Running my first marathon Sunday

[Bizwah]

I'm a little nervous. I got into the game a little late. I've really only trained about six weeks. I've been running about 3 miles a day for the last seven years. A buddy of mine convinced me I could run a marathon with him....I made it 16 miles, then cramped up. Then, I made it 18 miles....then cramped up.

I really hope I can do this. It should be a cool day (as opposed to the warmer days I cramped up on), and they'll have regular water/Powerade stations. I plan on taking jelly beans and Sportbloks.

Any advice? Should I avoid the Powerade? Should I walk?

I think 20 should be doable. I worry about the last 6.2 miles.

 

[a_minimalist]

I'm a little nervous. I got into the game a little late. I've really only trained about six weeks. I've been running about 3 miles a day for the last seven years. A buddy of mine convinced me I could run a marathon with him....I made it 16 miles, then cramped up. Then, I made it 18 miles....then cramped up.

I really hope I can do this. It should be a cool day (as opposed to the warmer days I cramped up on), and they'll have regular water/Powerade stations. I plan on taking jelly beans and Sportbloks.

Any advice? Should I avoid the Powerade? Should I walk?

I think 20 should be doable. I worry about the last 6.2 miles.

Hope you're not talking about the NYC marathon because that was cancelled.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Hope you're not talking about the NYC marathon because that was cancelled.

Yeah, a_minimalist is pooping all over the NYC Marathon. He will punch you in the teeth if you try to run it. :laugh2:

 

[Rack]

I'm a little nervous. I got into the game a little late. I've really only trained about six weeks. I've been running about 3 miles a day for the last seven years. A buddy of mine convinced me I could run a marathon with him....I made it 16 miles, then cramped up. Then, I made it 18 miles....then cramped up.

I really hope I can do this. It should be a cool day (as opposed to the warmer days I cramped up on), and they'll have regular water/Powerade stations. I plan on taking jelly beans and Sportbloks.

Any advice? Should I avoid the Powerade? Should I walk?

I think 20 should be doable. I worry about the last 6.2 miles.

My advice?

Drive or ride a bike...

 

[Hoofbite]

I'm a little nervous. I got into the game a little late. I've really only trained about six weeks. I've been running about 3 miles a day for the last seven years. A buddy of mine convinced me I could run a marathon with him....I made it 16 miles, then cramped up. Then, I made it 18 miles....then cramped up.

I really hope I can do this. It should be a cool day (as opposed to the warmer days I cramped up on), and they'll have regular water/Powerade stations. I plan on taking jelly beans and Sportbloks.

Any advice? Should I avoid the Powerade? Should I walk?

I think 20 should be doable. I worry about the last 6.2 miles.

What's with the 0.2?

 

[a_minimalist]

Yeah, a_minimalist is pooping all over the NYC Marathon. He will punch you in the teeth if you try to run it. :laugh2:

Correction, I won't be punching anyone in the teeth.

 

[Sarge]

What's with the 0.2?

6.2 is 10 kilometers - a typical measurement for runners.

 

[ctrous25]

good for you. I ran a half marathon a few weeks ago and that was hard enough I couldn't imagine doing a full one. good luck , I took ibuprofen and tylenol before the race that helped me

 

[Hoofbite]

6.2 is 10 kilometers - a typical measurement for runners.

Just thought it was funny. I doubt it's the 0.2 that's putting things into the worry zone........probably the 6.0

 

[Rogah]

I'm a little nervous. I got into the game a little late. I've really only trained about six weeks. I've been running about 3 miles a day for the last seven years. A buddy of mine convinced me I could run a marathon with him....I made it 16 miles, then cramped up. Then, I made it 18 miles....then cramped up.

I really hope I can do this. It should be a cool day (as opposed to the warmer days I cramped up on), and they'll have regular water/Powerade stations. I plan on taking jelly beans and Sportbloks.

Any advice? Should I avoid the Powerade? Should I walk?

I think 20 should be doable. I worry about the last 6.2 miles.

What you do is you get to the marathon early and stand on the sidelines at about the 20 mile mark, ready to cheer on runners. Then when the first guy passes, you wait about 30-45 minutes, then you just jump into the race and run the final 6 really strong.

(That's how Rosie Ruiz "won" the Boston Marathon about 30 years ago. I kid you not. They figured it out a couple hours later, but she got the whole crown coronation thing for a while.)

 

[Bizwah]

Well, I finished!

I felt pretty good. I made sure to drink at every station. I also brought some jelly beans and Sportbloks with me.

I didn't finish with a great time....I was a little disappointed. 4 hours 28 minutes. But this was my first one. I think I can do a lot better.

Maybe next time.

It was actually pretty fun. The last 6 miles weren't too bad. There were plenty of folks cheering. That made the time pass pretty quickly.

My son made sure to tell me exactly how many people finished ahead of me.

 

[Gemini Dolly]

Good for you.

I will be rooting you on as I lay on my couch eating cheetos.

 

[joseephuss]

Well, I finished!

I felt pretty good. I made sure to drink at every station. I also brought some jelly beans and Sportbloks with me.

I didn't finish with a great time....I was a little disappointed. 4 hours 28 minutes. But this was my first one. I think I can do a lot better.

Maybe next time.

It was actually pretty fun. The last 6 miles weren't too bad. There were plenty of folks cheering. That made the time pass pretty quickly.

My son made sure to tell me exactly how many people finished ahead of me.

Good job. Now you know what kind of training you will need to do for you next one to improve your time. Congrats.