pixarmom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2009
- Messages
- 6,932
Advice is really hard to give, because it's all so individual and changes over time. (I'm an entirely different runner at post-40 than I was at 25!) I think all we can do is take the advice on this thread and try it out as much as possible before marathon weekend. I know that trial-and-error with this advice has really helped me, and I've very appreciative. (Most recently . . . who noted the importance of breakfast the day before the run? Worked for me - thank you!!!) A few examples of what I've learned through trial-and-error:
Time on Feet for Dopey. I will run the 5K slower than usual because I'm running with my 9-year-old son. I will run the half far slower than usual because I'm running with my 17-year-old son. Probably fine for the 5K, but not optimal-for-a-race-plan situation for the half because it will probably add 45 minutes to my time. I'm not worried about the impact of that extra time on-course, but that's because I've run with him and at his pace as practice over time and I know what I can do the next day. (And if I'm wrong, it's still worth it to run with him!)
Course. I've read that some run faster in Florida because it's flat. But it can also be humid. For many, flat might be better and faster. For me, it's actually easier to run hills without humidity than a flat course with humidity. I don't stop for characters, but my Disney times are always slower than local half marathons and training runs because humidity of any kind or sort is terrible for me. I learned that at my first PHM.
Naps. I know many nap in the afternoon between races. I can't nap because a) I can't fall asleep during the day unless I'm sick; and b) if I nap, I can't sleep at night. It's better for me to have a moderate activity level after each race and then sleep really well. I just ran 20 miles yesterday and then was running around like a crazy person with kid activities. I feel great today. But I know a ton of people who really benefit from that nap and function far better with it.
Fuel. I'm an assistant cross country coach and we always tell the kids no dairy before a run. For me, chocolate milk before, during and after a run works really well. I tried that out gradually - first after, then added "before" and then tried "during" for my 20-miler last month. Probably terrible for the rest of the world, but works for me.
Not a ton of time for trial and error, but I learn something during almost every long run, so there is still a chance!
Time on Feet for Dopey. I will run the 5K slower than usual because I'm running with my 9-year-old son. I will run the half far slower than usual because I'm running with my 17-year-old son. Probably fine for the 5K, but not optimal-for-a-race-plan situation for the half because it will probably add 45 minutes to my time. I'm not worried about the impact of that extra time on-course, but that's because I've run with him and at his pace as practice over time and I know what I can do the next day. (And if I'm wrong, it's still worth it to run with him!)
Course. I've read that some run faster in Florida because it's flat. But it can also be humid. For many, flat might be better and faster. For me, it's actually easier to run hills without humidity than a flat course with humidity. I don't stop for characters, but my Disney times are always slower than local half marathons and training runs because humidity of any kind or sort is terrible for me. I learned that at my first PHM.
Naps. I know many nap in the afternoon between races. I can't nap because a) I can't fall asleep during the day unless I'm sick; and b) if I nap, I can't sleep at night. It's better for me to have a moderate activity level after each race and then sleep really well. I just ran 20 miles yesterday and then was running around like a crazy person with kid activities. I feel great today. But I know a ton of people who really benefit from that nap and function far better with it.
Fuel. I'm an assistant cross country coach and we always tell the kids no dairy before a run. For me, chocolate milk before, during and after a run works really well. I tried that out gradually - first after, then added "before" and then tried "during" for my 20-miler last month. Probably terrible for the rest of the world, but works for me.
Not a ton of time for trial and error, but I learn something during almost every long run, so there is still a chance!
