RunningAHEAD - Topic: The last 5 miles of a marathon

Econo

posted: 9/21/2008 at 8:03 PM

The thread on "training through racing pain" has me thinking about the last 5 miles of the marathon. For all my HTFU bravado at shorter distances, I think I lose that confidence to push through in a marathon. I give up and "just don't walk." My pace slows by more than a minute per mile. What are some of your tricks for gutting out the last 5? I'm looking for mental tricks, as my taper starts today (no more longlong runs).

Run To Win

#2867

posted: 9/21/2008 at 8:39 PM
modified: 9/21/2008 at 8:40 PM

I try to pass as many people as I can, and prevent as many people as I can from passing me. I look up, pick somebody out, and just concentrate on running them down. Once past, I find a new target. Now and then they run away from me, but usually they either pull me along or I catch and pass them, preferably the latter. By concentrating on them, I can ignore the rest of it. If they aren't too far ahead of me, I might even get some draft bonus out of it, although usually by the time I'm that close I don't have much time directly behind them.

Run to Win
25 Marathons, 17 Ultras, 16 States (Full List)

Marathon Peach

Cause I CAN

posted: 9/21/2008 at 8:42 PM

also wants to know this answer Dead

Liver Transplant - July 2, 1991
http://terri7291.blogspot.com/

Bugs

posted: 9/21/2008 at 10:10 PM

I'm a mid-packer and I too pick people out. Upsets me when the person I'm racing starts to walk. Smile

Pick somebody dressed interesting like a "Jeasus Love You" or a "For Mom" sign on their back. If you're not walking that's pretty good. I swear if you start walking at mile 20 you will walk many more times. Don't listen when your legs try to tell you, "Lets just walk this one time". My mind plays tricks on me, like "I told DH that I'd finish in four hours and if I'm there he'll be upset." My first I had the kids dressed warm and was so worried they were too hot waiting for me to finish.

Bugs

Marathon Peach

Cause I CAN

posted: 9/22/2008 at 8:15 AM

My problem wasnt NOT walking during marathon, it was not being able to walk AFTER the marathon Big grin

Liver Transplant - July 2, 1991
http://terri7291.blogspot.com/

NateFromRI

posted: 9/22/2008 at 8:26 AM

In my first marathon, I just reminded myself how disappointed I'd be later if I walked now. I also thought back a few weeks to a long run where I felt I needed to walk for a minute... then never got started again. Keeping those things in mind was enough to keep my legs going. I want to try the pick-off idea in my upcoming marathon... sounds like fun!

-------------------------------------
5K - 18:25 - 3/19/11
10K - 39:38 - 12/13/09
1/2 - 1:29:38 - 5/30/10
Full - 3:45:40 - 5/27/07

mamaofthree

Best Present Ever

posted: 9/22/2008 at 9:05 AM

I thought of it like labor (this doesn't work very well for men nor women who haven't given birth of course). That otherworldly feel of floating in pain and feeling somewhat dissociated, and knowing that my body could do unexpected things... A medal isn't *quite* like a baby of course, so the analogy doesn't work completely.

Marathon Peach

Cause I CAN

posted: 9/22/2008 at 9:56 AM

being of the child free, I'd rather have the medal...it wont wake me up in the middle of the night Smile

Liver Transplant - July 2, 1991
http://terri7291.blogspot.com/

sparky_

posted: 9/22/2008 at 10:11 AM

Just tell yourself this over and over: "Slower, older, less-prepared, and more out of shape people have done this before." Smile

kcam

posted: 9/22/2008 at 10:53 AM
modified: 9/22/2008 at 10:53 AM

When I'm 'done' at the end of a marathon and my pace begins to drop I concentrate on maintaining my cadence at ~~180~~ whatever it was before I got tired. I shorten my stride length as much as I have to to maintain stride rate. Means slowing down but I can sometimes avoid going into that plodding shuffle that usually spirals into walking.

mamaofthree

Best Present Ever

posted: 9/22/2008 at 11:14 AM

Quote from Marathon Peach on 9/22/2008 at 9:56 AM:

being of the child free, I'd rather have the medal...it wont wake me up in the middle of the night

Yes, but it also won't say how fast you are in awed tons, or believe that you "won" the race despite 1000s finishing ahead of you ....

Marathon Peach

Cause I CAN

posted: 9/22/2008 at 12:04 PM

Quote from mamaofthree on 9/22/2008 at 11:14 AM:

Yes, but it also won't say how fast you are in awed tons, or believe that you "won" the race despite 1000s finishing ahead of you ....

Maybe I am not looking for any of that....

Liver Transplant - July 2, 1991
http://terri7291.blogspot.com/

Teresadfp

One day at a time

posted: 9/22/2008 at 12:07 PM
modified: 9/22/2008 at 1:26 PM

Quote from mamaofthree on 9/22/2008 at 11:14 AM:

Yes, but it also won't say how fast you are in awed tons, or believe that you "won" the race despite 1000s finishing ahead of you ....

or tell you sincerely, as DS16 did, that although I finished 77th out of 85 in my AG in yesterday's HM, that if I train sufficiently, I will eventually win my AG! Big grin

I take that to mean he thinks I will be running until I'm 90 or so.

Jeff

Why is it sideways?

posted: 9/22/2008 at 12:11 PM

Quote from Marathon Peach on 9/22/2008 at 12:04 PM:

Maybe I am not looking for any of that....

Seems to me you're looking for an internet fight. Chill. No one disrespected 6:06 marathoners or childless people. Folks were talking about what motivates them, not about what should might, or oughta motivate you.

Ben_1415

Hey, nice marmot!

posted: 9/22/2008 at 12:18 PM

Quote from Teresadfp on 9/22/2008 at 12:07 PM:

I take that to mean he thinks I will be running until I'm 90 or so.

Hey! Don't knock that strategy! I plan to one day totally dominate the 100+ age group. Then again, I'm pretty sure that's the only way I'd ever win an AG, but I'd take it.

Ben

"The world is my country, science is my religion."-- Christiaan Huygens

The last 5 miles of a marathon (Read 1303 times)