What did you learn - Tips for the Newbies (and Oldbies)

[Duanerice]

Hi All,
we have a lot of miles under our belt from training for these races. Since I officially started training in September I have run 468 miles. That doesn't count cross training or biking.

So, what did I learn that I can share with others. Couple of items come to mind:

1. Drink, drink, drink. There were a few days that I didn't have enough water for my long runs (I got too far from the car). Not good. Even when it is a little colder, I need to make sure I drink enough.
2. I learned a "better way" to take more nutrition. Someone mentioned taking half a GU instead of the whole GU. Started taking half a GU starting at mile 4 then keep taking a half about every 2 miles. Works great. I don't get that rush of energy I used to when I took a whole GU. This way I even out the energy spike. I also use sports beans in there at times.
3. Bodyglide everything! I use a lot of Bodyglide. Nipples, groin, arms, and especially my feet. Don't be stingy.

I'm sure as soon as I post this I will think of many more. But, what are your lessons learned that you can pass on.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[windwalker]

Something we learned this last trip; Erica decided to carry a back pack for our park hopping to carry water, rain ponchos, snacks, ect... well we got one with lots of zippered pockets to keep everything organized. It was a royal pain at the security checks to open all those pockets for check. If you get a pack go for as few pockets as possible to get through the checks faster.

Party Panda

 

[Aisleleven]

Best advice I can offer...

DON'T TRY ANYTHING NEW ON RACE DAY!!!

 

[TnTsParty]

What have I learned - well I don't know if I am the best to give advice but I am going to post what I learned anyway. I started my marathon training in July. I wanted to get a 1/2 marathon in before the full so I started with a training group. It cost me about $100 for 4 1/2 months worth of early Saturday's. I felt obligated to get up every Saturday morning because I had put out money for this. I really didn't get coaching from the "coaches" but it was more of gaining knowledge from other runners. I have to say I met a great group of people (I ran with 2 of them the first 6 miles of the 1/2 and they really pulled me through)

So maybe that was the first thing I learned....the motivation from other people helps get you through.

After my 1/2 I went on vacation and didn't get in the kind of running I would like to get done. Then it was Thanksgiving (also my bday) and then after that it was time to get all the Christmas decorations up (lights outside, 3 trees inside, other inside decorations) not to mention baking cookies (I give cookies as gifts) and making candy (nothing too elaborate - just melting chocolate into candy molds) and here we are with 3 days left before I have t have everything done and its supposed to me the weekend I did my 20 miler. Yeah right that wasn't fitting into my plans. I will get it in next weekends and hopefully will feel more confident about meeting that time goal in my head.

So the second thing I learned is that the holidays really don't fit into a training schedule and I was bad about procrastinating to get my gifts bought and cookies and candies made (really couldn't start decorating too early!!) So for me a full marathon as close to Christmas as the Disney one isn't really a good fit for me (actually not sure if a full marathon is a good fit for me - I just want that Mickey medal!!)

Another thing I learned is that you can actually get burnt out with the training - I wanted to get the base miles in since I have only been running/walking for the last year and half. But by starting my training in July and it felt like I was "stuck" having no Friday night and getting up way too early EVERY Saturday morning. But the motivation was there from everyone I ran with and I am really finding it hard to run by myself on those long runs (good thing I know at Disney they will be PLENTY of other people around and I won't feel like the only one out there)

I still haven't learned anything about what to eat and what not to eat (except I realize I need a little coffee before I run) I also never experimented with gu or gels. I did learn which type of hydration I prefer - Gatorade made - half strength - preferrably the fruit punch, but after a little while I do NEED some water. Don't know exactly when it is I need it but I know I will need straight water sooner or later.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I've learned that there is a time to be serious--training time and then there is the event where I try to pay as much attention to everything around me and enjoy the moment.

Also to pay attention to hydration. Trying to make sure I take enough, but to be wary of taking too much. Walking that fine line is important.

 

[Honeibee]

Don't underestimate the importance of SLEEP in these next few weeks.

Be careful stepping off curbs, walking on ice and snow. You don't need an injury now.

If this is your first time, or maybe not even, and you are a nervous wreck, realize it's comepletely normal to feel that way now. Don't panic, just embrace the nervousness and accept it as part of the process, and remember it will help propel you along the course.

Also, although it feels like training is a heck of a lot of hard work...the hardest part if behind you and now the fun begins! Race day will be a blast!

 

[chimera]

NEVER...EVER...underestimate the importance of the short runs. It's soooo easy during marathon training to put too much emphasis on the long runs, but the weekly short runs are JUST as important. You've got to have a good base to build your long runs on.

 

[Caseydilla]

I learned that even if you don't feel like you need to go to the bathroom, just go one last time right before the race. I had to stop and go in Frontierland during the Disney Half Marathon.

I also second the don't try anything new on race day comment. Everytime, I've tried something new on race day, it usually doesn't go as well as planned. (new belt, fanny pack, new type of gels, etc.) Try all that stuff out before hand on a training run.

 

[momof2minnies]

Alot of great advice, this newbie appreciates it!!!!!!!!! It helps with the nerves alot.

Linda

 

[Cruella de mom]

Eat. Eat very soon after every run. Even if you aren't hungry, at least try to eat a banana or a small cereal bar.

There are certain distances that cause me to lose my appetite. Pretty much any run from 8 - 15 miles takes away my desire to eat. If I don't eat, I don't recover as fast. Strange thing is, a 3 mile run makes me as hungry as a 20 mile run?!

Relax. At this point there is no chance of getting extra training in. Your training should be done by this Sunday. Any long runs after that have more potential to hurt than to help.

Pack anything you might need. No sense lying awake all night prior to the marathon wishing you had packed shirt A instead of shrit B. Pack them both.

Take a nap. You won't sleep much the night of the marathon. You will be worried about waking up or not waking up. Take a nap in the early afternoon when you are comfortable that someone will wake you up for dinner. It won't make going to sleep easier, but you aren't going to sleep that night anyway.

 

[thndrmatt]

This is the same thing I'll say on the side of the road for the half, and to everyone I run with for the full.


"You have EARNED this. ENJOY it."

 

[chimera]

Eat. Eat very soon after every run. Even if you aren't hungry, at least try to eat a banana or a small cereal bar.

Most definitely!!!!!


A big, ugly thunderstorm rolled in at the end of this year's full marathon. We rushed to gather up our things and get back to the resort and I didn't get to eat anything after the race like I normally do. We got to TTC, but it was pouring by then, so we waited around until it cleared a bit to walk over to the Poly. It was probably only an hour or so after the race finished, and I felt absolutely fine. Got back to the room and my family all went out to get some lunch while I showered. Out of nowhere, I very nearly passed out in the shower. I managed to sit down in the tub when my vision went black, but couldn't get out of the tub or get to the water to turn it off. My cell phone was in the room so I had no way to call anyone. I just sat until it passed enough that I could get out. It was truly scary. If I had passed out face down or hit my head...well, we might not be having this conversation.

I am aware that I have some occasional low blood sugar issues, particularly after a long run. I try to be more conscientious now, but there are Saturdays when I get home and get busy doing other things and forget to eat. I am reminded when I bend over or turn a corner and my head starts to spin.

Morals of the story:
1. As Cecilia said, always eat after a long run.
2. NEVER shower alone

 

[gatorphipps]

Things I have learned......
There are so many. Running a marathon is almost a spiritual thing. Well, only God can pull me through one.

1. Respect the distance.
2. Plan the race, race the plan....
3. Trust your training.
4. Drink, drink drink...not just in the race. Weeks and days b/4 the race.
5. Eat well....your body needs it. Learned this on my 7th marathon.
6. If you set goals, have 3...to finish, a doable goal, a challenging goal.
7. Remember that this too shall pass.
8. DO NOT start out too fast.
9. Do not think about the whole race...run in the moment.
10. MOST important! HAVE FUN! you do this for fun. Noone needs more stress in their life.

I take Hammer Gels. I take a 4th of it every other mile from mile 4. I drink H2O from the race and carry G2 with me and sip on it the miles I do not take the gel/H2O.

 

[bubba73]

I think one of the most important things that I have learned is to make sure that I have a really good pair of running shoes. Not all shoes are created equally. I changed shoes a couple of months ago and it has made a world of difference for me. (Although I know all of you already know that.)

Bryan

 

[getnthinr]

Don't worry about things you can't control (like the weather). At this point, don't even worry about the things you can control. Worry won't make you any more likely to finish.

Lay out all your race clothes/socks/shoes/fanny pack the night before. Put your bib on your shirt and your chip on your shoe.

Use a list to help you gather all your things on race morning (hat/visor, sunglasses, iPod, room key, camera, whatever). It will be very early, you won't have slept all that well, and it's too easy to forget something in your nervous excitment.

Carry some cash (one small denomination bill). Post-race, I love being able to grab a drink on the way back to the room, rather than having to wait until after my shower. Sometimes I even grab a plate of pasta on my way back through the food court.

And, as my other WISHers have said -- Have fun! You're at Disney World! Lots of volunteers, your fellow runners/walkers, and all those spectators want to see you succeed -- Everyone is pulling for you! How often does that happen in a lifetime??? Enjoy that!

 

[Lexxiefern]

I think everyone has covered all my advice, but I'll say them again.

-drink lots of water before the race! I try to guzzle water the day before any race. It has really helped me to feel better during and after the race.

- Body glide is your friend. Use it everywhere!

- Ice baths. I get in one after anything over 10 miles. They may be painful for a little bit, but you feel so much better later. It is worth it.

- Eat after. I usually do this as I sit in my ice bath. I have found that a slimfast shake and a banana work best for recovery. I try to avoid the sugary stuff until later - if I eat it in place of the shake, I end up feeling really nauseous.

- Try to stick with your pace in the beginning. It is so easy to get pumped and go out too fast. But then you may run out of steam and pay for it later.

- I like to carry water with me during a race so I always have it in case I need it.

- Be proud of yourself for finishing even if you don't meet any pre race goals you put on yourself. It is an awesome accomplishment!

- Like Wendy, I too make a list of stuff to do/bring with me before a race. I tape it to the door of the hotel room and check it off before I leave the room.

I am sure there are more, but these are the ones I thought of.

Becky

 

[ironz]

Be courteous out there.

If you're walking, don't weasel up and start in a 'faster' corral....or if you do, DO NOT walk more than 2 abreast. There are places (the on/off ramps, for example) where the course narrows early into the race. People behind walkers, even if they are doing modest 10-11 min/mile, shouldn't have to be held up by a group walking 4 abreast, literally blocking the way for the thousands of people behind them.

This pretty much made me swear off the WDW marathon until I can get in one of the top corrals.