To view or be surprised?

[Green Tea]

First marathon. They offer bus tours the day before. A website I was reading recommended first timers not view the course; that the surprise of the scenery would make it more bearable and not overwhelm one the night before. Any input?

 

[getnthinr]

Hummmmmm... I've done it both ways. I like to see firsthand the courses I've heard were difficult, so I know when "the worst is over". I toured the Baltimore Marathon course the day before and absolutely freaked out -- not because of the hills (which are plentiful) but because I kept imagining myself alone (I'm a back-of-the-pack walker) in some iffy-looking neighborhoods. On race day, everything was perfect -- loads of police and course support and some really wonderful scenery. I had nothing to worry about.

The flip side of the Baltimore Marathon tour was that the race director who led the tour was also accompanied by a professional tour group leader, so he told us all about the history behind some of the areas we were running through. It provided an entirely new aspect to the course. Also, I tend to think even if you see the course beforehand in a car or bus, it's not like what you notice as you run/walk through, so I still had plenty to entertain me.

I suppose my bottom line is I can't give you a simple yes/no answer. I think, like most things in life, some good and bad comes out of touring the course beforehand. For my part, I'd say the good outweighs the bad, but your experience may prove different. I've certainly done many more marathons where I had no time to tour the course before the race, and I enjoyed them as well.

I'd encourage you to go with your gut feeling. If you like planning ahead, go. If you like surprises, don't go.

I am sure your first marathon experience will be memorable in any case.

 

[windwalker]

Hummmmmm... I've done it both ways. I like to see firsthand the courses I've heard were difficult, so I know when "the worst is over". I toured the Baltimore Marathon course the day before and absolutely freaked out -- not because of the hills (which are plentiful) but because I kept imagining myself alone (I'm a back-of-the-pack walker) in some iffy-looking neighborhoods. On race day, everything was perfect -- loads of police and course support and some really wonderful scenery. I had nothing to worry about.

Wendy you have Erica and I to race with you now so you won't be alone when we all go together. Erica and I both were street people once upon a time so we know our way around the hoods.

Dave

 

[ultramickeymouse]

I have never taken a tour of the many marathons(and ultras) I have done before so no first hand experience on the tours. That being said, I would rather be surprised. The fun of doing a new race is seeing all the things for the first time.

But as Wendy said go with your own gut feeling. Good luck on the race

 

[getnthinr]

Wendy you have Erica and I to race with you now so you won't be alone when we all go together. Erica and I both were street people once upon a time so we know our way around the hoods.

Dave

Whew! One less thing to worry about! Thanks, Dave!

 

[katerkat]

I've never done it, but prior to Bloomsday, I drove along about 1.5 miles of the course on a regular basis, and could see "The Hill" as I passed it. It still freaks me out to see it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I've been advised not to do that....

but I do get a personal joy out of what I can/will accomplish by checking the distance on wheels.

And since I'm a backstage Disney junkie--if they are offering a bus tour....and I was new....I'd be on it.

Some courses I have been advised by a coach....are better off not previewed.


For me personally, due to the nature of the marathon and half, I just don't think that one matters.

Everytime we visit (we come via osceola pkwy and pass right in from of WWS), I always invision the back half of the marathon. I do the same when we go to AK.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I have no real opinion either way. I like knowing things, but have never taken a tour and enjoyed the race event fully.

Now as mentioned, if it comes with a little local history and I had time, I might rather enjoy that.

 

[Green Tea]

Thanks for all the opinions. I think I actually would rather not know, that way mentally maybe I can say to myself the finish line has to be right around the next corner, just get to there..... But, I was figuring if they were offering the bus trip, then maybe I should take part. Thanks for all the view points.