Super B****
Well. My "taper" was five weeks long and I barely ran during those weeks, which helped me finish on an injured knee, but it also helped me miss my goal time, so… depends if you're a glass-half-empty or glass-half-full kind of person.
chasing the impossible
because i never shut up ... i blog
Runs4Sanity
Okay you people, this is not going to become an underwear thread damn it But if I am wearing capris, I have to wear a thong otherwise it's camel toe big time I had a great floater pic back 2 years ago but could never publicly post it because of the atrocious camel toe (lesson learned )
After some thinking, I am almost tempted in editing next year's marathon training plan, instead of having it like 18-19 weeks of training I might put it closer to 15 weeks to give myself more rest after this one.
The going out fast will definitely be my biggest concern at the start, I am hoping to keep myself around a 10 min pace going out and averaging out to a 9:50 around mile 3 or 4 and hold onto that a while.
*Do It For Yourself, Do It Because They Said It Was Impossible, Do It Because They Said You Were Incapable*
PRs
5k - 24:15 (7:49 min/mile pace)
10k - 51:47 (8:16 min/mile pace)
15k -1:18:09 (8:24 min/mile pace)
13.1 - 1:53:12 (8:39 min/mile pace)
26:2 - 4:14:55 (9:44 min/mile)
You, no-underwear runners, simply have no decorum.
Do most consider thong an underwear or do thongs have their own category because when someone talks about undies and panties I think of hipsters, bikini style, granny panties while placing thongs in their own category.
Speaking of which, either tomorrow or Wednesday (tomorrow is showing tons of storms ) I am going to try out the lululemon shorts, I'll let you guys know.
I'm a wirgin.
Former Bad Ass
Who cares about a camel toe? Pffftt.
Damaris
Camel toe and thongs in a FS's thread? Why am I not surprised.
PRs: Boston Marathon, 3:27, April 15th 2013
Cornwall Half-Marathon, 1:35, April 27th 2013
18 marathons, 18 BQs since 2010
I care about a camel toe sighting damn it, when it's mine
... Also, does anybody else make a list of everything they need when going out of town for a race, normally something like 13.1 or longer? I have already made my list for what will need to be in the Tahoe on the day we leave, most importantly everything that Dorian will need to make sure he is happy and taken care of. I also have a race week game plan - does that make me weird?
...
Also, does anybody else make a list of everything they need when going out of town for a race, normally something like 13.1 or longer? I have already made my list for what will need to be in the Tahoe on the day we leave, most importantly everything that Dorian will need to make sure he is happy and taken care of. I also have a race week game plan - does that make me weird?
Yes, make a list! I didn't last weekend, and that's how I ended up driving all over Long Beach Saturday night looking for a sports bra, instead of going out for a nice dinner. At least I discovered it Sat night and not Sunday morning.
Andrea. I think it's a great idea that you made a list of what you will bring. I do the same. Then, I test different outfits, shoes, etc... and I either remove, or add, some items on the list. And I try to have my bag ready a few days before the race. For taper, I should run about 30-35 miles before race day, according to my plans, but I usually only run about 20-24 miles and I skip the Saturday run. Your miles will depend on what your weekly average was in the last weeks.
uʍop ǝpᴉsdn sǝʇᴉɹʍ ʇI
I followed the Pfitz 18/55 plan to a T. I didn't miss a single workout but I did change two or three runs during the last week. The taper was somewhat maddening because I had extra energy and I wanted to run. There were a few times when I had to FORCE myself to NOT go out to run. I also ate a lot during the taper but that was not a problem. The bad was the last three miles: pure torture. I had great advice on run strategy given to me by some RA legends and I followed it: First two miles 10 seconds slower that GMP, 18 miles at GMP, and the last six a slow progression. Mile 26 was the fastest of the lot and I BQ'd in my debut. There was no ugly to it and it was by far the highlight of my running life.
Looking back on your first marathon, do you think that your taper helped you or hurt you, do you think you could have done things smarter or less, or more? I want to hear it all - The Good, The Bad and yes, THE UGLY Also, does anybody else make a list of everything they need when going out of town for a race, normally something like 13.1 or longer?
I want to hear it all - The Good, The Bad and yes, THE UGLY
Also, does anybody else make a list of everything they need when going out of town for a race, normally something like 13.1 or longer?
Taper - My first was a trainwreck leading towards a Chernobyl meltdown. I only ran on 6 of 14 days. Much better is to keep the spirit of your normal training intact -- run the same number of days, do the same paces, just do considerably *less*, especially 4-5 days out.
Also bad - walking around doing tourist shit the day before. I was on my feet all day at the expo, the zoo, a brewpub. Now, the day before is a "hole up" day. Expo if necessary (packet and GTFO for me), perhaps a short shakeout jog, and nothing else. I focus on relaxing in my room, stuffing my face with carbs and liquids, and mentally preparing.
If a list makes you be organized, do it. I've also learned to avoid things that will cause undue stress, even if minor. For example, decide on which shoes you're racing in and do not bring a "maybe" pair. Bring your own pillow if you hate hotel pillows. Don't eat anything "new" or unusual the day before. Most of all, try not to be nervous. You are just running, something you've been doing extra lots of for the past few months.
You've got this.
1 - 7:44 2 - 7:27 3 - 7:13 4 - 7:14 5 - 7:14 6 - 7:14 7 - 7:12 8 - 7:19 9 - 7:26 10 - 7:09 11 - 7:14 12 - 7:14 13 - 7:09 14 - 7:06 15 - 7:11 16 - 7:12 17 - 7:05 18 - 7:15 19 - 7:20 20 - 7:24 21 - 7:33 22 - 7:33 23 - 7:21 24 - 7:16 25 - 7:17 26 - 6:57 26.2 - 7:07 pace
Total time 3:11:04. I'd been running about 2 1/2 years at that point. Mileage in the weeks leading up to the race:
60.2
62.1
50.8
65.3
74.2
52.2
42.1
22 miles not including the race
Short term goal: 17:59 5K
Mid term goal: 2:54:59 marathon
Long term goal: To say I've been a runner half my life. (I started running at age 45).
delicate flower
I ran my first marathon purely due to peer pressure. I had no business tackling the "training", the taper, or the race. I trained for an entire 8 weeks, averaging 34 mpw. But hey, I was READY!
The marathon went pretty much as you'd expect it to go, going from not being a runner to doing a marathon in eight months with little training. I was fine for 13 miles, got very tired miles 13-18, and death marched miles 18-26 while depleted and dehydrated. I positive split by like 30 minutes or something. Still a 4:15 finish was pretty damn respectable, all things considered.
I have no regrets and I am glad I was too stupid to know any better. As painful as it was, it hooked me.
<3
Lol, I love stories and experiences from others.
If a list makes you be organized, do it. I've also learned to avoid things that will cause undue stress, even if minor. For example, decide on which shoes you're racing in and do not bring a "maybe" pair. Bring your own pillow if you hate hotel pillows. Don't eat anything "new" or unusual the day before. Most of all, try not to be nervous. You are just running, something you've been doing extra lots of for the past few months. You've got this.
My first marathon was probably typical. I went out a little fast, faded at the end but learned a lot. I did BQ but it could have been a better executed race. It was pouring rain the first 9 miles so that sucked as well. I think every race is a learning experience and I always debate with myself on what I could have done differently, or "smarter".
Good advice from Jay above. I'll add...along with the shoes, pack what you want to race in and don't bring extras. Plan for cool and warm but really you just need one pair of shoes, one pair of socks, shorts (or capri's/skirt/etc), one warm weather top, one cool weather top....and so on. Take away the stress of "what do I wear" by only having one thing to wear. Granted you need to allow for weather but don't pack your closet.
One odd bit of advice that I now follow and learned the hard way....clip your toenails at least a couple days ahead of time. Why? To keep sharp things away from your body as any little accidental cut may become very uncomfortable at some point in a race.
Do not go nuts warming up before the race. Use the first mile or two to ease into MP. An article I passed along to a marathon class I coached this fall:
http://www.runnersworld.com/racing/what-the-elites-do-marathon-warm-up?cid=socRac_20140926_32282476
Stay off your feet as much as possible the day before. Doesn't mean you shouldn't go to the expo but the time for sightseeing is after the marathon. Like Jay wrote, eat what you normally eat. I like to start going heavier on the carbs 2-3 days before but other than that, nothing out of the norm.
As for tapering, I thought three weeks got to be too long after my third marathon and I have since adjusted. But for my first marathon I think it was about right and I was ready to go come race day. I had been battling some ITB soreness and the taper helped.
Stick with your plan and don't go out too fast. This is easier said than done and if you read enough race reports it happens more than you believe. Everyone knows it yet something happens to the brain and away they go. There will be people passing you in the first few miles that you will see later if you run a well-paced race. I guarantee it.