1st Marathon

Hey! First marathon? Awesome. I ran Honolulu as my first. Coming from Canada it was hard to prepare for (from Winter to wonderful in 24 hours). I actually ran my fifth in September and promptly tore my Achilles a month later. Tips? I have a few.

1. Follow a plan. Find a training plan that works for you and stick to it. Whether that is Hal Higden, Jeff Galloway, Running Room, a Runners World plan etc... find and stick to it.
2. Trust your training and obey your Taper. Taper is the time to allow your body to rest and recover from the months of training you've been doing in the week or two prior to a race.
3. Train with what is provided on the course... if they server Gatorade and Gu... train with Gatorade and Gu... give your body a chance to get used to the stuff that is offered (or bring your own) and avoid surprises on race day.
4. Take some time and get to know the route before race day. I love knowing where I am on a course and allows me to adjust my pace according to my goals and visual landmarks. It also cuts down on any surprises (like a 3 mile incline near the end of the race).
5. Check out the Race Expo... but do not sample new products. Nothing like finding out the new product you tried yesterday, gave you the runners trots today.
6. Lay out your equipment the night before, double and triple check everything. My first marathon, I discovered I forgot to charge my iPod the night before. Threw me off big time not having music to run with.
7. Use the facilities 20 minutes before race time.
8. Use the facilities 10 minutes before race time... make sure you are really done this time.
9. Drink a small bottle of water before you race... it helps to top you up before race time. We're talking 300 ml bottle (what is that about 10 fl ounces?)
10. Most major marathons will have corrals in which to run. Line up accordingly. I prefer to line up behind my anticipated pack... The simple reason is that most people will waste a huge amount of energy weaving back and forth trying to get ahead early. I'd prefer to coast for the first while until the crowds have thinned out. I also try not to run before the start line... whats the point? the clock doesn't start until your chip crosses the start line.
11. Pace yourself... its your first marathon, anything you run will be a personal best. I know you'll be excited and nervous but if your don't pace yourself, you'll burn out in the first 10 miles or so... Don't forget that a marathon is 26 miles.
12. While I am sure I can think of several others.... this one is really important! On the marathons I have run, there is always someone who thinks the popsicle stick you are offered is some kind of food product\energy gel etc and they stick it in their mouth. Don't be that person. It is usually petroleum jelly. Yup good old Vaseline. And it is meant for chafing (for anything that rubs (thighs, nipples, armpits). While it is usually good for a laugh... don't go there.
13. Speaking of which... figure out your blister prevention during training. You are running 26 miles... the blisters will come. I ran a marathon with someone who wore the wrong shoes on race day and ended up dropping out at mile 15 because of blisters.

Anyways... Feel free to PM me if you have questions. I'd run 5 full and 30 halves prior to my injury. I can likely answer any questions you may have.

Cheers,