Got a marathon coming up? I hope these will help you!

Training tips:

#1) If this is your first marathon, make sure your goal is to finish (not your finishing time)

#2) Try to train in the morning if you can. This is when most races start. If you run at night, you will probably feel different on race day.

#3) Think: Long. Slow. Distance. Time on your feet. The goal is to get your body used to running for 3+ hours. Your long run should be around 20 miles. This could take you anywhere from 3-5 hours depending on your pace.

#4) Find a marathon training group. If you dread a long run, running with friends is key to a successful race.

#5) Test! This is the try out fluids, GU’s, shoes, clothes, gear, etc.

#6) Rest. Feeling tired? Cranky? Blah? Chances are you may need a little rest. Take a day or two off and you will come back stronger than ever!

Marathon Race Day tips

#1) Don’t change anything! This means no new shoes, clothes, food, fluids. Use the same things you have trained with. This is what training is for.

#2) Support. Have friends on the course. I usually recommend miles 18-24. Depending on the course, the last 2 miles are probably filled with fans, so they can cheer you to the finish!

#3) Placement. Please get in the right corral. If you aren’t running a 3 hour marathon, don’t get in the first corral. Your bib number should tell you where you should start.

#4) Early bird! Get to the race with time to spare. You don’t want to rush to the race.

#5) Start out slow. If it seems like other runners are rushing past you at lighting speed, that is probably a good thing. You want some mojo left at mile 24!

#6) Go with the flow. If this is your 1st marathon, just enjoy it, have fun, smile, run & finish. If this is your 10th, same thing apply’s:)

Photo by Zach Klein

OMG!!! I really did it! I had NO doubt in my mind that I would finish the race, but when I actually came around the corner, saw the finish line and crossed it, I was in shock. Releaved. Happy. Excited. No longer a 100 miler virgin. (Yes, I thought about writing that line the last 10 miles:)).

It will take a few posts to fully do justice to the increadable feat of running 100 miles in 24:58. For now, I am going to answer some questions.

Q: How many pairs of shoes & socks did you use? ~ Jen

A: I changed socks only once.  I believe around mile 45. And regrettably I wore the same shoes the whole time. If I run this distance again I will change shoes. My feet REALLY took a beating. Ouchie!

Q: Were you surprised how much pain set in after? ~ Erica

A: I will admit, yes I was. I am usually able to bounce back pretty quickly, but 100 miles is NO JOKE. After the excitement of finishing then I felt (and saw) how much damage I really did to myself. The pain was intense for sure.

Q: Why were you not able to swallow? ~ Erica

A: Good question. I am not entirely sure why (maybe a doctor can help me out on this one). I think it had something to do with my auto immune condition. I have had this issue many times before. I was really hoping that it would stay away though! I was forced to drink & eat. Just was hard to do:)

Q: How did you keep your mind busy while running? ~ Amanda

A: Yes, what do you think about for 25 hours- STRAIGHT??!! My first thought was to make it to each aid station. My second thought was to remind myself not to die. Third, thought about how many life’s I would reach with what I was doing. Fourth, I thought of what I would do when I would finish. Fifth,  I just got in a zone (especially the last 50 miles) and kept one foot in front. Six, I thought about new business ideas. Surprise, surprise. Seven, I thought of all the people encouraging me. And I think a lot more:)

Q: What support did you have? ~ Sue

A: I will go more into depth on this later, but I must say I owe my finishing to my AWESOME friend Gregg. He was at every aid station. He took such great care of me. From ice cold towels for my head/neck to making me fluids (and forcing them down me) to asking me what I needed, to helping bandage my feet to cheering me on AND to also staying up for 25+ hours!!!  Gregg, let me thank you right now. You made my race a success.

Q: What was the hardest part of the run? ~ Jeff

A: It was the miles during the day. They sucked. It was 95 degrees in South Dakota and a VERY dry heat. I think miles 30-50 were the toughest.

Q: Did you know the recovery was going to be this tough before you started? ~ Fred

A: HELL NO!!! And I am glad I didn’t! I would have still ran it, but would have known what to expect after the fact:)

Q: How did you begin to trust yourself re: knowing when & what to eat while on long trek? ~ Amy

A: I had to trust Gregg and I also knew that if I didn’t eat or drink it would be very tough for me to finish. This is also where my training came in. I trained with food and fluids, it was time to trust that it would get me through. I also had to  have faith to change things up when the currant plan wasn’t working.

Do you have a question? Let me know! I will be happy to answer them!’

Photo by Bast