Tips for a ROOKIE REGISTERED for a FULL MARATHON

So yeah. I did it. lol..Im running a FULL marathon MAY 2015. I cant run. Well maybe for 30 seconds.

I did it because in 6 days I will have had 1 yr on this fitness journey. Ive come leaps and bounds. Long story short..I was immobile at 272 lbs a year ago to now being active, almost 50 lbs lighter, and ALIVE! Sorry Im also 29!

SO to reward myself for my year, Ive registered for a FULL Marathon. Im a rookie. I know the road is going to be long, but I got this! (I think ..lol).

Any tips for a first time Marathoner would be amzing! Something that you learned doing yours that noone told you. I want the good the bad and the ugly. Female advice also greatly appreciated for obvious reasons.

HELP skinny at heart person out!

Hellllloooo first and foremost welcome to the grind!

I am running my 6th marathon in the fall and each time I learn something new.

For my first marathon, I followed Nike's 16 week training schedule to a Tee. Didn't miss a beat. That being said, there are a lot of marathon plans out there and you need to find what works for you. Every year, I end up finding one that I like the looks of and now tweak it. Training doesn't typically start until 16 weeks out, but as you said in your initial post you can't run right now. 26.2 is a realllly looong waaays to go not knowing if you even like distance running. I'm not going to discourage as I think this is great but I suggest you start some mild training now. Get your distance up to about 6 miles. Most training plans assume you can run that and factor that in to their 16 week plans. If this is something you really want to do, its not impossible - it will take a lot of work leading up to February, before actual training starts. That all being said, things I think you should know:

* Running is a mental game. Somedays you will love it, other days you will hate it. Some runs will be amazing and others won't. You need to be able to decipher for yourself these days and not allow them to get you down. Find yourself a running mantra for the tough days. Mine is, "One day you will no longer be able to do this, today is NOT that day" There are tons out there and all you need to do is to google.

*Running is personal. Determine within yourself why you want to do this and write those reasons down and have the list readily available for times when you question it. Try not to look at your runs as work but rather release. I get some of my best ideas on a run. But know running is the one place you can go and that moment will be all yours.

*As daunting as the marathon can be, there are so many wonderful aspects on race day that will make you forget your nerves. I run Chicago every year which has 1.2 million people present and the streets are lined with spectators and supporters. I don't know which marathon you signed up for but courses that are highly touted help you beat the mental and emotional stresses on race day.

* Learn how to eat properly. When you start training, you feel HANGRY all the damn time. Your body will adjust but its not a reason to not carefully monitor your intake. A lot of people gain weight during marathon training. Carbo- loading sounds like fun but not as effective as people once thought. Runners diets consist of a lot of veggies, fruits, low fat dairy and grains. This all brings me to another very important, TMI topic: POOP. If you do not properly control your nutrition leading up to AM runs or race days - you may find your bowel movements to be off or needing to poop in the middle of a run with nowhere to go. In the days leading up to races, you need to cut back on high-fat, High-protein, large amounts of dairy and High- processed foods. The reason being is how it creates a waste in your body and how your body needs to dispel of it. Runner's world is a great magazine that explained this to me a loooong time ago. Active.com also posts a lot of informative pieces.

* Learn how to fuel. Use your long runs to figure out how to fuel yourself. Which Gu's, Gels, chomps, drinks, etc. work. Typically, you shouldn't need to refuel until after 6 miles and then every 6 after that. I find gels to be gross, they just don't work for me so I like Gatorade's line of chews and pretzels. You will also need to determmine how and when to take water and electrolyte. Invest in a runners belt for training, if you have a well-run marathon, you won't need to carry it then. To get a variety of different fueling samples, I use Runner's Box subscription service, each month they'll send you a box full of runner's goodies.

* Porta potties are gross. Invest in a small pouch that either goes on your running belt or you can use for race day that you can carry bandaids, wipes and other necessary items in. (*cough* lady products * cough* )

* Your body will do weird things while it adapts, your TOM may change - it may get better or worse depending on your body. You will learn very quickly how and what affects your body. You will feel pain in places you didn't know existed.

* Go to a running store, get fitted for shoes and change them every 3-6 months to avoid injury. While there invest in a foam roller ( trigger point is fantastic) Body glide ( no one likes chub rub - use this around your bra, arms and most definitely between your legs), running sunglasses, garmin ( or something other than a phone app that give you an accurate mileage) and Tech tees and shorts. This is special material that is sweat-wicking and breathable. NEVER wear cotton. If you have big boobs, get a maximum compression sports bra and strap those ladies down! They will also fit you for this at any good running store. Make sure anything that you wear on race day, you have tested on a long run.

* Get a 26.2 support crew - a group of people who will follow you around and cheer you on in the marathon and set a plan so you know when you will see them. This is a bonding activity every year for me and BFF. But instead of counting down mile markers, you will focus on when you will next see your group.

* Getting your period on race day or any day around it sucks. Especially if you crap or have any type of issues. If you are on BC and control it, skip it altogether you will be so much happier.

* Get a reallllly good playlist and have a "go -to" song. Whenever you get hit in the middle of a run and just aren't feeling it anymore, go to your song and get yourself pumped back up. It usually helps if its upbeat. Mine right now is Macklemore's Can't hold us

* DO YOUR TEMPO RUNS! They make a huge difference in pace!

* CROSS-TRAIN! It helps with pacing and avoiding injury. Spinning and swimming is great cross-training.

*Do not skip strength training. Make sure to focus on your core and lift on both lower body and upper body. Even though running seems to be a lower body activity, you will draw a lot of energy from pumping your arms as well.

* Keep in mind, you will get passed and you will pass others. But your only competition is you, your own time and your own goals. Its no one else's race except yours.

* Do yoga. Especially if you hate regular stretching. Its a lot less boring in my opinion but its really good for opening up the hips which runners often neglect.

* LIsten to your body. it will tell you what it needs.


That's all I have for now, I'm sure there's more. Feel free to friend me or message me with any questions. Hope this helps! Its just one foot in front of the other! Best of luck!

Yes, ! JUut what I needed! So you are saying BC-skip it?

Use your BC to skip your period! Don't skip te BC! LOL

yes you do!!! Yes you can. Most marathons have a 16 minute pace minimum. Keep that in mind as you train. You do not need to get to a 10 min mile or anything. When you walk, walk with purpose.

Right now, Gidget, my fiance, is knocking out 13 minute miles including walk breaks. Her run pace is about 12 mm. Her long run is 8 miles. She had never run a lick until about 6 months ago. and we are 46 years old.

get a pic of your metal and put it all over the place

believe in you

edit to change, it's been about 6 mos for Gidg, and we are old.

Your goal for now should be to build a base. Running several days a week.

^ This!

I think it's absolutely possible for you to finish a marathon a year from now (so don't listen to the naysayers), but the first step is really just to establish a base of running. C25K is a great place to start. Get to the point where you can run 5K, then keep doing that 3-4x/week. Once you have that well established and you're feeling comfortable, you're ready to start running longer distances. But for now, you just need to build a running base.

FWIW, I went from being a non-runner to running a marathon in about 18 mos. Run some races at intermediate distances (5K, 10K, half marathon) before marathon day, just so you have some experience under your belt. It will go better if you know what to expect.

It sounds like you have a pretty realistic goal: to finish the race. And if you aren't concerned about time (which you should NOT be), you can totally do this. It will be tough, and it will take a genuinely huge time commitment, especially as you get closer to the marathon date. But you can do it.