I’ve been quietly training all summer because I didn’t want to let myself down. But things have gone well, and there are only five weeks left until I run my first Marathon!
I am SO excited. I’ll be running with Rob’s sister Molly, and my neighbor who trained with me last summer is going to be running the Half Marathon. We’ve overcome injuries, lack of sleep, Molly’s gone off to college, and we’re so ready to finally beat the 26.2 miles that have spent the year haunting us.
Wish us luck!
Congrats! I ran the Columbus Marathon in 1999 – I can’t believe it’s been that long. It becomes an obsession, doesn’t it? Two things that helped me — find out what sports drink they’ll be serving on the course and then train with that, or bring your own powdered mix in a baggie. I got sick at mile 13 and lost some time because I wasn’t used to the PowerAid.
Also – bring a couple little packets of salt from McDonalds or something – add to your drink around mile 20 and you’ll feel better.
I had trouble peeing after the race – getting in a hot shower helped. It’s normal to see some blood for a couple days – your bladder can get sort of bruised from all the jostling.
Other than that, it’s mostly a mental endurance thing – a matter of staying on your feet. Have fun!
I’ve been doing most of those things you recommended. The marathon provides this energy and electrolyte stuff called GU which is normally nothing I would touch, but since this is a huge distance I have been training with it. It tastes like gummy cake frosting. Not very yummy, but it’s made in the USA so I’m not too worried about it having lead particles or bleach in it or something.
I ran 19.5 miles today in my last hardcore training run and it hurt to stop. It hurt to run, too, but I wasn’t prepared for how weird it would feel to actually stop running. Too much lactic acid in my legs!
What was you finish time? I’m not expecting to do any better than 4:30. Though really I’ll just be glad if I can finish without walking.
I finished in 5:07 – was shooting for 4:30 but spent a while in the port a potty at mile 13 and had to walk for a bit.
I was following the Jeff Galloway plan of run for 10 minutes and walk for 1 minute all the way thru. I had my watch set to beep the intervals.
I’d been a runner since junior high, but that marathon completely burned me out. The next year I did a 62 mile trail relay which was a blast – (google Dances With Dirt) and I did a couple of sprint tris, but now my running days are behind me. Ever so often I get the urge, but ………..
Have you lost any weight while training? I was hoping to lose that final 10 but I ended up gaining 3 lbs – LOL!
Oh man. I have lost all of the weight I gained since my junior year of highschool when I played soccer. It helps that I am still nursing Elise at least 4 times a day.
Dances With Dirt looks like a blast! That might be the next aim… Or maybe not. I was considering training for speed next year instead of distance and trying to get down to a really competitive half, or even a 10k. I used to be a sprinter in middle school, and I’m pretty sure that my strength really lies in speed.
We need to sit down with a cup of coffee sometime. I think we’d have plenty to say ;). Plus, my girls really like cows.
I’d love to meet you Devona. You really should sign onto the ncrloop –do you know about that? There is a field trip in Akron in mid-Sept — about homing pigeons, and then lunch and Matins at Grace — this is organized by Pr Mill’s wife. These field trips are really all about the moms you know.
Dances with Dirt was one of the most fun, truly adventurous things I”ve ever done. There were several times I honestly worried about my safety, such as when I was up to my chin in a muddy swamp, just pulling myself along by a strand of barbed wire.