Advice for marathon novices - what I wish I knew then!

--amadeus-- · 04-01-2008 03:26PM #1

A lot of teh people who come on a board like this are probably looking for advice as they prepare for thier first race. I know that the help I recieved online was invaluable. But a lot of people are shy about asking, so here are a few things I have learned (or wished I knew then). Feel free to add your own!

First - you are unique, just because someone else is doing 22 mile runs wearing a pair of underpants on thier head and tehy have a mara PB of 2:20 doesn't mean that that is right for you. Lots of people will give you advice about distance training, refueling, clothes, etc. 99% of this is based on personal experience. Listen to it all, try if it sounds resonible but if it doesn't work then move on. EG I hate gels so I never use them and no number of people raving about them will ever make me try them again.

First Part Two- Buy lots of salt. You'll need this because every piece of advice you get should be taken with a grain of salt! Running is deceptivly simple so everyone and his aunt have an opinion. I was once given a pile of suicidally stupid and incorrect advice at a gym by an instructor who wrapped up by asking "how long is the marathon anyway?". Judge the value of teh advice by teh experience of teh person giving it.

Three - Don't take teh training program too seriously. It's vital that you train properly for the marathon but don't get obsessive. If you wake up and you have a pain in your knee then resting may be better than running just because the schedule says so. Listen to your body - if it says rest then rest. This doesn't mean slob out, just that you should adopt some flexability. Likewise if you plan to run 6 and end up running 5 then don't try and add the extra mile on to your next run.

Three Part Two - Consistancy is the key. I personally don't think that the volume of training makes that much difference to a first marathon. Train regularly, do a long run per week and get in teh habit of running. A missed run here or there won't hurt but a phantom pain every long run day leading to lots of missed runs will effect you on the day. Expect some discomfort during training, twinges, stiffness and fatigue are par for teh course.

Five - Enjoy it! Running is a hobby, not a job. If you dread the training sessions then you need to look at your schedule, vary things a bit. Instead of teh same runs on teh same routes every day vary distance, routes and speeds. Find a running partner (I use my dog

)And most of all enjoy the marathon. Thousands of people will be lining the route (especially on big races) cheering for you and wishing that they had the strength, fitness and willpower to do what you will be. So lap it up!

hunnymonster · 04-01-2008 03:39PM

Great post Amadeus.

Some of my own.

Set a goal
Not everyone agrees with me but I don't like to hear "I just want to finish". Set a time, even if this time is 8 hours. After all noone sets out to not finish.

buy good shoes
My partner ran too many marathons, on too little training in bad shoes. Now he barely walk and is only 32. Good gear is also a worthy investment, particularly sports bra's for women.

remember everyone else
If you're new to running, suddenly 5-20 hours of your week have just disappeared. Your partner, children, dog, laundry, chores,...... have not disappeared. Try to remember they need time too.

(as amadeus said) Enjoy your first marathon.
You only ever get a first marathon once, enjoy it, smile to the crowds, take your time crossing the finish line, take a perverse pleasure in legally dropping empty water bottles at the road side, make sure you are running when you pass the official photographers, limp proudly into work the day afterwards. When people enquire if you've hurt yourself, enjoy telling them no, you just ran a marathon. There are some very special races out there but nothing compares with finishing your first marathon.

Racing Flat · 04-01-2008 03:55PM

Amadeus,
Can you tell us anymore about the underpants on the head regime? I've been struggling to knock the minutes off, so willing to try anything...

Great post btw, +1

--amadeus-- · 04-01-2008 04:03PM

Racing Flat wrote: »

Amadeus,
Can you tell us anymore about the underpants on the head regime? I've been struggling to knock the minutes off, so willing to try anything...

I stumbled across the fabled "underpants on head" method when living with teh Massai tribe in deepest africa. I was having a great deal of difficulty with my running at the time. More specifically when cornering where I just couldn't get traction when going around corners. In fact my feet were slipping all over the place.

So I approached a tribal elder and asked him for advice. He told me.....

..."keep an eye on your skid marks!"

ditpoker · 04-01-2008 05:53PM

this thread is a great read so far!

sticky!?

Racing Flat · 04-01-2008 06:25PM

I would recommend the book 'The Competetive Runners Handbook' by Bob Glover as a great read for someone as they are planning/preparing for the first marathon. Not too technical but gives all the right information and very comprehensive.

hunnymonster · 04-01-2008 11:12PM

you've recommended that book a couple of times and I certainly want to get hold of it but I would be concerned by the title. Most of us will never be competitive at marathons let alpong our first time out at the distance.

eclectichoney · 04-01-2008 11:14PM

I am nearly finished The Runner's Handbook by Bob Glover and it is great for beginners (like me!) so might be a better place to start for first-timers??

Racing Flat · 04-01-2008 11:38PM

hunnymonster
Glover categorises runners into categories such as beginners, intermediate, advanced, local champion, semi-elite, elite based on race or predicted race times and then goes through requirements and training plans for all. Being relatively new to the sport myself and having read a lot of running books, I think Glover is the best, as I said, comprehensive, but not too technical. Whereas other good books e.g. Jack Daniels, Seb Coes dad's book, Tim Noakes are very technical, so Glover is the best for a beginner. I suppose everyone's competetive - if you are doing your first marathon, you are competing just to finish / break 5 hours or whatever, just like Haile is competing to break 2.04 in Dubai;) so don't let the title put you off. Most people I run with have read it a few times - I've not got to that stage yet...

Racing Flat · 04-01-2008 11:48PM

Hunnymonster,
True, most of us will never be competetive in marathons - but you are! 3rd in Connemara, that's fairly competetive if you ask me! See the local champion section of Glover;)

Dinkie · 05-01-2008 02:04PM

Having taken up running this year, my big advise would be:

If your injured, don't push your self to keep to your training schedule. Its o.k. to do less. Managed to injure myself badly this year by trying to keep to my running schedule when I was injured.

HardyEustace · 08-01-2008 03:30PM

Always have at least two pairs of shoes on the go.

If you have only one pair of shoes and something happened to them the night before/morning of the marathon you'd be in big trouble.

hunnymonster · 08-01-2008 03:58PM

HardyEustace wrote: »

Always have at least two pairs of shoes on the go.

If you have only one pair of shoes and something happened to them the night before/morning of the marathon you'd be in big trouble.

This is good advice on several fronts. If (like me) you went for a lunchtime run today, your trainers are likely to be out of action for up to 48 hours while they dry out. It was miserable out there! I always have at least 2 pairs of trainers for running in. When they retire from running, they become gym shoes for a while and finally get used to walk to work in before giving them to charity. I keep meaning to start logging how many miles are on each pair but I've been far too lazy so far.

tunney · 08-01-2008 05:04PM

I used to be a great man for multiple pairs of shoes and rotating them etc etc.

Now I just have one pair of lightweight racers that i use for all my running year road. Stuff newspaper in them after a runner and off you go. I replace them when there they fall apart

How Strange · 09-01-2008 11:39AM

Speaking of running shoes - I saw lifestyle had women's kayano's for €105 last weekend. I'm broke at the moment it makes no difference to me.

I'm new to running myself - I've done up to 11k. I went out on Saturday and could only do 9k, went out Monday and was wiped at 4k. Going out again tonight and hopefully will do better.

Planning on doing the 5mile in Raheny, then a half marathon in Holland on Easter weekend and then the 10k in Phoenix Park at beginning of April. My longterm goal is the Dublin marathon but I'm not going to start training for that now. At present I just want to build up my miles slowly. I try to go out 4 times a week but this bloody weather (rain and wind) isn't exactly enticing.

Do you reckon running on a threadmill is as good as running outdoors?
I get so bored on them but I suppose it may be necessary over the next couple of months considering the weather.

macinalli · 09-01-2008 12:52PM

How Strange wrote: »

Do you reckon running on a threadmill is as good as running outdoors?
I get so bored on them but I suppose it may be necessary over the next couple of months considering the weather.

I don't know about others but I just can't run on treadmills. About 20 minutes and I need to stop; nothing in particular, I just think they're incredibly uncomfortable to run on. As for wind and rain - the best cure is a decent jacket and some company. Also good for increasing distance - you don't really notice the miles if you're too busy chatting!

hunnymonster · 09-01-2008 04:19PM

How Strange wrote: »

Do you reckon running on a threadmill is as good as running outdoors?
I get so bored on them but I suppose it may be necessary over the next couple of months considering the weather.

I'm one of a rare bunch of runners who doesn't discourage people from running on the "dreadmill". In fact I trained exclusively on one for my first couple of marathons.

I still use them occasionally, for example last week I did 8x800m at marathon race pace off 200m recovery. I knew if I went outside to do this I would slack. You can't cheat the machine (though the machine can cheat you, never believe how many calories it tells you, you are using)

Having said that, I now try to do most of my running outdoors as I find it much more enjoyable. As has already been said, There is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes. Part of running is mental, getting out there when the weather is awful prepares you for anything.

How Strange · 09-01-2008 07:26PM

hunnymonster Quote:..There is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes. Part of running is mental, getting out there when the weather is awful prepares you for anything

Yeh hunnymonster, I think I need to get over the 'oh its raining out so I can't go for a run' mentality. It's just so hard on a night like tonight when its absolutely lashing and freezing cold.

brutes · 09-01-2008 10:07PM

Yes its all mental or 80% is in marathon running anyway - in bad weather like this and as forecast, its very difficult to get started - even if you have a few under your belt like me!. But once you are out and have the first two miles done , you will genuinely find the weather becomes background noise and you really dont notice it - honestly!. It is a great feeling and excellent motivator to get the training done and you will feel much stronger physically and mentally for having done training in poor conditions - a good rainjacket and quick shower after and youll be right ...

Clum · 10-01-2008 11:20AM

hunnymonster wrote: »

Part of running is mental.

The wife reckons it's all mental! Seeing me coming home night after night freezing and soaking she thinks I'm completely mad...

How Strange · 10-01-2008 10:55PM

hey brutes, you are totally right. I'm a wuss

But I'll get myself out there no matter what the weather from next week.

--amadeus-- · 27-02-2008 12:35PM

I'm doing a frankenstein and bringing an old thread back to life...

The original point of this thread was to let people who had done a few races pass on thier experiences to first timers. Well we are now fast approaching the point where training builds to a peak and races start to get run. The Seville marathon has already been and gone and while there aren't many marathons in March we have Rotterdam, London, Paris, Stockholm and, of course, Connemara closing in fast. Lot's of people planning marathons may also be running thoer first ever 10K or half's over teh next few weeks.

So I thought I'd bring this back up and see if anyone has any race day advice to pass on? I have some but I don't want to put up a mega long post so I'll wait and see if there is any interest in the thread before writing my essay!

geld · 28-02-2008 01:02AM

It took me five marathons to realise that you have to go slow at the start. This is a serious distance and you need to conserve your energy. That for me is the best advise that I wish I knew then that I know now.

Other things such as enjoy your first marathon - you'll never run one again and have a training plan and as best you can stick to it.

JustMe1982 · 23-04-2009 10:58AM

I was talking to someone and said i dont know if i can imagine myself running for over 3 hours. She said as a first timer i will be going close to 6 hours. :eek:

I dont know if i can do this!!!

HardyEustace · 23-04-2009 11:14AM

JustMe1982 wrote: »

I was talking to someone and said i dont know if i can imagine myself running for over 3 hours. She said as a first timer i will be going close to 6 hours. :eek:

I dont know if i can do this!!!

That's utter rubbish.

Now this could be a wild guess but I'll bet this "someone" hasn't run a marathon.

JustMe1982 · 23-04-2009 11:31AM

Well she was in traing last year and did all the adidas race series but got injured for the marathon last year so couldnt do it but what she was saying was as a first timer you dont usually run the whole thing, you have a lot of walking.

I know i wont be running the whole thing!

HardyEustace · 23-04-2009 11:39AM

JustMe1982 wrote: »

Well she was in traing last year and did all the adidas race series but got injured for the marathon last year so couldnt do it but what she was saying was as a first timer you dont usually run the whole thing, you have a lot of walking.

I know i wont be running the whole thing!

Utter rubbish... I hadn't run a step before April and ran the whole thing and finished just under four and a half hours. All this while I was still a dedicated smoker.

However, if you think you won't be running the whole thing then you won't be running the whole thing.

To be honest, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that "someone" is a bit jealous and doesn't want to think that you'll do better than them. I'd find someone a bit more positive as a mentor.

Not that I've masses of experience but if someone was genuinely interested - I'd be far more positive and affirming about their ability to run a marathon and would stress how pleasant the whole experience is.

And I'm slow.... lots of people run their first marathon in 3:30 to 4:00 hours sometimes even faster.

I'm quite cross with this "someone" giving out such negative advice.

Highway_To_Hell · 23-04-2009 12:00PM

Why not run the whole marathon, that was one of my goals for my so far only marathon (DCM 08). between now and October there is plenty of time to build up the distance and if you follow a structured program it will have you running 20+ miles before the event by slowly increasing the mileage each week and this gives you the confidence to know you can do it.

In Jan 08 I could not run more then 500 meters without stopping, in Oct I ran every step of the marathon.

I would think that 6hrs for a marathon would have you walking 75-80% of the distance.

TFBubendorfer · 23-04-2009 12:21PM

How Strange wrote: »

Do you reckon running on a threadmill is as good as running outdoors?
I get so bored on them but I suppose it may be necessary over the next couple of months considering the weather.

You do not need to run on a treadmill in Ireland, ever. Rain should not stop you from running (what do you do if it's raining on marathon day? Cancel the whole thing?), and the wind isn't that bad 363 days of the year.

If you prefer running on a treadmill in bad weather then go right ahead, but it definitely is not a necessity.

dermCu · 23-04-2009 12:58PM

I'll tell you what I wish I knew then.........

Your nipples are small (mine are anyway!!) but my god they can cause you a lot of pain if they get chafed.
Even if they haven’t been a problem on long runs protect them somehow for the marathon.
The same goes for vaseline around sensitive areas. I won’t forget that lesson.

The moral of the story: your long run isn’t just a long run; it’s also a dress rehearsal for the race.

Running Bing · 23-04-2009 01:05PM

Are treadmills easier to run on than outdoors?

I only ever ran on one once but it felt very easy compared to outdoors.

When I think about it outdoors you are actively pushing yourself forward where as on a treadmill its more just going with it, moving your legs. Surely there is a difference?

Advice for marathon novices - what I wish I knew then!

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