Tips for a ROOKIE REGISTERED for a FULL MARATHON

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Replies

  • Chimis_Siq
    Chimis_Siq Posts: 849 Member
    I personally... have never run a marathon.... (hope to someday... but I'm not there yet) but I run almost everyday and have completed 4 5K's... so just from a "runner" to a "Non-runner" advice.... get a good running app to help you with the distance... and get good music. You won't believe how having the right tempo music will keep you going. I like rockmyrun... and I use runmeter but most people on here prefer runkeeper, I think. Get OUTSIDE and run. The biggest mistake you can make is training on a treadmill indoors with no hills in the perfect temperature. Get a good running outfit (before your race) so you can make sure you're comfortable. Last but not least, take a few days off before the race where you don't run at all so you're all rested up.

    For long distances: being comfortable, not being distracted, being rested are all good preparations. You won't enjoy it if you're too busy fussing with headphones that always fall out (as someone else said) or if your shorts ride up or whatever... just test everything out before the big day.

    Good luck!
    tHANK YOU SO MUCH!
  • TAsunder
    TAsunder Posts: 423 Member
    Yoga is quite difficult. I was surprised by this when I took it for the first time. I've taken maybe 30-40 classes and still find many poses difficult to hold.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Yoga is quite difficult. I was surprised by this when I took it for the first time. I've taken maybe 30-40 classes and still find many poses difficult to hold.

    Agreed. I went to a my first and second yoga lessons with my wife last week. I was very surprised by how much of a sweat I broke. And I'm no slouch when it comes to working out.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Yoga is quite difficult. I was surprised by this when I took it for the first time. I've taken maybe 30-40 classes and still find many poses difficult to hold.

    It never really gets easy. I'm still a beginner, but the more I learn about it, the more I realize that there are deeper challenges. I find Mountain Pose pretty intense now.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Yoga is quite difficult. I was surprised by this when I took it for the first time. I've taken maybe 30-40 classes and still find many poses difficult to hold.

    It never really gets easy. I'm still a beginner, but the more I learn about it, the more I realize that there are deeper challenges. I find Mountain Pose pretty intense now.

    I figure it's like cycling. It never gets any easier, you just go faster, further and higher.
  • Chimis_Siq
    Chimis_Siq Posts: 849 Member
    Yoga is quite difficult. I was surprised by this when I took it for the first time. I've taken maybe 30-40 classes and still find many poses difficult to hold.

    It never really gets easy. I'm still a beginner, but the more I learn about it, the more I realize that there are deeper challenges. I find Mountain Pose pretty intense now.

    I figure it's like cycling. It never gets any easier, you just go faster, further and higher.

    Even the Upward dog ws hard for me..then they did upward dog and held up one leg up in the air...almost died on that one. lol
  • mojohowitz
    mojohowitz Posts: 900 Member
    I've only run one marathon and a handful of half's so I may not be as well prepared to speak as some, but I would recommend...
    1. Stick to a training plan.
    2. Get fitted for shoes by a running specialist at a running store. Not a high school kid at Finish Line.
    3. Keep your intentions relatively private. People laughed at my fat self when I mentioned doing a 5k. Initially it fueled my resolve but over time it was just disheartening.
    4. Take all advice with a grain of salt. The world is full of unqualified know-it-alls like myself.
    5. Learn to distinguish between discomfort and pain. Pain means stop.
    6. Take an online Myers Briggs personality test to find out what really motivates you. I'm an INFP which places me somewhere in the realm of the Zen runner. It's more for the meditation. The analytical runners I know are motivated by seeing the math of metabolism, mechanics of kinesiology and tracking their improvements in time and distance. Take with a grain of salt.
    7. Well-placed band-aids or nurse's tape will protect sensitive regions of the upper torso on humid days.
    8. Identify what is troubling you on those low performing days. Is it mental, your legs or your lungs?
    9. Dont' be surprised when your deltoids and elbows start nagging on the long runs.
    10. Don't place too much pressure on yourself. Its a marathon. 3 billion people on this planet struggle to eat everyday. No one is going to get overly concerned if it doesn't happen. Neither should you. But if it does you will be one of the 1%.
    11. Do lots of homework on long distance running.
  • Chimis_Siq
    Chimis_Siq Posts: 849 Member
    I've only run one marathon and a handful of half's so I may not be as well prepared to speak as some, but I would recommend...
    1. Stick to a training plan.
    2. Get fitted for shoes by a running specialist at a running store. Not a high school kid at Finish Line.
    3. Keep your intentions relatively private. People laughed at my fat self when I mentioned doing a 5k. Initially it fueled my resolve but over time it was just disheartening.
    4. Take all advice with a grain of salt. The world is full of unqualified know-it-alls like myself.
    5. Learn to distinguish between discomfort and pain. Pain means stop.
    6. Take an online Myers Briggs personality test to find out what really motivates you. I'm an INFP which places me somewhere in the realm of the Zen runner. It's more for the meditation. The analytical runners I know are motivated by seeing the math of metabolism, mechanics of kinesiology and tracking their improvements in time and distance. Take with a grain of salt.
    7. Well-placed band-aids or nurse's tape will protect sensitive regions of the upper torso on humid days.
    8. Identify what is troubling you on those low performing days. Is it mental, your legs or your lungs?
    9. Dont' be surprised when your deltoids and elbows start nagging on the long runs.
    10. Don't place too much pressure on yourself. Its a marathon. 3 billion people on this planet struggle to eat everyday. No one is going to get overly concerned if it doesn't happen. Neither should you. But if it does you will be one of the 1%.
    11. Do lots of homework on long distance running.

    You are definitely right! I never even have heard of this personality test. I just took it. Im known as deep, complex,and have an innate ability to understand other peoples feelings.

    Sounds about right. It was actually pretty dead on. I like #10!

    I have been doing homework 24/7 since I made this decision....I guess itmay be normal. :) Thanks again!
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jshhe1931/72/1/72_1_15/_pdf

    I'm an INTJ, so this statement was interesting:

    According to this study, middle-aged American distance runners tend to be more introverted (I) than extroverted (E) and exhibit
    thinking (T) more than feeling (F), and judging (J) more than perceiving (P)

    So I_TJ is common among American distance runners.
  • Chimis_Siq
    Chimis_Siq Posts: 849 Member
    https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jshhe1931/72/1/72_1_15/_pdf

    I'm an INTJ, so this statement was interesting:

    According to this study, middle-aged American distance runners tend to be more introverted (I) than extroverted (E) and exhibit
    thinking (T) more than feeling (F), and judging (J) more than perceiving (P)

    So I_TJ is common among American distance runners.

    I was an INTJ also
  • Erica262
    Erica262 Posts: 226 Member
    I'm an INTJ also! this explains so much :smile:
  • itodd4019
    itodd4019 Posts: 340 Member

    why can't I stay out of this thread-- oh yeah, because I care :)

    this is the plan, make sure and read the "key"

    do not go over

    if you miss a run, let it go, no making up runs allowed

    smilers finish
  • Chimis_Siq
    Chimis_Siq Posts: 849 Member

    why can't I stay out of this thread-- oh yeah, because I care :)

    this is the plan, make sure and read the "key"

    do not go over

    if you miss a run, let it go, no making up runs allowed

    smilers finish

    What do you think about the Hal Higdon 30 week Marathon plan..Even the Novice 1 18 week plan looks good..????

    I have seen this one before ande everyone may harp on me for saying this BUT this plan looks just as hard trying to figure out what the heck to do..lol I like simple. I know I know...go ahead and roll your eyes :) HEHE>
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member

    why can't I stay out of this thread-- oh yeah, because I care :)

    this is the plan, make sure and read the "key"

    do not go over

    if you miss a run, let it go, no making up runs allowed

    smilers finish

    What do you think about the Hal Higdon 30 week Marathon plan..Even the Novice 1 18 week plan looks good..????

    I have seen this one before ande everyone may harp on me for saying this BUT this plan looks just as hard trying to figure out what the heck to do..lol I like simple. I know I know...go ahead and roll your eyes :) HEHE>

    It was touched on before, but Galloway is really the way to go for you. Most of the other plans, including Higdon, assume a level of aerobic conditioning that you simply don't have yet and might not have by the time you'd start it.
  • Chimis_Siq
    Chimis_Siq Posts: 849 Member

    why can't I stay out of this thread-- oh yeah, because I care :)

    this is the plan, make sure and read the "key"

    do not go over

    if you miss a run, let it go, no making up runs allowed

    smilers finish

    What do you think about the Hal Higdon 30 week Marathon plan..Even the Novice 1 18 week plan looks good..????

    I have seen this one before ande everyone may harp on me for saying this BUT this plan looks just as hard trying to figure out what the heck to do..lol I like simple. I know I know...go ahead and roll your eyes :) HEHE>

    It was touched on before, but Galloway is really the way to go for you. Most of the other plans, including Higdon, assume a level of aerobic conditioning that you simply don't have yet and might not have by the time you'd start it.

    It says if I can run 3 miles 3-5x a week thats recommended...that doesnt seem impossible....esp since I have until about December to get up to that... Ill re-eval right after the c25k program is done..
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    :laugh:

    I caught up on this thread. Then saw this.


    tumblr_n7rcygZT0R1tc3pr9o1_400.jpg
  • I fell into ENTP, although interesting that my 'E' was favored by 1% and so was my 'T', so the test said I should review INFP as well...

    Edited because I didn't get my letters straight!
  • :laugh:

    I caught up on this thread. Then saw this.


    tumblr_n7rcygZT0R1tc3pr9o1_400.jpg

    Well hell, why don't I fall into the 'speeding' category??? WHAH!! :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad:

    Think I can use this as an excuse next time I am pulled over??? How about with the judge??
  • snikkins
    snikkins Posts: 1,282 Member

    why can't I stay out of this thread-- oh yeah, because I care :)

    this is the plan, make sure and read the "key"

    do not go over

    if you miss a run, let it go, no making up runs allowed

    smilers finish

    What do you think about the Hal Higdon 30 week Marathon plan..Even the Novice 1 18 week plan looks good..????

    I have seen this one before ande everyone may harp on me for saying this BUT this plan looks just as hard trying to figure out what the heck to do..lol I like simple. I know I know...go ahead and roll your eyes :) HEHE>

    It was touched on before, but Galloway is really the way to go for you. Most of the other plans, including Higdon, assume a level of aerobic conditioning that you simply don't have yet and might not have by the time you'd start it.

    It says if I can run 3 miles 3-5x a week thats recommended...that doesnt seem impossible....esp since I have until about December to get up to that... Ill re-eval right after the c25k program is done..

    I'm unsure what exactly is confusing you about the Hal Higdon programs, but I've been using his programs for training, first the half and now the full. I like them and I'm still a newer-ish runner.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member

    why can't I stay out of this thread-- oh yeah, because I care :)

    this is the plan, make sure and read the "key"

    do not go over

    if you miss a run, let it go, no making up runs allowed

    smilers finish

    What do you think about the Hal Higdon 30 week Marathon plan..Even the Novice 1 18 week plan looks good..????

    I have seen this one before ande everyone may harp on me for saying this BUT this plan looks just as hard trying to figure out what the heck to do..lol I like simple. I know I know...go ahead and roll your eyes :) HEHE>

    It was touched on before, but Galloway is really the way to go for you. Most of the other plans, including Higdon, assume a level of aerobic conditioning that you simply don't have yet and might not have by the time you'd start it.

    It says if I can run 3 miles 3-5x a week thats recommended...that doesnt seem impossible....esp since I have until about December to get up to that... Ill re-eval right after the c25k program is done..

    If you need help figuring out Hal, lemme know. I've used his plan and read his book.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member

    why can't I stay out of this thread-- oh yeah, because I care :)

    this is the plan, make sure and read the "key"

    do not go over

    if you miss a run, let it go, no making up runs allowed

    smilers finish

    What do you think about the Hal Higdon 30 week Marathon plan..Even the Novice 1 18 week plan looks good..????

    I have seen this one before ande everyone may harp on me for saying this BUT this plan looks just as hard trying to figure out what the heck to do..lol I like simple. I know I know...go ahead and roll your eyes :) HEHE>

    It's actually really straightforward. Sit down with a wall calendar, figure out your long run day and write in the workouts on the right days. Every day, look at the workout you have scheduled that day and do it. Once you start writing everything in, you'll get a feel for the plan.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member

    why can't I stay out of this thread-- oh yeah, because I care :)

    this is the plan, make sure and read the "key"

    do not go over

    if you miss a run, let it go, no making up runs allowed

    smilers finish

    What do you think about the Hal Higdon 30 week Marathon plan..Even the Novice 1 18 week plan looks good..????

    I have seen this one before ande everyone may harp on me for saying this BUT this plan looks just as hard trying to figure out what the heck to do..lol I like simple. I know I know...go ahead and roll your eyes :) HEHE>

    It was touched on before, but Galloway is really the way to go for you. Most of the other plans, including Higdon, assume a level of aerobic conditioning that you simply don't have yet and might not have by the time you'd start it.

    It says if I can run 3 miles 3-5x a week thats recommended...that doesnt seem impossible....esp since I have until about December to get up to that... Ill re-eval right after the c25k program is done..

    It the running five times a week and being able to recover that's the issue. You'll definitely be able to run three miles
  • itodd4019
    itodd4019 Posts: 340 Member
    the thing as a new runner is your illiotibial muscle and band. IT Syndrom. This is the muscle in your butt cheek that lifts your knee when you run. It pulls up, it is a faitly small muscle, with a long band that goes down the outside of your leg and attaches at the knee. This is an intricate muscle,, band, and soft tissue. It also has great power over knee alignment.

    When you run "continuously" that muscle will swell with acid and start to lose performance. Since your whole body is involved in the run, you have alot going on and that IT gets tired first. BUT- you are trying to breath, and pay much more attention to feet, calves, shins and such.

    Next thing ya know- you have a knee wabble, and are out a few weeks, maybe even a month.

    SO- the run/walk allows that muscle to recover, over and over, during your effort, or distance.

    Planning to run/walk 26 times is a WAAAAAAAY more doable thing, than even planning to run 6 "continuous" straight miles.

    you are new
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Discussing the issue of IT Band syndrome is definitely a good idea, but there is some misinformation here that I'll try to clear up.
    the thing as a new runner is your illiotibial muscle and band. IT Syndrom. This is the muscle in your butt cheek that lifts your knee when you run. It pulls up, it is a faitly small muscle, with a long band that goes down the outside of your leg and attaches at the knee. This is an intricate muscle,, band, and soft tissue. It also has great power over knee alignment.
    There is no IT muscle or IT Band muscle. There is only the Iliotibial Band which is thick tendon that is attached to the glute muscle, runs along the outside of the thigh and connects to the outside of the tibia. It does have an impact on knee alignment.
    When you run "continuously" that muscle will swell with acid and start to lose performance. Since your whole body is involved in the run, you have alot going on and that IT gets tired first. BUT- you are trying to breath, and pay much more attention to feet, calves, shins and such.

    Next thing ya know- you have a knee wabble, and are out a few weeks, maybe even a month.
    Not exactly. As above, it's not a muscle and it doesn't swell with acid. The IT Band becomes inflamed and irritated from overuse. It commonly manifests itself as pain on the outside of the knee. This is because the IT Band rubs across an nerve in that spot. It sometimes will cause discomfort in the hip or glutes. This is because of the inflammation.

    IT Band Syndrome can also be caused by running on an uneven road surface, like the canted edge of a paved road, and from running in the wrong shoe. Another good reason to get properly fitted.

    Here is my blog post about IT Band syndrome and how to prevent and recover from it.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/CarsonRuns

    Overuse injuries are not necessarily going to be avoided by using run/walk intervals. It's still possible to have overuse in this case. Walk intervals do not provide muscle and connective tissue recover. Rest does that. What run/walk intervals do allow you to do is go further than your aerobic capacity would allow you to go had you tried to run only.
  • itodd4019
    itodd4019 Posts: 340 Member
    thanks for the help there

    walking definitely gives the that "spot" in your butt cheek a rest. When you don't have to lift your knee your glute (or whatever) gets to relax for a bit, and it doe's recover (or whatever)

    I don't know science, but I know about running

    run with a new runner, let them run for a bit, and then poke your finger n their butt, and they will hit the roof, let them walk a bit, and it goes away

    haha
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    run with a new runner, let them run for a bit, and then poke your finger n their butt, and they will hit the roof, let them walk a bit, and it goes away

    Sounds kinky, but I'll try anything once.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    thanks for the help there

    walking definitely gives the that "spot" in your butt cheek a rest. When you don't have to lift your knee your glute (or whatever) gets to relax for a bit, and it doe's recover (or whatever)

    I don't know science, but I know about running

    run with a new runner, let them run for a bit, and then poke your finger n their butt, and they will hit the roof, let them walk a bit, and it goes away

    haha

    Ummm...are we really talking about running here?
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Discussing the issue of IT Band syndrome is definitely a good idea, but there is some misinformation here that I'll try to clear up.
    the thing as a new runner is your illiotibial muscle and band. IT Syndrom. This is the muscle in your butt cheek that lifts your knee when you run. It pulls up, it is a faitly small muscle, with a long band that goes down the outside of your leg and attaches at the knee. This is an intricate muscle,, band, and soft tissue. It also has great power over knee alignment.
    There is no IT muscle or IT Band muscle. There is only the Iliotibial Band which is thick tendon that is attached to the glute muscle, runs along the outside of the thigh and connects to the outside of the tibia. It does have an impact on knee alignment.
    When you run "continuously" that muscle will swell with acid and start to lose performance. Since your whole body is involved in the run, you have alot going on and that IT gets tired first. BUT- you are trying to breath, and pay much more attention to feet, calves, shins and such.

    Next thing ya know- you have a knee wabble, and are out a few weeks, maybe even a month.
    Not exactly. As above, it's not a muscle and it doesn't swell with acid. The IT Band becomes inflamed and irritated from overuse. It commonly manifests itself as pain on the outside of the knee. This is because the IT Band rubs across an nerve in that spot. It sometimes will cause discomfort in the hip or glutes. This is because of the inflammation.

    IT Band Syndrome can also be caused by running on an uneven road surface, like the canted edge of a paved road, and from running in the wrong shoe. Another good reason to get properly fitted.

    Here is my blog post about IT Band syndrome and how to prevent and recover from it.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/CarsonRuns

    Overuse injuries are not necessarily going to be avoided by using run/walk intervals. It's still possible to have overuse in this case. Walk intervals do not provide muscle and connective tissue recover. Rest does that. What run/walk intervals do allow you to do is go further than your aerobic capacity would allow you to go had you tried to run only.

    Let's nobody mess up this thread until I can copy Carson's blog address
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    Discussing the issue of IT Band syndrome is definitely a good idea, but there is some misinformation here that I'll try to clear up.
    the thing as a new runner is your illiotibial muscle and band. IT Syndrom. This is the muscle in your butt cheek that lifts your knee when you run. It pulls up, it is a faitly small muscle, with a long band that goes down the outside of your leg and attaches at the knee. This is an intricate muscle,, band, and soft tissue. It also has great power over knee alignment.
    There is no IT muscle or IT Band muscle. There is only the Iliotibial Band which is thick tendon that is attached to the glute muscle, runs along the outside of the thigh and connects to the outside of the tibia. It does have an impact on knee alignment.
    When you run "continuously" that muscle will swell with acid and start to lose performance. Since your whole body is involved in the run, you have alot going on and that IT gets tired first. BUT- you are trying to breath, and pay much more attention to feet, calves, shins and such.

    Next thing ya know- you have a knee wabble, and are out a few weeks, maybe even a month.
    Not exactly. As above, it's not a muscle and it doesn't swell with acid. The IT Band becomes inflamed and irritated from overuse. It commonly manifests itself as pain on the outside of the knee. This is because the IT Band rubs across an nerve in that spot. It sometimes will cause discomfort in the hip or glutes. This is because of the inflammation.

    IT Band Syndrome can also be caused by running on an uneven road surface, like the canted edge of a paved road, and from running in the wrong shoe. Another good reason to get properly fitted.

    Here is my blog post about IT Band syndrome and how to prevent and recover from it.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/CarsonRuns

    Overuse injuries are not necessarily going to be avoided by using run/walk intervals. It's still possible to have overuse in this case. Walk intervals do not provide muscle and connective tissue recover. Rest does that. What run/walk intervals do allow you to do is go further than your aerobic capacity would allow you to go had you tried to run only.

    Let's nobody mess up this thread until I can copy Carson's blog address

    Wouldn't you have been able to do that in less time than it took you to make this post?


    Never argue running with Carson. It just makes you look ignorant.

    TIL that Carson's opinions on running are infallible.

    Also, your post makes you look a little fangirlish.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    thanks for the help there

    walking definitely gives the that "spot" in your butt cheek a rest. When you don't have to lift your knee your glute (or whatever) gets to relax for a bit, and it doe's recover (or whatever)

    I don't know science, but I know about running

    run with a new runner, let them run for a bit, and then poke your finger n their butt, and they will hit the roof, let them walk a bit, and it goes away

    haha

    Dafuq?