Marathon

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Nov 04 2002 7:24 pm

Before I start exploring the running websites out there, I wanted to see if anybody here has run a marathon...I'm doing my first this March...and have a few questions....

Wiz · Post by **Wiz** » Nov 07 2002 6:29 am

Cindy Coons wrote:7 children

AUGH!!!

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » Nov 07 2002 11:36 am

They keep me out of trouble! :twisted:

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Nov 07 2002 1:53 pm

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, and the well wishes...I'm shooting for finishing, don't really care about the time...perhaps before nightfall? :roll:

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » Nov 07 2002 3:37 pm

Before nightfall is good.

Find a pace runner before the race that will be running to finish within your goal time. It helps to keep someone in sight. Good luck!

evenstarx3 · Post by **evenstarx3** » Nov 07 2002 3:49 pm

And don't pass the water stations without drinking!

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Nov 10 2002 8:35 pm

Cindy Coons wrote: Find a pace runner before the race that will be running to finish within your goal time. It helps to keep someone in sight. Good luck!

My wife gives me a hard time because my "pace runner" is usually...female, 19-25, in excellent shape and wearing shorts and a sports bra...though I do agree...it does help!

dnaelting · Post by **dnaelting** » Nov 10 2002 9:31 pm

Check out my brother's website, http://www.runninglink.com

My brother has run in 4 or 5 marathons now, last one was Chicago in October. The web site is for anyone interested in running information. You can also leave him an email through the web site.

I am thinking of running a marathon myself, but due to knee problems I will be doing a VERY slow build-up on mileage. I am targeting Jan 2004 for my first.

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » Nov 11 2002 10:50 am

Colin, You can't be too slow if your pace runner is a 19-25 year old female in excellent shape! :twisted: But as I always say, whatever works!

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » Nov 11 2002 4:23 pm

I checked out the runninglink website. Good info and very realistic training schedules. Thanks for the info.

Abe · Post by **Abe** » Nov 11 2002 4:42 pm

ck1 wrote: "pace runner" is usually...female, 19-25, in excellent shape and wearing shorts and a sports bra...though I do agree...it does help!

:twisted: I am afraid when I run a 10K or even a 5K, I let all those pace runners pass me up. I am in no hurry. On a serious note, 4.1 miles this afternoon ck1.

olesma · Post by **olesma** » Nov 16 2002 1:46 pm

evenstarx3 wrote:Just dawned on me....Olesma's working for BofA now! Hey Olesma.....you takin' up running yet

Just read this today. I haven't had a chance to visit the forum for about 2 weeks by my calendar. Things have gotten really crazy here lately. Good to be back a little. Probably still won't be posting or hiking in anything like a regular pattern till after the Thanksgiving weekend.

And for your information - no - I hate running. I lift at the gym to relieve the stress. 5 days a week when I have the time - I've been lucky to get in one a week the last few weeks.

Man - I'll be glad when December rolls around and my life returns to something resembling normal. Normal being a strictly subjective term....

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » Nov 16 2002 2:41 pm

I'll be looking for you at New Times tomorrow Colin! Good Luck!

26mi385 · Post by **26mi385** » Nov 16 2002 8:54 pm

Hi, all.

Just thought I'd throw in my $.02 worth.

I'm a "veteran" of four marathons now. I have learned lessons in each and every race I have run, and during the training for the races. Here is some of what I have learned:

Don't start too fast. My first marathon I thought I was running a slow pace at the start. The problem is, I didn't watch my pace according to my watch or the clocks set up on the course. I began the race at much too fast a pace and paid for it DEARLY in the end.

Don't skip the first few water stations because you aren't thirsty. Once you become thirsty it is too late to begin replenishing fluids. Again, you pay for this mistake in the end.

Run in a climat that suits you. I recently ran the 25th annual Chicago marathon. It was cold and windy, something I am not familiar with being from Arizona. The weather hurt my performance. My favorite race is the Rock n Roll Marathon in San Diego. The weather is much warmer and the race is a blast. Information for the race is available at http://www.rnrmarathon.com.

You can't fake your way through training and expect any sort of success in a marathon. Most training programs I have read suggest 16 to 18 weeks of training to prepare for a marathon. The miles gradually increase each week and top out with a long run (runs) of 20 miles. I have found through personal experience that I do better when my long training runs top out at 22 miles.

I find it necessary to keep my mind on something else when training, especially during long runs. Personally, I prefer to run while listening to music or talk radio. The miles seem to go by much quicker then.

Finally, enjoy the whole race experience. My first marathon was by far my slowest. I am extremely thankful that my brother ran next to me for the final 10 miles, or I may not have finished. But, crossing the finish line of your first marathon is an EXTREMELY rewarding experience! I got hooked once I finished race number one.

The days following the race can be painful. Going down stairs is no joy. One thing I have learned that aids recovery is soaking your legs in cool or cold water and getting a massage after the race. the cool to cold water inhibits swelling of your VERY fatigued muscles while the massage breaks up the lactic acid deposits in the legs. The result is cutting approximately 1-3 days off recovery time.

I hope these few comments help. I wish I had known this information prior to my first race. I am hoping to be able to update our running club's website to include information on marathons and on hiking, soon. Until then, you can still check out http://www.runninglink.com for SOME information.

Good luck to everyone training for an upcoming marathon and those who are running in the New Times 10K tomorrow!

Wiz · Post by **Wiz** » Nov 29 2002 7:25 am

Ck1,
How is the training regimen coming along? Keep us vicarious types up to date on what you're doing, maybe you can kick a few of our butts into getting back into running.

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Nov 30 2002 12:53 am

I've been running 3 days a week with a long run on Sunday...so far the training has been going pretty well, I like the flexibility of only running 3 days during the week...especially when life gets in the way of running...the sunday long run has been, thus far, great...we've used the cannals nearby...the longest run so far has only been 7 miles, but we did it at 10 min/miles, so I was happy...this Sunday is 9 miles...so far, my only concerns have been staying hydrated...

Thanks for the interest...I appreciate the support!

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » Nov 30 2002 6:13 am

Wear a hydration pack. I have one I wear around my waist. It's much more comfortable than on the back for running. Most inporant to me is to be properly hydrated before the runs. Nine miles on Sunday? Sounds like your right on track.

Glad to hear it's going so well.

jrbren · Post by **jrbren** » Dec 03 2002 10:27 pm

Hi,

I am new to this forum. Convenient I should stumble on this topic.

I am a runner from Vermont visiting Arizona for the first time to run
the Lost Dutchman Marathon on Jan 19, 2003. I was looking for a
winter marathon, and I like marathons with scenery. This claims
to be one on the web site. I have never been to the south west
aside from a San Diego trip several years ago and a Colorado hiking trip
~10 years ago.

I am also a hiker, so I am making a long weekend out of it and not
flyng home until Wednesday. That gives me 2 days to hike and
stretch out my legs after the run. Last spring I ran the Sugarloaf Marathon
in Maine and hiked nearby Bigelow Mt. the next day to keep loose. This
about a 10 mile hike with ~3K ft. elevation gain. LDM will be my 11th marathon
overall.

I am looking for 1 or 2 hikes within 2-3 hours drive or so of Phoenix that
would have 2-4K elevation gain and be about 8-12 miles long round trip.

I am an experienced hiker in New England(4 season day hiker) and have also done some solo
hiking in Washington state the past three summers.

Is Humphries peak reasonable ? I have gear to climb Mt Washington(NH) in Winter. Would I need crampons &/or snowshoes ? Would I want to bring a down jacket to go over my gortex
as they teach you on Mt Rainier in WA state ?

How about Kendrick Peak near Flagstaff ?

Any other suggestions ? I like the idea of Mts over Canyons becasue you do the
hard part first with Mts.

What critters would/should I need to worry about when hiking solo ? Rattle snakes, scorpions, Puma's, etc... There are none in the north east.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks and happy trails...

John B.

jrbren · Post by **jrbren** » Dec 03 2002 10:44 pm

Hi again,

Here is another website.

http://www.coolrunning.com/

If you go to there "Newbie" forum they have all sorts of support & advice.

Best of Luck,
John B.

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » Dec 04 2002 7:15 am

jrbren, welcome! When I was growing up in Illinois I always pictured myself living in Vermont. Phoenix is a far cry I'd say! Not sure how that happened, closest I came to that dream was residing shortly in Colorado Springs.

My daughter and I went to check out the course for the Lost Dutchman. I think you'll be pleased. I'm certainly looking forward to it. With your experience there are so many places you can hike the day after the race. I'm sure you will get plenty of ideas over the next few days. If your hike includes going up north and your interested in a partner pm me, I will need to do something also the next day to avoid adverse effects from the run. Again, welcome to HAZ.

jrbren · Post by **jrbren** » Dec 04 2002 7:58 pm

Hi Cindy,

Thanks for the welcome. I will let you know my bib number when it gets posted. I am not in the system yet but do have a valid receipt from "marathonguide.com".

I guess I also have to sign up fcor my local marathon memorial day weekend if I run it.
The Vermont City Marathon fills up earlier every year, this year the local paper is projecting a sell out before on-line registration opens up 12/15. Personally I do not think it is THAT good, but I may be spoiled since I run much of the course throughout the year. You should try it sometime if you like marathons and like Vermont, just sign up fast if you want 2003.

And I defineately would be interested in some hiking partners if you do not have to work that Monday and Tuesday and you are interested in the difficulty I describe above. I should add the question on Humphries peak (or any other for that matter) is how easy are they to follow if they are snow covered and the clouds & fog roll in. Do they have cairns like NH mountains ?
My map & compass is probably OK but given no formal training I hope I never put it the test in an emergency.

Enjoy your warm weather, I am getting over a cold and I think I will go for my morning run tomorrow for the first time since Sunday. It is supposed by ~10F with light winds, should be nice.
It is supposed to warm up into the 30's over the weekend.

Should I move my questions to a separate post so as not to devert the attention from the orginal question of this thread ?

By the way, I am originally from Michigan (Flint area), a fellow midwesterner !

John B.