Woo!
You know, it's really tempting, but I don't know that I like the idea of running a big race in another city. It's nice to be able to be in your own house before (to relax) and after (for so many reasons) a big race. I think it'd be hard to relax all day Saturday and get some good sleep in if we are staying with friends.
Depends on the blister - just from new shoes? I generally wait until the new skin comes in under, then poke a hole with a pin and slap some neosporin in. Bandaid as the last step and you're good to go.
Yup. That's the beauty of it. Really looking forward to that race. Let me know if y'all decide to make the roadie for it. I'm going to be using that as part of my long distance day. I'll run the half-marathon and then essentially, keep going and run another 9 miles for a total of 22. That will be my long distnace run prior to the marathon.
Just a side note-- I've found it better to do the 'extra miles' before the race-- the end of a 22 miler is definitely where I need spectators/fluids/motivation. Unless the race starts at some ungodly hour. When I lived in NYC I used to do all of my long runs on the day that the New York Road Runners were holding their races in Central Park-- I'd go for a run and time it to get to the start line of the race. Those runs were definitely the most quality for me, anyway.
I agree with this sentiment but more for the reason that you will inherently want to finish the race strong, and cross the finish line strong, leaving not much left in the tank for 9 more miles. Many times I have finished a race with the intent on running another 5 or so miles after and once it's through I blow it off. Maybe that's just the competitive way I attack a race though. Rarely am I able to hold back and treat them as training runs. If I do, it'll be some sort of pace run, where I'll run the first 3-4 miles at a jog and then accelerate to marathon pace.
No first hand experience from me (my body can barely handle two in a year) but I run with a bunch of people run 5-6 competitively a year (3 in spring and 3 in fall - must be nice to make cash running). The key will be the following from what I've heard from them:
Pete Pfitinger's book Advanced Marathoning has a chapter on running marathons 12, 10, 8, 6, and 4 weeks apart including day by day schedules. He breaks each into recovery, build-up (when possible) and taper.
I'm preparing for the half marathon. I ran it in 2006 and it was cold! I remember passing the Hoyts at one point which was pretty cool. Of course they steamed past me on a downhill a mile later!
Tough to say if you're overdoing it without knowing the progression of your mileage. If you're following the 10% rule you should be ok. What intensity are you doing your running at? I've found I did better when I alternate the hard/easy days. If I do a long run/tempo run or interval workout one day I made sure the next day is either a rest day or an easy 3-4 mile run at about 60 seconds slower than marathon pace. It gives me a nice mental and physical break. Keep in mind that my first marathon I peaked at 39 miles per week and my second I got to 50. I recovered faster the 2nd time around because I had built up a better base.
I don't use the coolrunning one, I use the one from here: www.mapmyrun.com (I'm a dork and can't figure out how to link, but you get the idea...). Map my run is awesome, especially if you live somewhere with satellite, because you can fairly accurately map your off-street running...when I run on the Charles, I can map the sidewalks/paths I ran on.
I think http://www.runningahead.com/ has the same log as runner's world. I believe RW has some sort of partnership with runningahead. The guy at runnerahead will import your data from coolrunning. I'm considering getting my log uploaded to runningahead and trying them. I set up mapmyrun last night too (per SoxChick13) so I plan on testing that. In the meantime I'm still updating my CR log (and downloading the log everyday just in case).
Yah, I was afraid of that. That and the public viewing are huge losses for me - time to test other alternatives. At least the calendar year will make a nice smooth cut somewhere.
Get a "fuel belt" or some type of water bottle to carry with you. The best advice is to drink when you are thirsty. No need to stop for 90 sec, just pull it out and take a sip when thirst hits.
Personally, I don't see the need for a gel on a half marathon. I only use them on runs of over 20 miles. If you've eaten properly you should be fine.
That is an obscene starting time. I have read that the night of sleep 2 nights before the big race is more imporatant that the night before. SO get a good nights rest then. What I'd probably try to do is nap during the day (on the day before) thenjust get 3-4 hours before the race. I'd avoid taking any otc sleep meds as they can cause hydration issues.
This is all trial and error. Find out what doesn't upset your stomach on long runs. Carbs are the fastest to digest, and agree with me most. So pre-long run I eat a bagel with jelly and drink water. Its topping off my glycogen stores with another 300-350 calories which is useful.
In my two marathons I've walked through each water stop every 2 miles which burned 10-15 seconds. While training I have a belt with a 22oz bottle. If you're just looking to complete the race I'd go with a belt with your own water/gatorade bottle. As others have said make sure it is something you've trained with so you're sure it wont cause problems.
I've seen it suggested you can take them after 60 mins then every 40 mins after. If this is going to be the longest run of your life I'm guessing you could be on the course for 2+ hours and a gel might help. You can probably do the entire run without it, but if you try it in training and you find it helps then go for it. I remember trying them while training for my first marathon and I felt it gave me a big boost after taking one. I know some people who cant take them without signifigant stomach "issues". Myself I use the PowerGel plain with water. Try them on your long runs and see if it helps.
As others have mentioned get good rest the few days before the race. With the crazy schedule you're going to have you're going to need it. Why 2.5 hours before the start for a group picture? if you can get in a nap before you start to warm up that might be useful to kill some time and prevent the nervous energy from wiping you out.
Bagels and juice have worked for me. Have them at the group picture as this will make sure you get some food in and have enough time to get rid of any of it before the race starts.
Damn, structured workouts - I need to start doing that - Nice job! You've been reading Nate's journal entries too much
I read Casey's and Nate's journals every day now. Actually, I'm following the Pftiziger 30-50 mpw plan for the 15k/HM. Although I could probably make my own training schedule I like following a pro's advice. Each time I do a new plan I learn a bit more what works and what doesnt. He lays out paces to run the workouts by % heart rate max and % heart rate reserve. He gives guidance on the pace using race times.Damn, structured workouts - I need to start doing that - Nice job! You've been reading Nate's journal entries too much
Excellent work - this week has been the toughest week I can remember for training. Last Sunday I did 7 x 1 mile around my house - my neighbors thought I was completely nuts running in a snowstorm.
I remember I used to have shoulder pain at the end of long runs when I was hitting new PR for distance. By the time I had completed 4 or 5 16+ mile runs I had built up enough endurance and my body was used to being out for 2+ hours.
Running in a fleece jacket? You must be a puddle at the end of the run.
The clothes might have something to do with it, and posture as well. In my own experience (and my experience coaching track for a year), I've observed two things that lead to shoulder and back pain...these are just observations and I have no physiological science to back it up: 1. Upper body posture-- especially at the end of a long run, the 'dead bug' syndrome begins to occur...arms aren't as efficient, shoulders and arms lack motion and and begin to shrivel up a bit. I have issues with this, especially on hills toward the end of a run. Doing some light strengthening exercises for these areas help tremendously.
I HOPE to be up there. I gave myself an achilles strain for xmas so I've taken a couple of days off. Oh well - I needed a break
The cold doesn't bother me too much - after a few miles you warm up fine. It's the snow/slush/hail stuff that has really killed my outdoors running. I run at 6am so it's not too bad because there aren't that many vehicles on the road - even in the Davis Sq area, but you have to be careful running in the streets.
You're going to love this week then. Some of the streets around here are like running down hallways they are so narrow. I can only imagine what it's like in Davis Sq. Its is probably safer to run down the yellow line in the middle of the street. I had to climb a snowbank twice on my 13 mile run on Sat am just to be sure I'd complete the run. Looking forward to getting back to work so I can run along the Charles River so I dont have to dodge cars.
Well, luckily, my shower access at work is shutdown until MLK day, so I won't be running before work for a few weeks. I also was going to run today up in Salisbury but I had to run into Boston for work this morning - oh well...
Nice job - from the sounds of it, I'm glad I missed that race today. Drafting is definitely something that irks me from time to time. I'm relatively tall (5'11") and I always get people drafting me. On the other hand, I take the opportunity to draft whenever I can but I generally say 'hey I'll take it for a mile' or something along those lines.
Congrats! You'll probably suffer a bit for 6-12 weeks from less than optimal sleep. The first couple of weeks you'll probably spend getting a schedule that works for you and your wife with regards to sleeping, feeding, changing, etc. Actually, the first few weeks there is no etc, that's all they do. I bet you'll be surprised and you'll be able to get out to run more than you think. The time you run at may be different, though.
I thought I had a chance to be leading all SoSH Running Dogs in mileage for the year after doing 8.34 this morning. Not quite....I'll have to wait until 2009 now
