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Post by Clint Allen on Jan 2, 2011 14:22:03 GMT -5
Wow! The weather looks to be awful 7 days out from the marathon. Low 36, high 54. 40% chance of rain.
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Post by Kenny Pfeiffer on Jan 4, 2011 9:52:14 GMT -5
How is that awful again? I mean, I hope it doesn't rain, but the temps are perfect!
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Post by Samantha Gardner on Jan 4, 2011 17:10:11 GMT -5
I was thinking that the temps looked pretty good too. Anyone have any last minute advice for a first time marathoner on fueling, pacing, etc.?
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Post by Clint Allen on Jan 4, 2011 20:10:28 GMT -5
It would be the cold wet rain, dude. Rain is not fun to run in for 26.2 miles.
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Post by Kenny Pfeiffer on Jan 4, 2011 22:35:53 GMT -5
Sam, I bet you're getting pretty antsy if you are anything like I was before my first marathon. I am by no means an expert but I will tell you what has worked for me. Just remember that the hay is in the barn and keep telling yourself you are ready because you are. First of all, make sure you eat some carbs and get plenty of rest Friday night, that is the most important night. You will probably not sleep well Saturday night due to anxiety so rest up on Friday. Try not to pay too much attention to the weather. It's nice to know what conditions you will be running in, but you cannot change it and it can totally stress you out. On race morning I like to wake up 2.5 hours before the race and eat a little sugary bread product like a muffin or pop tarts and drink a little gatorade. Then I take a long, warm shower. Also, leave some time to handle business (usually a couple of times). Take a quick pee break just before the start and make sure your shoes are double knotted. One good thing about the marathon is you don't have to worry about a warmup. Once the gun goes off, take it out very conservatively. Because of adrenaline, you are going to feel like you are crawling...that is a good thing, do not speed up. You want to feel very comfortable when you reach the halfway point. At the half you can adjust based on how you are feeling and either speed up a little or maintain your pace. If you choose to speed up, I would not recommend any more than 5-10 seconds per mile as the fun has not yet started. When you reach mile 20, its go time. At this point I, usually try to pick it up and start counting down the miles knowing I can finish at least maintaining my pace. It feels good to fly by those people who went out way too fast in the last 10K.
As far as fueling goes, I take my gels at miles 7, 14, and 21, but that is up to you. Make sure to drink at every water stop even if you do not feel thirsty. I like to alternate water and gatorade at each stop. That being said, always make sure to take water when you take a gel as gatorade tends to mess up my stomach when taken with a gel.
Other than that have FUN. It is an amazing experience and accomplishment and you will have lots of folks out there cheering for you...Do us proud!
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