Marathon Runners: tell me stuff!

I've registered for the St. George marathon on October 3rd. They're posting the lottery results on the 8th... or 11th... or something like that... so I don't know if I'm in yet, but whether I make it into this one or not, I'm still planning on running a marathon sometime or another.

Now, this is my first marathon, so it's not like I'm going for anything here except crossing the finish line in one piece, so I'd just like general information: how you trained (building up mileage, when to rest, etc.), what you did/ate the week/day before the actual marathon, etc. etc. Even good music to listen to while running.

I also hear that a really important part of training for a marathon is consistently keeping your workouts long and slow. I'm going to be in my cross country season a month before, so I'll be doing no more than 6 miles at practice, and on most days we'll be doing faster workouts like intervals and thresholds. Is this really going to mess me up?

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@your last paragraph... who told you that? I trained under the the best US marathoner there ever was, he did a combination of LSD and fast interval training. You have to have the power to push up hills. Your fast interval training will definitely help you.

Ask me again closer to the race and I'll give you some tips on the actually race. If you think you're going at the right pace, slow the fuck down! :P

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Originally Posted by ninja9578

I trained under the the best US marathoner there ever was

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Frank Shorter? Bill Rogers? I haven't been keeping up much at all in recent years.

I have only done one marathon, but I want to emphasize your point about being prepared for hills. I did not do much hill running when I trained, and that Memphis Marathon I did had two inclines that were about five miles each. They absolutely destroyed my legs, and I had to do some walking from mile 20 to mile 24. I told you about that recently, but I want to make sure others know. If there are hills in the race, be very ready for them.

Hey Lagunagirl, that's the marathon that I did. And it's a really beautiful route. I hope you get to do it.

I have no advice to give because I'm not a runner. I just did it for fun. I didn't even really train. So if your only goal is to cross the finish line (as mine was), you should have no problem. I think anyone who is in any shape at all can complete a marathon. The main thing you have to have is that ability to dig deep and force yourself to go those last few miles when you really don't want to.

Anyway, sounds like you'll be training fine...and listen to Ninja for more advice.

Good luck!

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Originally Posted by Universal Mind

Frank Shorter? Bill Rogers? I haven't been keeping up much at all in recent years.

I have only done one marathon, but I want to emphasize your point about being prepared for hills. I did not do much hill running when I trained, and that Memphis Marathon I did had two inclines that were about five miles each. They absolutely destroyed my legs, and I had to do some walking from mile 20 to mile 24. I told you about that recently, but I want to make sure others know. If there are hills in the race, be very ready for them.

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Meant to say one of the best: Steve Spence.

Just my small advice - get decent shoes.

Im no marathon runner but I go jogging and i've done the 10k a few times. Once my feet went completely numb from the knees down. Im pretty sure it was crappy shoes, i mean they weren't even tight.

Good Luck!

Seeing as lagunagirl is a XC runner, I assumed that she had good shoes :P Make sure your arch supports are perfect for a marathon. Even a tiny lack of support or too much support at that distance can tear the tibialis anterior right off of the bone.

Thanks for the advice. I have pretty good running shoes, but I'd better make sure the arch support is right, I'm only up to about 6 miles right now as I haven't been training for very long, but I've already started to notice it bothering me. And thanks for the link to your running guide, ninja. I'm probably not going to follow the whole walking, then running guide since I've already been running and there's no sense in going backwards, seeing as I feel fine. But still, good advice. thanks! :)

Some more advice, get an exercise ball and use that as you chair. I'm sure you spend a decent amount of time watching tv or in front of your computer. A marathon puts a huge strain on your core muscles, especially your back, which is otherwise hard to work out. Sitting on a ball will strengthen your core and allow you to run easier, not to mention that 6packs are sexy :D

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Originally Posted by ninja9578

Some more advice, get an exercise ball and use that as you chair. I'm sure you spend a decent amount of time watching tv or in front of your computer. A marathon puts a huge strain on your core muscles, especially your back, which is otherwise hard to work out. Sitting on a ball will strengthen your core and allow you to run easier, not to mention that 6packs are sexy :D

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haha yeah, I WISH I had abs. I hardly ever watch TV, but I do get on the computer for decent amount of time. Do you know what other exercises could work my back besides the exercise ball?

Know what a roman chair is? Basically a machine for reverse crunches, a real roman chair in a weight room is best, but you can lean off of any edge and do them that way (have someone sit on your legs so you don't tip over of course :P) Make sure that they hold you via the thighs though, they'll get more leverage holding your calfs, and will want to do that, but that strains the knees.

Other than that the ball is the best way.