Ideas for getting through those tough miles in the marathon

[TnTsParty]

Ok so here it is less than a week from Marathon weekend. Does any of the veterans have any tips, ideas, etc to help those of us first time marathoners get through the miles mentally? I am most likely going to be out there by myself the majority of the time - since I am not running with anyone and I have a very wierd pace (I run until I need to stop and then I walk and then I run but not at any particular interval) so I never seem to run with a partner because I feel I would hold them back.

So with that said are there little sayings you say to yourself to get you through those last few miles. My longest run was 20 miles and it wasn't too bad (I do remember cursing a few time when I was getting close to 20 miles LOL) Please let us newbies know what you do to help you get through those tough miles.

 

[MomofCKJ]

I'm a total newbie like you (meaning this is my first Half where it is your first Full). I'm doing the Half. One thing I have found in my training is that I have a few certain songs on my iPod that I only play when I really need that boost. I keep them till I really need it and to me they are particularly inspiring songs that help me push on.

Allyson

 

[ultramickeymouse]

I try to take the race mile by mile. By breaking it up into smaller(and sometimes) easier chunks it doesn't seem so bad as saying 15 more miles to go. I also look forward to getting to single digits in miles left.

 

[laughinplace199]

Great thread, Tricia. I'm a newbie too, so I don't have any advice. My PT (who has run several marathons) gave me the same advice that Robert just gave about breaking it up into smaller pieces so it doesn't seem so overwhelming. I have one last physical therapy appt tomorrow, so I will try to remember to ask if she has any other suggestions and I'll pass them on to you.

 

[Aisleleven]

I play a few different mind games while I am out there...

#1 - I play the "I can pass that person" game...I find someone 10-20 people ahead of me and try to pass them. After I pass that person, I set a new goal. Since I am a walker though, I may have to change my person if they suddenly take off on a run...

#2 - I will throw my invisible "lasso" around a person who is ahead of me and let them "pull me along"...

#3 - I try to make friends along the way and encourage as many people as I can...I tell them that if I can do a half marathon/marathon then they can...

#4 - I always try to remember at least one joke and have it ready.

#5 - I also try to break up the distance and try to picture where I would be if I were back at home doing a training run...I will tell myself "Only x# of miles to go...piece of cake, that is only to the _____ and back"

Last year, when I did the marathon, I hung with a bunch of guys for a solid 15 miles, we told jokes and laughed and the time really flew by...I set a PR for my 1/2 time...Sadly, we lost contact with each other around mile 18-19 because one of the guys was having foot problems but that is another story...

For some reason these really works for me. Playing these little mind games seems to keep me motivated and has me not focus on any pain I might be experiencing...

Hope they help!

 

[Mooshu]

I like to study the map of the marathon course, then as I'm running I try to remember where the mile marks fall and what exciting attraction is coming up on the run. It's always fun when there's a character when you least expect it.

Then when it get's really boring, I really like to watch people run and see their facial expressions. LOL I know I'm weird

 

[CarolA]

I have never done a Marathon, but... I did one race earlier this year that kicked my "you know what"

I found myself chanting the WISH mantra. You know Dead Last Finish, exceeds Did Not Finish which greatly exceed Did Not Start! It actually worked!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I break it up in 5ks or my miles at home where I'd be every 2.5-5 miles on my home route.

I do chat with random folks. Almost all are really helpful and eager to chat. That passes time until the next person comes along since many are slow for only a moment and then it's time for them to move along.

 

[chimera]

Wendy (getnthinr) has a little chant that she shared last year for the full. Once you get through MGM, there's "Sidewalk, Boardwalk, EPCOT, you're done".

 

[TnTsParty]

Thanks everyone - I posted this not only for myself but for all of us so please keep the great ideas coming. Mel I love Wendy's little chant - I am going to have to remember that one. And Mooshu I like the idea about studying the map so you know where you are - I did that on my long runs since I used the TM for the really long distances.

Keep the good ideas coming!! Its getting closer!!

 

[solotraveler]

For your first race, I think the best way to get through the miles is to have FUN with it!!!

Ok, I know it's silly... but talk to the people running around you, cheer on the entertainment, thank the volunteers with a big smile.

The other thing that helps is to know the course... If you are at mile 7, then it's only 2 miles to the TTC. At mile 18, well... you realize how big the Animal Kingdom parking lot is and realize you'll hit the 20 mile mark really soon!!

You'll have the time of your life... promise!
Kevin

 

[10nis]

Wow, this is a great thread! I use most of the techniques everyone has mentioned....breaking it down into small segments (one of my favorites is "only a 10K to go" at mile 20), knowing the route so that I can anticipate and look forward to what is to come, making friends and talking to people along the route is the best - you know right away if fellow participants feel like chatting! I try to save the ipod special songs for boosters, but for me - there comes a point and time when the music no longer works as a mental distractor.
One bonus . . . Disney packs in a lot of fun those last 4 miles -- through HS, along the sidewalk from HS -- past a bit of the Boardwalk Resort, over the bridge to the Swan & Dolphin, in front of the Yacht & Beach club (lots of spectator cheering through these sections) -- through the international gateway into EPCOT and then you have the excitement of going around the countries in EPCOT. It is awesome! Have fun.....

 

[getnthinr]

I'm so flattered you remembered "sidewalk, Boardwalk, EPCOT, you're done!" -- previously that was always the tough stretch for me and my good friend Charles Wait (an awesome marathoner and former TNT leader) taught me that chant -- now I look forward to that section and feeling like I'm nearly done. Like Robert, I am also always encouraged at the 17 mile marker when I tell myself "I'm in the single digits now!!!" (9 miles or less to go from that point on) -- somehow single digits make me feel the worst is behind me.

Again, great thread!

 

[Honeibee]

Spend time checking out the guys in front of you wearing compression shorts! It'll take your mind off whatevers hurtin' you!

 

[DianeL]

Spend time checking out the guys in front of you wearing compression shorts! It'll take your mind off whatevers hurtin' you!

Wow! Coming out of your shell are you? Gone are the days of sweet innocent Judy

By the way I too am always on the look out for the RED shorts ever since Dave thoughtfully shared that photo We did have a guy on a bike at our park once wearing them, sadly, he was ON the bike so nothing to report.

 

[Cindylou]

I like Judy's answer. Did I mention that I ran with her DH for a ways during the Minnie?

When there's a really tough point in the race I count from 0 up to 30 and back down again which helps me realize I'm one minute closer to being done. It seems really boring, but it keeps my mind from any negative thinking.

During my first marathon I kept repeating to myself just don't quit and you'll never have to do this ever again. Yeah, that was 4 marathons ago.

Lots of luck to you all.

Cindy

 

[Honeibee]

Diane - Its the quiet ones you have to watch out for.

Cindy - Yeah, well, my husband is wearing compression shorts this weekend.

I've been playing one of my favorite songs over and over in the car on the way to work, where I can sing along very loudly and probably quite awfully and not hurt anyones ears. But this song gets me thru the tough times on the course. I have to replay it in my head because I just can not run with headphones. It's Rodney Atkin's song "If You're Going Thru Hell..." The lyrics in part go like this....


If your going through hell
Keep on going, don't slow down
If you're scared don't show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you're there

Yeah, If you're going through hell
Keep on moving, face that fire
Walk right through it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you're there


That's how I feel about mile 10..but I know if I keep on going, don't slow down...

And now, for the eye candy part....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91OQwco7a58

 

[MomofCKJ]

What a great song! I am not a fan of country but that one might need to be added to my iPod for running!

Allyson

 

[Cruella de mom]

I remember the first time I ran the Disney Marathon. I was sick and by the time I got to the Boardwalk area I was crying. Then I saw the Red English phone booths and I realized that I was entering Epcot! I literally started sobbing "we're in epcot! we're in epcot" It was a beautiful moment because I realized I was going to finish. (The moment was spoiled only a few steps later when I saw just how far it was around the world to the finish line.)

Dh brought me back a cast iron bank that is a replica Red English Phone booth. It sits by my bed and reminds me that I can do this.

Two Things to notice as you get more and more tired:

Encouragement: Never underestimate the power of someone cheering for you. The spectator cheers are going to push you more than you think.

Companionship:I don't know how we get through it except that there are all these other people around you that are just trying to finish too. You push on but its with a comeradery(sp?) that you don't have in training. Even if you don't speak to any of your fellow athletes, you sense them and you gain from their determination as well. Its an amazing experience.

 

[JimB.]

One thing that works for me is that, because I run intervals (run a set # of minutes & then walk 1), I never look at the race as a "whole", but rather a bunch of little runs all strung together.

If I'm not feeling well, it's not "Geeez, I've got 10 miles to go. Aaaaagh!.", it's more like "In 4 minutes I get to rest for a minute. Sweet!"

It's surprising how quickly the time & miles goes by for me doing this.