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my first marathon!

Justin M.
Justin M. Sendmail

First marathon advice

posted over 2 years ago | Report

OK, after 2 years of running, and 16 months of hard training I finished my first marathon in the weekend! I thought I'd share a few things I learned.

I hoped on running a sub 4hr marathon and finished in 3hr 39m, a time I am so proud of!

Biggest mistake I made was drank too much before hand. Practice hydration in the weeks before hand. Work out how much is too much, you dont want to have to stop at the 12km mark for a pee like I did after running 8km feeling very uncomfortable! Honestly the night before is your best chance to hydrate, on the day just sip a bit then drink at every station you pass!

Best advice was to not worry about the nerves. I hardly slept the night before, got to sleep about 10pm and woke up at 3am, but was fine for the race. Couldnt sleep the next day until 10pm. Do your best to rest up as much as you can in the days before but dont worry if you cant.

On the run. Just focus on yourself. Don't worry about anyone else, just run your own race. Listen to your body, run as fast as you think you can sustain for 35km, don't be afraid to push it a little harder and just see how you feel. Dont try to keep up with someone else, if they want to go faster than you let them!! (likely you'll pass them in the last 5km).

Trust your training! Remember how hard you worked, every single mile you ran is one on the bank for the race. You have done it and you will do it.

Dont be scared of the wall. You will hit the wall in some way, just keep going. Pain is temporary but pride is forever. After 38km I started focusing on the next km, didnt worry about anything else, just the next km... after 38 it was more like focus on the next 500m! In the end it was all I was worried about was the next 100m and keeping on going and thinking about all the effort I'd put in up to the race, and how I earned the right to run the whole way.

Anyway, thats what comes to mind. Enjoy the race, its the greatest thing I ever did in my life. The hardest and most satisfying. On the run I swore I would never do it again, but as soon as I finished I started thinking about my next one! Cant wait :)

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  • Frank C.
    Frank C. Sendmail

    Congratulations! And, thanks for the tips. The whole hydration thing has been gnawing at me for the last few weeks - how much, carry my own, or use the aid stations, etc.

    I've heard there are two kinds of marathon finishers - those that swear never again, and those that can't wait for the next one. Nice to see you're in the latter group. I hope my race goes as well as yours.

    Thanks again!

    posted over 2 years ago | Report

  • Jamie P.
    Jamie P. Sendmail

    Awesome! I really look forward to my first marathon next year. Some very good food for thought, thanks.

    posted over 2 years ago | Report

  • Sabrina
    Sabrina Sendmail

    Thank you for the tips, I'm so excited to do my first Marathon in May, but at the same time I'm super scared.

    posted about 2 years ago | Report

  • Morey B.
    Morey B. Sendmail

    Perfect advice. My first is in 9 weeks. I'm tossing the hay in the barn and the training is going well. (damn near 2 years worth). I'm right where you are. My goal is 4hr, but I know that if things go well and it's a good day, 3:39 is within my capability. Heck, 3:30 and qual for Boston may be possible, but I don't want to worry about time so much. Just running comfortably and saving enough to be able to pick up the pace the last 3 miles. I'd rather be thrilled that I enjoyed the race/run and did a 3:55 than be pissed that I ran a 3:31.

    posted about 2 years ago | Report

  • Juli A.
    Juli A. Sendmail

    Any suggestions on actual training, how to work up your mileage or energy tips? I am planning to run my 1st marathon in November.

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • Martin E.
    Martin E. Sendmail

    Thanks for the post. Very encouraging and useful ...especially about hydration.

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • Caroline
    Caroline Sendmail

    Thank you for the advice. It is such a positive thing to read something like this. I did a 12 mile run yesterday and stopped because of knee pain. I think I could have gone on but I am not sure when to push or when pain is well, not ok. My marathon is in a month so reading these tips was very helpful. Thank you!

    posted over 1 year ago | Report

  • Keong
    Keong Sendmail
    in reply to what Juli A. said:Any suggestions on actual training, how to work up your mileage or energy tips? I am planning to run my 1st marathon in November.

    for newbies, i guess we need to clock at least 30km or more if u can like 32km or 35km on LSD training

    posted over 1 year ago | Report

  • Keong
    Keong Sendmail
    in reply to what Juli A. said:Any suggestions on actual training, how to work up your mileage or energy tips? I am planning to run my 1st marathon in November.

    for newbies, i guess we need to clock at least 30km or more if u can like 32km or 35km on LSD training

    posted over 1 year ago | Report

  • Keong
    Keong Sendmail
    in reply to what Juli A. said:Any suggestions on actual training, how to work up your mileage or energy tips? I am planning to run my 1st marathon in November.

    for newbies, i guess we need to clock at least 30km or more if u can like 32km or 35km on LSD training

    posted over 1 year ago | Report

  • Michael N.
    Michael N. Sendmail

    congratulations and thanks for the nice advice!

    posted over 1 year ago | Report

  • Micke
    Micke Sendmail

    thank you so muc for this. i was planning on asking marathoners for some advice like this. im just too shy to do it. thank God i came across with you guys. thank so much Justin for your Golden advice. this is grat in lifting our spirits up. after i read this i feel like when you see the finish line and you're so tired and somebody shouted and cheered you up. it lifted up my spirits. thanks again. hope you can touch others by this. good luck everyone

    posted over 1 year ago | Report

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