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Your First Marathon? Oh My!


Image result for first marathon ecard

If you’ve read my blog, you know that on November 3, I will be running my FIRST marathon – New York City.

pic from 2015 – must have ESP

I have sort of a plan – a modified Hal Higedon one (that will be constantly changing):

But obviously I’m no expert but a lot of others are.

Here is a sampling of helpful posts:

No, I did not read all any of the above.

But here’s my take away anyway:

  • IT IS JUST A RACE.

Yes, a big one. A big time commitment in training for it and running it. But it’s not life or death.

Image result for ecard just a race run

um not that I do these things anyway lol

  • PLAN AHEAD.

I don’t mean training plan. I mean, figure out the logistics. Hotel, transportation, etc.  Do it early as not to add to the stress of race day.

As soon as I registered for the race, I booked my hotel for Nov 2 and 3.

  • DO AS MANY OF THE RECOMMENDED LONG RUNS AS YOU CAN.

In other words, if you can’t fit them all in, it’s ok. I plan to one 14, 16, 18, 20 miler. To me, that seems doable. But weather and life may get in the way.

Image result for ecard race logistics

  • DON’T LET THE TRAINING TAKE OVER YOUR LIFE.

So skip or shorten runs during the week if you have to. Run short races on the weekends if that makes you happy. You can always add on miles before or after the race.

Image result for marathon medal ecard

  • CELEBRATE THE FINISH LINE, NOT THE FINISH TIME.

You’ve heard this before. But it’s even more crucial for your first of any distance.  You will get the same medal no matter how fast or how slow you run the race.

Image result for marathon medal ecard

  • HAVE FUN!!!

I saved the most important for last. Try to run at least part of your long training runs with others.

Image result for ecard marathon fun

Try to plan fun things to do before and/or after race day. Make the most out of your first marathon experience.

This will be my first but most likely my last marathon.  I hope that if I do not get injured along the way, it will be one of the best experiences of my life.

NYCM. Here I come!!

There is a link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these ladies.

I’m linking also up with Coaches Corner–Debbie and Marc.

Happy Running! Have you run a marathon? Any tips for running your FIRST one? Please share. Are you running NYCM this Year? If so, let’s plan a meet=up.

runner-sig

 

26 thoughts on “Your First Marathon? Oh My!”

  1. I think it’s always very important to NOT have a time goal for a new distance (if it’s considerably longer than you’ve ever run). I didn’t for 1812. I just wanted to finish, and I know I didn’t push as hard as I’m capable of — and I never planned to either.

    Yes, it’s ok to not do all the long runs if it’s not possible. But it is VERY important to always respect the distance — EVEN (sometimes especially) when you’ve done it before.

    Marathons have a way of changing people though. Obviously I’ve never run one, but I know that it’s true. You never know how you’ll feel until you cross that finish line.

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    • I’m good with finishing in 5 hours or 7 hours. I don’t really set time goals or even lap goals for any of my races. No worries there.

      I do PLAN to do all the longer runs. But life happens and running is not the most important thing in my life.

      Even if I want to try another marathon so I can do better, I’m pretty sure I will not. It’s the training not the race itself. Who wants to spend all that time running – there are other things to do. There’s just so many times you can say to your non-running friends and family that you HAVE to run lol

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  2. Yes, definitely have fun! That’s a good idea to have a race as part of your 20 mile training run so at least 13.1 miles are supported 🙂 And really smart to make sure you have all the logistics ironed out early so they don’t become a complicating factor race weekend.

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    • Signing up for a half will help to get the 20 miler done and will company. I just have to make sure I have time to run 7 miles first.

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      • Yep, or at least get in 4 or 5 of those miles before the race so there isn’t much to do afterward. And if possible, try to do the race at more of a training pace than race pace 🙂 I know that can be hard with all the race day excitement but it will definitely help with getting in those additional miles.

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  3. I am so excited for you! My goal for my first marathon was simply to finish. I did and didn’t care about my finish time. I once heard Bart Yasso speak at Fleet Feet and told us that the long run is key. Next is the recovery run. Both are to be run slow with the recovery run even at a slower pace.

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  4. I’m so excited for you! As you know, NYCM was my first marathon too and it’s such an amazing experience.

    So important to not have a time goal for your first marathon! It helped me to actually enjoy the race.

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  5. So excited for you Darlene. I’m thrilled to be running this one for a second time. Crowd support and great volunteers make it a fantastic experience for all the runners. By the way, if no one has told you, choose the poncho option instead of the checked bag option. The NYC ponchos are one of the best souvenirs of the race. They are thickly lined and will keep you warm until you get back to to your hotel room.

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    • Thanks for the advice. I probably would have checked a bag. I would appreciate any other race-related tidbits too. I am staying at the Even on 35th & 8th.

      I hope that this time we get to meet. How long will you be in NYC? I’ll be there Sat-Mon eve.

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    • Thanks. I will try to be relaxed about the whole process and enjoy the race no matter what the outcome is.

      After all, this will be my first marathon and probably my last.

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  8. You’re coming into this training with a great advantage. Having years of experience with the half marathon distance will pay off a lot. Have fun with it but train for NYC’s hills/bridges mentally and physically.

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  9. What Marcia said–I was going to say the same thing. Experience with long distance running will pay off for you. But keep that goal of having fun at the forefront of everything. That’s what it should be all about!

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  10. Jeff got in all of his long runs and I think he had the best first marathon possible for him. He was really pleased with his effort throughout the race, but said it was his only, as the training got to be tiring/boring after a while (and he ran with two other people, too). I think you’ll get to the start line as prepared as necessary – and let’s face it, the goal is to run the race, have fun along the way, and finish with a smile on your face, right?

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  12. This is going to be so much fun, but the heat wave this weekend. Ooph. Right on the eve of day one of double digits.
    I’m very go with the flow but my primary goal is to not get injured. I want one proper training cycle in my life

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