your training! --Corina

Don't stop when it hurts. Kick the sh** out of the wall if you encounter it. It's okay to cry when you cross the finish line. Remember you can rest when you are done. Have fun and be a super star! –Fawn

Keep your eye on the ball – the finish line. –Rebekah

Humorous:
How about, watch the marathon on tv while eating a big bag of chips with dip…just sayin’ --Jeff E

Stick to whatever beer you trained with. –Erik

Don’t trip. –Jaela

Cat’s White Rock Marathon advice:
1. Lube up any/all body parts that touch other body parts
2. Drink the beer at 18, eat the free food on Swiss Ave
3. Stuff a few tissues in your pockets; potties often run out of paper and you can always sell them to the highest bidder
4. Don’t toss your gloves too early, you may be cold on the “other” side of the lake.
5. Plan a pig out somewhere because the food at White Rock is pretty sad.

My favorite advice comes from Michelle B.--
Don’t run slow!! Run hard, you’ve trained like a bad ass, race like a bad ass!! You should cross that finish line knowing you left it all out there. You only get 1 first marathon, no regrets! (Seriously, doesn't that fire you up? Who doesn't want to race like a bad ass?)

Runners are very generous people and I appreciate everyone taking a moment or two to share their thoughts, support, and advice with me. I am so excited the marathon and can hardly wait for Sunday to get here. The training is done, the miles have been run (the hay is in the barn, as so many say)--hang on tight because the the ride is about to begin!

Oh and be sure to stop by That Pink Girlfor a peek at what Erik will be busy doing on marathon day. Hint...it involves BOOBS!!