Marathon Week - What we have learned - Please share

[WDWFAN9]

one little tidbit - when you grab a packet of salt from the food court - make sure it is salt. On the course I ripped open the packet, steeled myself for the saltiness and pretty much gagged when it turnout to be sugar not salt!!

 

[Hey Mickey]

one little tidbit - when you grab a packet of salt from the food court - make sure it is salt. On the course I ripped open the packet, steeled myself for the saltiness and pretty much gagged when it turnout to be sugar not salt!!

My tongue curled just thinking about that . . . but it did remind me of another helpful hint, based on something I have witnessed in prior races: Don't eat the biofreeze!

 

[Scott H]

Self deprecating mode turned on: remember to tie the waist string on your running shorts, mine felt funny for the first mile with the added fuel etc., and I got tired of pulling them up every hundred yards.

 

[Scott H]

My tongue curled just thinking about that . . . but it did remind me of another helpful hint, based on something I have witnessed in prior races: Don't eat the biofreeze!

But it clears up my sinus's.

 

[wdw4us]

To add to the great tips already posted:

Bring toilet paper for pre-race portapotties--they often run out.

YES THEY DO. I am the voice of experience on that one! Who was taking so long in the potty -- that would be me waiting for TP thank you very much!

I too will bring TP - just in case

denise

 

[Scott H]

YES THEY DO. I am the voice of experience on that one! Who was taking so long in the potty -- that would be me waiting for TP thank you very much!

I too will bring TP - just in case

denise

Oh good one and I will also add, put it in a ziplock baggie keeps it dry.

 

[jims2cool]

1. Disney waters down the Powerade... should be 1 bag per 5 gal. of water. They had us use 1 bag per 10 gal. of water.
2. The MOST important thing I learned........ There is no replacement for the encouragement you will recieve from WISHERS !!!!! Not sure if I had a better time on Saturday doing the half , and being cheered at by WISHERS, or working the water stop on Sunday and cheering for "my" WISHERS, and then going to AK to cheer for all of "my" WISHERS who passed !!!

 

[armygirl2001]

A lot of good points already. My big lessons learned were:

1. Don't expect to run as fast in warm humid weather as you do in cold dry weather. I was kind of dissapointed with my time until I realized everyone had the same problem with the weather. All my long runs were done in mid-30's to low-40's.

2. Put crocs/flip flops in your checked bag. My shoes and socks were soaked with sweat and I couldn't take them off until I got back to my room.

3. Don't throw away the sponge. I was really wanting that around mile 20 when the sun came out. Ended up just dumping cups of water on me but it would have been nice to have something to wipe my face with.

4. Nauseus, sloshy stomach=need more electrolytes (for me at least) This hit me around mile 22. Fortunately I remembered my TNT coach saying something about salt helping. Unfortunately I was too dense to remember to take salt with me. Ended up drinking only PowerAde at next 2 or 3 stations and felt much better.

5. Biofreeze ROCKS! With all the sweating I was doing I was terrified to use the biofreeze and then accidentally wipe my eyes. I finally gave in around mile 18-19 and am so glad I did. Stopped for it again the next time it was offered too. Somehow managed to remember not to put my fingers near my eyes afterwards. I totally credit it with letting me maintain my run/shuffle to the finish. Just wish I had used it sooner.

I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting but those were the biggies for me. I did take the TNT coaches advice and got all my stuff together the night before which made it much easier to sneak out of the room at 2:30am without forgetting anything. I also got a tip from another runner at the hotel to take something soft to sit on during the long wait. Since it was so warm I just sat on my sweatshirt.

 

[mkymsehi]

Instead of salt, take a few mustard packs (like Frenches). Straight table salt isn't the best electrolites replacement. Mustard has salt, vinegar, and most importantly Magnesium.

This is a old soccer coaches tip for cramping. It takes a couple times to get used to. I chase it with water or Gatorade (or Poweraid). I like to shoot two packets when I feel a cramp coming on.

I live in hot and humid Honolulu, and I've been using this method for years. And it really works! Do a Google search on muscle cramping and mustard. There are several posts about it.

Another choice is a small package of pretzels. It has salt and carbs.

If fluids are sloshing around in your stomach, you drank too much. Mile 18 in a marathon is the last time you should drink the whole cup. The body can no longer absorb fluids. So from 18 on, just sip a little to wet your whistle, and don't drink the rest. I saw several people puking up the excess fluids from Animal Kingdom on.

Bodyglide and Vaseline, you just can't have enough of it.

One last note: I had to laugh to myself seeing all the waistpacks, bags, armbands, hats, etc. all thrown on the side of the road. I bet all those people bought their new belts at the expo, without having ever trained with it. So from a mile or two from the start, there was a trail of new goods thrown out because they found it too uncomfortable. Always train with the stuff your going to race in. NEVER show up to the starting line with something brand new. Shirts, hats, clothes, shoes, underwear, etc. have to be broken in.

 

[JimB.]

Another one (ok 2)................

I always carry a washcloth with me. I use it to wipe down my face during the race. I like it better than the sponges, And can "wash" it out at a water stop if it gets too uhhhh, "fertile"

If you use an mp3 player, check out the "AirDrive" earpieces. They allow oyu to hear background noise (cars, people, etc.) very clearly while still rockin' out to your marathon tunes. They ARE pricey, but are very nice. On BestBuy.

Mustard has salt, vinegar, and most importantly Magnesium.

If this works for you, GREAT!! But personally, ( I don't like mustard. Period). I use endurolyte tablets instead.

 

[miranda1979]

YES THEY DO. I am the voice of experience on that one! Who was taking so long in the potty -- that would be me waiting for TP thank you very much!

I too will bring TP - just in case

denise

hahaha i remember this.