Urgent help needed (Read 675 times)

I run the columbus marathon tomorrow and had to quck questions. Do you guys taking anything to help you sleep the night before a marathon like tylonel PM? Also, Sport Beans. I plan to eat these during the race. I want to take some every other mile to keep my energy level as consistent as possible. How many would you eat? I am thinking that I will eat 6 beans ever other mile. So I will end up eating one pack for every 5.5 miles. Does that sound right? Or should I just eat some every mile after say the first 3?

I wouldn't take anything to sleep either. Even if you don't sleep well it shouldn't hurt your performance too much, once you get going you'll feel OK. I PRed on almost no sleep at all. Go figure! Sport Beans--if you haven't used them in training, you probably shouldn't in the race. At any rate, figure 200 calories per hour MAX. If you run 4 hours, that would be 8 packs maximum, but if you're also drinking a sports drink you would have to include that in your calorie total. I would err on the side of less, since too much might give you a stomach ache or make you sick, which is much worse than a calorie deficit. So, your plan of one pack per 5 1/2 miles is in the ballpark. Eat them whenever is most comfortable for you, it's not an exact science. Good luck and let us know how it went!

Eat them whenever is most comfortable for you, it's not an exact science.

Perfessers get to be perfessers cuz they're wise. I think everybody's a little different (except me, I'm a LOT different...) so you have to go with whatever has worked for you. I absolutely love Sport Beans because I can easily ration them during a race and have a gradual constant refueling process. I ran the course last week at long run pace with two packs, and that was probably a little light. I ran a 23 miler a couple of weeks before with three packs and until I started working through them they had my pockets flying to and fro which was a royal pain in the ass. For my race, I'm going to open the packs and fill two of them with as many beans from a third packet as I can fit. I'll just tape the tops down, and that will make it easier to open them when the time comes. Can't remember who on RA suggested that, but THANKS. I run/walk in 6/1 minute ratio and eat two or three beans at each walk break after about mile 8. I figure running out at any point after about mile 20 or so is OK, because anything you eat after that is probably not going to get processed in time to help you before the finish. As for sleeping, this is from Jeff Galloway the guy whose run/walk program I use:

You may sleep well, or you may not. Don't worry about it if you don't sleep at all. Many runners I work with don't sleep at all the night before and have the best race of their lives. Of course, don't try to go sleepless...but if it happens, it's not usually a problem.

I like his program, and can't say that he has steered me wrong yet. Deep breath, and repeat Daddyo's siggie over and over: The Marathon Race itself, is the victory lap. The real marathon is the training you do to get there. You've put in the time and miles, and you're ready to do this thing. Kick ass my friend, can't wait for the report. Modified to add: more marathon tips from Galloway at http://www.active.com/running/Articles/How_to_Run_Your_First_Marathon.htm

No sleeping aids. It is now too late, but it is best to try to get your sleep two nights before since nobody sleeps the night before the race. I don't like the sports beans, so I cannot guide you.

Just one more thing, maybe it's too late, but Mary Ann wanted me to add... Stay well-hydrated throughout the night but stop drinking an hour before the race. That way you won't be spending too much time in the portajohns...