How do you break down the marathon?

[Suzy Mouse]

Just curious to know how you do it? Do you do it mile per mile? 5k 10k etc.? Parks? What's the best way to do it?

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

When I ran my 20 miler I split it into 4 quarter 5 mile segments so I think I will do something similar for the full, depends how I feel on race day but might do 6 mile segments with a little bit on the end, by the end I tend to just count down the miles but that only works after mile 16!

I am interested in seeing how everybody else compartmentalizes it!

Kirsty

 

[skfulkers]

Break it down? What is this that you speak of? Can it be a shorter race if it's broken down? If so, sign me up!

Ok, in all seriousness, i'm sure you'll get all sorts of responses, but here is my take on how I usually mentally break down the marathon distance:

The first ten miles flies by. I don't try to break it into any chunks at all. With all the excitement of the start, the crowds, getting used to the pacing, aid stations, temperature, seeing all the entertainment on the course. Seriously, I've always been very surprised at the sight of the 10-mile marker since it comes up so soon.

The first real gut-check for me is always mile 13.1. At that point, I do an "inventory" of how I feel. I can usually tell if the rest of the race is going to be good or a march into the seventh circle of hell. Either way, I usually start the "chunk" breakdown at the half. For me, it depends on the race location. I tend to break things down by physical objects or places. So for Disney, after the half point, my next point is the back entrance to Animal Kingdom. From there, my points are usually:

The exit to Animal Kingdom (the parking lot)
The begniing of the Out-and-Back
The end of the Out-and-Back
MGM
Boardwalk
Beach Club and the WISH team!
Then, usually....every country in Epcot......Mousegear in Epcot....SpaceShip Earth.....the choir......

As you can see, my chunks get shorter near the end. But honestly, that's usually how I break it up. Mentally, especially if you're hurting at the end, the smaller the short-term goals, the easier it is for me to get through them.

I'll be interested to see how others break it up as well.

Steve

 

[cewait]

Disney is a little different than most marathons I run. Generally, I like to run 5k's and try to keep the splits even. Disney does not have 5 k markers but they have many other splits.

It's easy at Disney
1) Run to Epcot (2 or 2.2 miles depending on the start)
2)Exit Epcot Mile 4
3) Run to MIle 6 jug handle turn onto World
4) Run to Hess Station - Mile 7.8
5) Runto the right hand turn in parking lot - Mile 8.5
6) Run to TTC - Mile 9
7) Run to Space Mountain U Turn - Mile 10
8) Run to Main Street - Mile 10.3
9) Castle - 10.6
10) Captain Jack or Steam Train Engine - 10.9
12) Right turn into the valley of Doom - Mile 13
14) POTW - Sewage Plant -Mile 15
15) Entrance to AK Mile 15.5
16) Entrance into the AK Park Proper - Mile 16.6
16) Exit AK - Mile 17.4
17) All Stars Overpass - Mile 19
18) World Drive x-over - Mile 20
19) DHS Entrance - Mile 23
20) Yacht Club - Mile 24.6
21) England - Mile 25
22) Gold Robed Chior - Mile 26.1

 

[RunningGirl]

I've visualized all these points as I've done my training run:

1. Merge
2. World Drive
3. TTC
4. Cinderella's Castle
5. Grand Floridian
6. Poly
7. Entering AK
8. Exiting AK
9. Turn around
10. DHS
11. Y&B Club
12. Gospel Choir
13. Finish!

It's not chunked evenly, but it works for me.

 

[Castaway Cay Goddess]

I break it down by park. Run to the first park and enjoy the run through the park, then walk break and nutrition after each park. By mile 20, I tell myself, just do what you have to to finish. Jog, run/walk, walk. Because in the end I want to feel good crossing the finish line.

 

[FFigawi]

I try to break my marathons down into four chunks:

The first half - this tends to fly by and all I focus on here is maintaining an even an steady pace. If I'm feeling good, I pick it up for the next segment. If not, I keep going right like I have been.

Next 10k - this gets me to almost mile 20. I try to keep my pace steady for this 10k based on how I felt after the first half of the race.

Next 10k - I visualize this as an interval repeat of the one I just ran. Keep it steady if possible.

Last mile - at this point, it's only a mile and I'll be damned if anything is going to keep me from finishing at this point.

For Disney, in addition to what I normally do, I think I'm going to try the "run to the parks" routine mentioned above as well as include lots of stops for pictures along the way:

Run around Epcot
Boring run to MK
Run through MK
Boring run to AK
Run through AK
Boring run to DHS
Run around the lake
Run around Epcot
Finish

 

[Snowwhitebelle]

Disney is a little different than most marathons I run. Generally, I like to run 5k's and try to keep the splits even. Disney does not have 5 k markers but they have many other splits.

It's easy at Disney
1) Run to Epcot (2 or 2.2 miles depending on the start)
2)Exit Epcot Mile 4
3) Run to MIle 6 jug handle turn onto World
4) Run to Hess Station - Mile 7.8
5) Runto the right hand turn in parking lot - Mile 8.5
6) Run to TTC - Mile 9
7) Run to Space Mountain U Turn - Mile 10
8) Run to Main Street - Mile 10.3
9) Castle - 10.6
10) Captain Jack or Steam Train Engine - 10.9
12) Right turn into the valley of Doom - Mile 13
14) POTW - Sewage Plant -Mile 15
15) Entrance to AK Mile 15.5
16) Entrance into the AK Park Proper - Mile 16.6
16) Exit AK - Mile 17.4
17) All Stars Overpass - Mile 19
18) World Drive x-over - Mile 20
19) DHS Entrance - Mile 23
20) Yacht Club - Mile 24.6
21) England - Mile 25
22) Gold Robed Chior - Mile 26.1

Thanks Charles, that helped a newbie like me ALOT

 

[Suzy Mouse]

These look great! Thanks!

 

[chimera]

Agree with Steve, it's not really ugly until you leave MK. From there, getting to each park is the next goal. Once I got to the Studios, I was pretty sure I'd finish .
Wendy has a little chant for after MGM that helped me a lot! After you get through MGM, it's "Sidewalk, Boardwalk, EPCOT, you're done!" Kept me going until the finish!

 

[RENThead09]

The starting area is Disney music on my ipod.

From there to the big ramp thing at mile 6 will be American Idol Greatest Hits.

From there through the Magic Kingdom is all things disney.

Leaving the Magic Kingdom to the Animal Kingdom is an ecclectic mix of my favorite music. Mika, Avenue Q, Beyonce, Andy Kim, Tim McGraw, Green Day, JT, Christina Agularia, and so on...

Animal Kingdom is the Lion King (of course) and from there to the end is Glee!

The last mile will be La Vie Boheme, Seasons of Love, and Finale B from RENT.

For me:
Starting line
Amercian Idol
Disney
Rock and Roll
Glee

4 simple sections to get through. Have used each for my past runs. Let's get this thing started! WOOO HOOOO!!!!!!

 

[smileyk8]

I've split my long runs into 5 miles sections and only think of the end goal for each of these sections at a time. So.... 4 sections takes me to 20miles, then just 2 5k runs. No matter how tired you are i bet you can always run/walk a 5k right?

I haven't looked into this too much yet but I'm thinking the first section will finish just outside EPCOT, the second (10miles) will be around the entrance of MK, the third (15 ish miles) is the entrance to AK then the final section takes me to the turnaround (20miles). The first 5k will finish in DHS, then the last 5k is the shiny happy finish line..... hopefully

 

[Duanerice]

The first ten miles flies by. I don't try to break it into any chunks at all. With all the excitement of the start, the crowds, getting used to the pacing, aid stations, temperature, seeing all the entertainment on the course. Seriously, I've always been very surprised at the sight of the 10-mile marker since it comes up so soon.

The first real gut-check for me is always mile 13.1. At that point, I do an "inventory" of how I feel. I can usually tell if the rest of the race is going to be good or a march into the seventh circle of hell. Either way, I usually start the "chunk" breakdown at the half. For me, it depends on the race location. I tend to break things down by physical objects or places. So for Disney, after the half point, my next point is the back entrance to Animal Kingdom. From there, my points are usually:

The exit to Animal Kingdom (the parking lot)
The beginning of the Out-and-Back
The end of the Out-and-Back
MGM
Boardwalk
Beach Club and the WISH team!
Then, usually....every country in Epcot......Mousegear in Epcot....SpaceShip Earth.....the choir......

As you can see, my chunks get shorter near the end. But honestly, that's usually how I break it up. Mentally, especially if you're hurting at the end, the smaller the short-term goals, the easier it is for me to get through them.

I'll be interested to see how others break it up as well.

Steve

I pretty much agree with Steve, other than being surprised that the 10 mile marker comes up so soon . I don't pay a whole lot of attention until I leave Magic Kingdom and start sown that long lonely road. My check points get closer and closer as I get near the end.

For me the 2 biggest check points are:
1) leaving AK going to the out and back. That is a biggie. This year I WILL enjoy it. For me that is the toughest part of the race. You are 18 miles into the race, there are very few spectators, minimal shade if any and there is nothing to shield you from the weather, either rain or shine.

2) the other big checkpoint is that hill after the out and back. For me that signals we are on our way home. You are around people and in Disney from there on in.

I may be weird but I really look forward to the out and back. It comes after a very long and lonely run from AK, with minimal spectators. I get to see so many people, spectators as well as runners.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[jmasgat]

Well, first I plan to cry, then I plan to scream and shake my fist at the sky.....Wait....you did say "Break down AT the marathon, didn't you?".....OOps, my bad.

Maura

 

[wellesleyprincess]

I plan on following the advice given me by a coaching friend:

Run the first 10 miles with your head, the next 10 miles with your heart, and the last 10k with your guts.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Maura, .

I'm with Steve on this one too. I don't much worry about that first 13.1. As I get through that part is when I start my mind on the shorter goals. It is the mind games that get me through after the first half. As the march from AK starts to weigh me down I will use some visual home markers to ease my struggle. I know I can do my 10k route, my 5k and by then I'm putting one foot in front of the other pushing to make it around the world, looking for the Choir. Oh the Choir is the sweetest part! I know I've made my way. It is the moment of joyful tears and time to compose my blubbering self so I can have a smiling picture crossing the finish line, then blubbering time once again until I can embrace my DH for the I Did It! hug.