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Rob B.
Rob B. Sendmail

Marathon advice

posted almost 2 years ago | Report

I'll be running my first marathon in December (Honolulu). Any advice for a first time marathoner? Especially since I'll be going barefoot.

I have a training guide from halhigdon.com that I'll start about 16 weeks out. I'm just looking for general advice~

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10 posts

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  • Mark C.
    Mark C. Sendmail

    Wow.....Running the marathon barefeet. I saw one person start the race barefeet but lost sight of him after running through downtown. Last years marathon was my first. I trained for a whole year and made it through at 5 hours 23 minutes. I give you lots props for trying this with no shoes.

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • Rob B.
    Rob B. Sendmail

    Hey Mark. Technically, I wouldn't be barefoot. I'll be running it in my Vibrams.

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • Matt B.
    Matt B. Sendmail
    in reply to what Rob B. said:Hey Mark. Technically, I wouldn't be barefoot. I'll be running it in my Vibrams.

    December gives you a long time to ramp up. Patience is always the biggest challenge.

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • Josh S.
    Josh S. Sendmail

    Don't worry about the fact that you will be wearing minimal shoes. Focus on developing correct form and building your body up to the mileage. If minimal shoes are better you have an advantage, not a handicap!

    Long races are more of a mental challenge than a physical one. If you are not worried about your finish time, you just need to focus on form and building your longest practice run up without injuring yourself. If all you care about is completing this one race, you could probably get by with maxing out at a long practice run of only 16-18miles... you just have to get the mental endurance figured out.

    Don't forget to taper down in the two weeks prior to the race, and give your body some rest after the race (especially if your race was dramatically longer than any previous practice mileage).

    Hope this helps!

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • Piet B.PRO
    Piet B. Sendmail

    I am running with VFF Sprints, also training for my first marathon on Halloween (Marine Corps Marathon). I'm also using the Higdon method. My current goal is the Marine Corps Half Marathon in May; then I will take my time moving on to the first Marathon in late October.

    If you haven't run any sort of race in them yet, I'll share my experience:

    If my one race is anything of a datum of statistics to base my experience, its that the VFF runners are rare -- about one in a thousand. (There were 2000 runners at my 10k, and there were 2 of us there in our VFFs). (Other race venues may vary).

    This type of rarity will get lots of attention toward your feet before, during, and after the race. It will come in the form of genuine curiosity, fashion envy, fashion horror, and a rather rude incredulity of your running in non-standard shoes.

    I ran my first 10k ever with the VFF Sprints, and while getting passed (I am slow after all (I have lots of mass to move (but not for long))), literally dozens of runners asked me the standard gamut of questions. I was running as hard as I could, but still somewhat conversational in my pace. Maybe I would have run faster if I didn't blah-blah so much.

    Now that I think about it, I should get a tee shirt printed on the back that answers all the questions I got.

    "They are called Vibram Five Fingers"
    "No, I'm not crazy"
    "Yes, I really freaking love these shoes."
    "No, it doesn't hurt when I step on a rock, because I always run around them."
    "There is much less shock because I run with a softer step. Listen to yourself. You sound like a horse clomping in those shoes."
    "No, I will never go back to regular running shoes."
    "Your ancestors didn't wear running shoes, they didn't pronate and didn't require extra arch support."
    "They ran in the savanna. Not on dewy grass. Packed dirt is as hard as pavement."
    "No, I don't need the arch support; that's a myth perpetrated by the Sneaker Cartel of Nike and Reebok"

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • Steph M.
    Steph M. Sendmail

    Hey Rob,

    I Ran my first Marathon last fall, Marine Corps Marathon 2009. I ran it in Vibram classics! I also used Higdon's training intermediate guide. I ran all of my training in VFFs and did just fine!!! I got lots of attention out there, lots of curious runners asking questions.

    I agree with finding your correct form - most important. Read what you can. If you run from now til December doing the miles Higdon will push you up to you will definetly find your form. As for your feet, the better you run, the better they will feel ~~~ I just got done with a 10 mile run and my feet do not ache or hurt.... but I definetly feel something in them, like i just put them to some good use!!!
    Good Luck! Love to hear posts on your progress!
    Steph

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • Rob B.
    Rob B. Sendmail

    Hey guys, thanks for all the great advice. I've been running in my KSOs for a few months now, and I love them. I've been running for a while, and have always suffered from chronic knee pain, and bouts of plantar faciatis. Well since making the switch to VIbrams, I've been pain free!

    Steph, I can't believe you ran it in classics! I used to run in classics but i would have this nagging spot on the top of my left foot where the shoe would dig in.

    Piet, if you get those shirts made let me know. That about answers all the questions I get when I'm in my VFFs. Especially the one about rocks. And that is always my reply "no they don't hurt, because I watch where I run and avoid them!"

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • Heather R.
    Heather R. Sendmail

    LOL I was running this morning and a lady walking her dog stops and says "Hey those are those shoes I saw on tv! They are supposed to be really good" Did you catch the part where I said I was running.... I just replied with a "yep" as I was headed in the opposite direction and about .20 miles from my stopping point. I have the classics but my KSO's have been shipped, I can't wait! I ran in my Asics (out of curiosity) Tuesday and felt as if I had lead weights on my feet not to mention my shins were killing me during and after the run. I am a VFF convert without a doubt.

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • Mel W.
    Mel W. Sendmail

    I'm just waiting for my KSO's to be delivered and can't wait. These aren't seen that often in the UK so I'm expecting alot of reaction. I'm going to build it up slowly though, don't think I'll be quite ready for my next Marathon in September will I?

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • Brenna S.
    Brenna S. Sendmail

    I read the book The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer and found it really helpful. I was a runner before marathon training so don't let the title fool you, it is a helpful book for both runners and non-runners. I didn't follow their training schedule but did read it while I was training (you read a chapter each week). It has a lot of great advice on the mental aspect of running an endurance event.

    Here's a link to the book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1570281823

    Also, good luck! I'm planning to do the LA Marathon completely barefoot next year. Just got into barefoot and minimalist (I have VFF KSOs) running a couple months ago.

    posted over 1 year ago | Report

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