Marathon Race day advice

rachel5576
rachel5576 Posts: 429 Member
edited October 4 in Fitness and Exercise
Im am training for the Rock n Roll Arizona Marathon in January. I'm looking for advice from others who have completed a larger marathon before. I signed up for the race in june and based my finishing time on a half marathon a month before. I have gotten much faster and now I am concerned that i might be in too slow of a corral. My goal is to finish with a time at least 20 mins faster than the corral i should be placed in. So my question is for those experienced in larger races of this type is it possible to go at your own pace or would i most likely be stuck with the others? I guess what i really want to know is if i should go ahead a request a corral change or if it would even make a difference, or wait and see how the rest of my training goes.

Also if you have any marathon advice you'd like to share please do so. Thanks!

Replies

  • MiloBloom83
    MiloBloom83 Posts: 2,724 Member
    You can change your corral at Rock 'n' Roll events at the expo. They always have a booth set up to do that.
  • irunforfun
    irunforfun Posts: 113 Member
    Best advice I ever got (from a fellow runner on here) - don't go out too fast. Take control of the adrenaline. It will be rushing at that start line. I ran like hell and it was my biggest mistake and one I won't do again. GOOD LUCK!
  • Jessica68
    Jessica68 Posts: 2,419 Member
    If its not any trouble then yes, go ahead and change your corral so you are not having to go around too many slower paced runners. Trying to find a space to pass can be a little distracting on the more crowded larger races.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    I was in your shoes, and in my opinion, it really doesn't matter.
    In a very large & congested marathon, even the "faster" corral won't be that much faster and there will be tons of comers & goers those first few miles that it's best to just stick to your own pace & not get caught up in the other runners.
  • helma123
    helma123 Posts: 79 Member
    It might help you not go out too fast if you are running with slower runners. I don't think it makes a huge difference where you start though. Good luck!
  • rachel5576
    rachel5576 Posts: 429 Member
    Thank you for all your advice. i think i will just play it by ear for now. My longest runs will be in dec in Wisconsin. So I'll wait and see if im still as fast when its below zero haha. Thanks again. Good to know i can change at the expo if i want to.
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    Lots of people already know my top three marathon tips are:

    1) don't go out too fast
    2) don't go out too fast
    3) don't go out too fast

    That said, starting in a slower corral at a big race can lead to lots of energy wasted running around/bast/between/through slower runners. See how your training is going, but I say you want to start in the appropriate corral for sure.

    If you are torn between two paces (say 4:00 & 3:50 for example), I would recommend starting with the slower group and then speeding up at mile 19 in the event you are still feeling good (which may be hopeful but unlikely). Nothing is worse than starting with the faster group only to get passed by the slower group at mile 21 (knowing that you would probably still be running with them had you started at that pace).

    Good luck!
  • FrenchMob
    FrenchMob Posts: 1,167 Member
    You said you're racing in AZ training in WI. Another thing you should be concerned about is temp differences. You'll be use to running your long runs in the cold, and racing in the warmer temp. You'll always be faster in the cold so take that into consideration when you're running your race. Also, as daunting as it may seem, closer to race day, maybe do a couple of longer runs on an indoor track or treadmill to see how you feel in the warmer temp.
  • rachel5576
    rachel5576 Posts: 429 Member
    @ arc918 -dont go out to fast, pick slower corral. Ok i will try to remember that! Thanks!
    @RVachon71 that is really good advice and i hadn't really thought of. Thank you!
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    @ arc918 -dont go out to fast, pick slower corral. Ok i will try to remember that! Thanks!
    @RVachon71 that is really good advice and i hadn't really thought of. Thank you!

    start in the proper corral for your new and improved (but realistic) race goal

    if you using the pace groups, consider going out with the slower one (if you are on the fence)
  • jillybeanruns
    jillybeanruns Posts: 1,420 Member
    I wouldn't change your corral yet honestly, you never know what's going to happen, And I personally think it's a jinx. But I also accidentally put myself in a WAY faster corral! Gotta live up to the speed now I suppose!

    Otherwise this is from one of the RnR race websites:

    **Race changes are only allowed up to 8 weeks prior to race day. Please visit our Event Timelines page for event specific deadlines

    Making Corral Changes
    The start line corral system allows for a smooth race start for participants of varying levels. Based on the estimated finish time that you provide on your race entry form, you are assigned a race number and corresponding corral, with other participants of similar running pace.

    Before the event deadline: If you would like to change your corral/predicted finish time for your race, simply email this request along with your first name, last name, the mailing address that you registered with, and your new predicted finish time to Customer Service.

    After the event deadline: If your training has gone better than expected, and you would like to move up to a faster corral, pick up your race number at the Health & Fitness Expo and then proceed to the “Corral Change” table to be re-assigned to the appropriate corral. To move back to a slower corral, simply start in that corral on race morning. No official corral change is necessary.
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