Running my first marathon! tips and suggestions?

L

LongDistance

Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
319
Hey all, I am going to run the San Francisco Marathon on July 29th, 2007. This will be my first marathon so I'm pretty excited, but it also means I have NO idea what to expect.

So I have some questions and would feel very appreciated if anyone can spare their time to answer them

where is a good source for marathon training information? please don't say "google". Like is there a good guide book I should check out?

any tips and warnings? like any advice that would prevent "beginners' mistakes" is appreciated.

anyone else running the San Francisco Marathon? Just curious. :cool:

Oh, I'm going to run and train with a couple of my friends (first timers too), so I don't need to worry about having a "support group".
 
I ran my one and only marathon several years ago. I can't point you to any training sources, just some suggestions. First, train on the same type of surface and altitude variations as the course. I trained by running on trails in a local state forest, the course was asphalt and concrete. My legs and hips were killing me by the end of the marathon. Hold back at the beginning of the marathon. Try running it in negative splits. I think I started out too fast in mine and that seemed to be a problem as well. Finally, keep up with the stretching! I talked to a leading ultramarathoner recently and he said his priorities are stretching, strengthening then running.
 
LongDistance said:
Hey all, I am going to run the San Francisco Marathon on July 29th, 2007. This will be my first marathon so I'm pretty excited, but it also means I have NO idea what to expect.

So I have some questions and would feel very appreciated if anyone can spare their time to answer them

where is a good source for marathon training information? please don't say "google". Like is there a good guide book I should check out?

any tips and warnings? like any advice that would prevent "beginners' mistakes" is appreciated.

anyone else running the San Francisco Marathon? Just curious. :cool:

Oh, I'm going to run and train with a couple of my friends (first timers too), so I don't need to worry about having a "support group".
Click to expand...

Start by subscribing to "Runner's World" and look for resources. Hal Higdon has been running almost all of my life and has written a number of guides for training.

I ran my first marathon 1n 3:05:31. Although it may sound sort of decent there was a marked degree of pain and learning during and after the race. I was not prepared and hit the wall at 21 miles. The last 5 miles 385 yards was pure hell and took over an hour to complete. I also failed to properly hydrate during the meet.

My advice is to start increasing your mileage untill you feel comfortable running a weekly practice 20-miler at your race pace and shorter faster runs of 5 - 15 miles per day. But don't feel you HAVE to run every day. Listen to what your body is telling you and learn when to push it. I grew up with the LSD - Long Slow Distance - crowd like Higdon but you need to mix in speedwork and fartlek to keep yourself from getting bored and incurring possible overuse injuries. You definately have to start with good shoes and pace yourself in training so you peak during your targeted race season. As stated train in similar terrain where you are going to run but since you live near SF you have some of the greatest trails along the Coast Range and over in the East Bay where you live. Try the Berkley Hills, and East Oakland in Redwood Park and the Oakland City Park system for some challenging hill courses. It rejuvenates your soul to take a few fun-runs in the cool mist-shrouded Redwood forests.

Don't know your background and goals so can't really offer much advice at this point. Once you are really ready to run try the Dip Sea Run from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach (over the back of Mount Tamalpais) for an eye-opening warm-up.......if you survive and really want to compete again there is the Double Dip Sea a few months later. Good luck. Run well! Run long!





:D
J
 
Pace yourself at your own level. Do not try to stay up with someone else. You will probably hit a wall around 12-14 miles and you will feel like you are running in cement. Huff, huff, huff, puff, puff, puff. Run at your own pace, don't think about the run, until you cross the finish. Do not stop, as it will break your rhythm, pace.
Good Luck!
 
Subscribe to Runner's World and go from there. They always have tips for beginning marathoners. If you've never raced much before, I would recommend signing up for some progressively longer races in order to get the feel for how races work logistically, i.e. how early to show up to the start and what to eat the night before. It's much better to learn these things at a local 5-K or 10-K than at the marathon you paid hundreds of dollars to travel to. Plus they're fun. Best of luck and enjoy yourself. :)
 
thanks for all the advice, I'm giving runner's world a look for sure. Some background info about me, I ran cross country during high school and is currently doing triathlon club at college right now. I have full confidence that I can run a marathon, except I just don't know "how" yet.
 
Java has it right. Follow his information and learn to relax while you run. Don't even think about marathon training until you have a 40 mile per week base to work from. Enter some shorter races to work on speed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top