Dare to Run a marathon
5,375 members Daring to Run a marathon have tracked a total of 10,693 times
Running a marathon can be one of the most rewarding and motivating experiences of your life, and can teach you endless lessons about endurance, inner strength and perseverance.
Member Comments
By "overdid it", oh also had a few pretzels at that aid station...that was in addition t my usual....had oatmeal/blueberries and greek yogurt @ 3:45 a.m.!! Run started @ 6:15. Started the previous afternoon drinking Nuun rather than my usual iced tea. During the run used a gel every 45 min and hydrated with Nuun....until I ran out (had 32z with me and then with straight water. Will carry Nuun tabs for marathon.
By "overdid it", oh also had a few pretzels at that aid station...that was in addition t my usual....had oatmeal/blueberries and greek yogurt @ 3:45 a.m.!! Run started @ 6:15. Started the previous afternoon drinking Nuun rather than my usual iced tea. During the run used a gel every 45 min and hydrated with Nuun....until I ran out (had 32z with me and then with straight water. Will carry Nuun tabs for marathon.
By "overdid it", oh also had a few pretzels at that aid station...that was in addition t my usual....had oatmeal/blueberries and greek yogurt @ 3:45 a.m.!! Run started @ 6:15. Started the previous afternoon drinking Nuun rather than my usual iced tea. During the run used a gel every 45 min and hydrated with Nuun....until I ran out (had 32z with me and then with straight water. Will carry Nuun tabs for marathon.
Grrrrrr!
You sound like you were well fueled. What was your longest run within the last 3 or 4 weeks?
Did 16 miles today at a 9:12 average pace.
18 next week, 20 the following, then taper. The event is October 16th in Grand Rapids Mi.
Experiencing some sharp pain in the knees periodically. May avoid the speed work this week and resume strength training.
I've decided to go to the Las Vegas marathon in Dec. so I've hopped on to my usual training program at 15 weeks to go. Did 6 miles in the broiling heat (33C or 92F) last night, it was brutal, I'm just not used to that although I know lots of you do it every day. Give me 10C(50F) any day for a run. Today it will be 6 hill climbs, again in the heat.
I live in the southeast and I'm training for a Nov. full. I know your pain in the heat. I ran 16 Sunday, and went through my fuel belt after the first 8 miles. Much slower pace than usual. I couldn't avoid my start time which was at 2pm and 96F (with heat index, more like 101). I do like your fueling suggestion in a different post. I'll incorporate that in the future.
I ran the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Half last year. It was a blast - lots of Elvis costumes. This year its at night down the strip. I'm planning to do it again. Is that the one you're doing?
yup that's the one, 4 pm start... last 13 miles is out and back on the strip. Should be lots of entertainment on the sidewalk at the time of day.
I have done 4 half marathons and for my 40th bday (2013) I want to do a full. Las Vegas is the one I would like to finish! Good luck!!
I have done 4 half marathons and for my 40th bday (2013) I want to do a full. Las Vegas is the one I would like to finish! Good luck!!
I have done 4 half marathons and for my 40th bday (2013) I want to do a full. Las Vegas is the one I would like to finish! Good luck!!
I have done 4 half marathons and for my 40th bday (2013) I want to do a full. Las Vegas is the one I would like to finish! Good luck!!
I have done 4 half marathons and for my 40th bday (2013) I want to do a full. Las Vegas is the one I would like to finish! Good luck!!
13 today, both of my legs were cramped and so tight it took me about 4 miles to loosen up, I think it was because I have been dehydrated, (no power for 5 days=no water). I ended up running the last 2.5 on my treadmill. I've decided to follow Jeff Galloway's training plan for my first marathon, so I have backed up a little with my long runs.
Good luck to anyone with a race this weekend!
I ran Fartlek's today, 7 minute speed, 2 minute recovery at race pace. Did 6 iterations, and 9.6 miles. Glad I did it, and even more glad it is over!
Add Notes to your diary...did cross country in high school and i've wanted to run a marathon for a long time now. i think it's high time i stop talking about it and actually do one! right now i don't even walk or do any kind of excercise, but i'm gonna change that. i hear you need to be running 5 miles every day before you start training for a marathon, so i've got my work cut out for me! excited to start running again.
im in the same boat as you. used to run, dont anymore. im ready to start though!
Good for you taking action! I would highly recommend getting a training plan. There are a lot of options out there, Runnersworld.com, books by Jeff Galloway or Hal Higdon to name a few. To run a marathon, you really need to build up your endurance, and I'm afraid running 5 miles everyday may not be effective. You also need to allow your body to rest as well.
Good luck with it.
7 mile pace run last night, started to run out of steam at 4 miles but still managed to finish strong. Day of rest today.
5 mile hill workout last night with 8 climbs, got drenched in a downpour. Did 7 miles "easy" this morning but it was really closer to marathon pace. I'll be falling asleep at my desk by 3 pm.
Ran a strong 18 on Sunday - the first 16 went easy, but the last two I overheated. It was already 90 degrees at 8:30 am.
Still had a decent run, but I could never run in the heat like some of you do...
Well completed my 18 miler today and felt good. The refueling really helped thank you. now with only a few weeks till race day should I go for 20 miles next week or work on speed, cross training, and 8 to 10 milers?
Any advice?
If you are at least 3 weeks to race day, then do a 20 miler, otherwise dial back and taper (rest). Are you following a training program?
Hello I am running a marathon Sept 24th. My longest run has been 16 miles. i am scheduled to do 18 this week and 20 next week. I think my problem is refueling during long runs? Any advice?
Fueling is the hardest and usually the last thing marathoners figure out (at least in my case). The pattern I use and works very well is on runs of 16 miles plus, is to eat 500 (on marathon day it's 1000) or more calories 2 to 3 1/2 hours prior to the start of the run. That means if I was starting at 6 am I was waking up at 2:30 am to eat. Then during the run I take a gel every 4 or 5 miles in addition to sports drinks during the run. Sounds crazy and extreme but several of my training group all started to do this at the same time and each of us swear by it. You should be using the long runs as rehearsals for race day so you can fine tune the amount and what you eat.
Thank you. I wish I would have researched this more a few weeks ago. Now I'm so frustrated I want to quit but I'm going to try this and keep truckin along!
Don't quit, you've come so far! You can do it!
Don't be discouraged, you have lots of time to work the fueling into you running. The mistake I used to make was waiting too long before fueling, don't rely on the gels they hand out at mile 18 of the marathon, that is way too late. Eat lots early and try to take in at least 1/2 of the calories you are burning (very difficult to do).
Was supposed to do 6 climbs last night but negotiated down to 5 since is was so hot 37C (99F). I felt very winded which I am attributing to the heat and not my inconsistent training over the last month. Day of rest today.
By bsgaston on September 12, 2011 at 07:14 AM
21.5 miles benchmark run yesterday. Longest ever! Miles 14 feeling great. Miles 15-17 killed me. Miles 17 on were okay. Finished running. Ate some licorice @ mile 14 aid station. Have never done that before. Think I overdid it?? Won't be trying anything I haven't had before again. Guess that's what training runs are for! To learn from. Taper from here on. Portland Marathon October 9. Can't wait. At 58, and a non-runner until this year, I CAN and WILL complete my first marathon ever!