First half marathon tomorrow! :0 Any last minute tips?

caitles14
caitles14 Posts: 89
in Fitness and Exercise
EEEK I'm starting to freak out! I've been training for 2 months, but now haven't run in almost a week due to a bad case of tendonitis in my left hip. Xray and CT scan both came back negative, so I am cleared to "try to run" tomorrow. Any advice about running with injuries/ running half marathons in general? I'm gonna try my best to drink lots of water and ice my hip tonight. Tomorrow I'll make sure to eat a good breakfast and stretch...anything else I'm forgetting? :)

Replies

  • EricNCSU
    EricNCSU Posts: 699 Member
    Take it slow and have fun! You only get one first. :)

    I like this quote from Dean Karnazes - "Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must, but never, ever give up!".

    What helped me through my first half was just keep moving.. no matter how slow, walking, jogging, shuffling... don't stop... just keep on trucking.
  • HollywoodDJ
    HollywoodDJ Posts: 296
    Don't eat Indian or spicy foods tonight! i know someone who did and it really reeked havoc on them!

    Nice and light and healthy! GOOD LUCK!!!!! Don't forget water!
  • montana_girl
    montana_girl Posts: 1,403 Member
    Take it slow and easy and most importantly, listen to your body.

    And as my friend (who has ran several full marathons) is always reminding me, "there is nothing wrong with walking now and then; the idea is to finish and finish feeling good."

    Good luck tomorrow!
  • susiebear29
    susiebear29 Posts: 266
    love the above quote!!! good luck, don't push yourself too hard it is not worth any long term injury!! hope you can enjoy it and don't suffer too much during or after, massive respect to you for going ahead with it!! :smile:
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Great first race info in this topic: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/279198-running-tip-so-you-are-about-to-do-your-first-race?hl=first+race

    Good luck & have fun!
  • agleckle
    agleckle Posts: 235 Member
    If you plan on carbo-loading tonight (some people swear by it, some people don't believe in it) don't eat a super heavy meal tonight and definitely don't eat anything that your body is not used to already having in its diet! A piece of lean meat and a nice big salad are perfectly fine as a night-before dinner :)

    Edit: And best of luck to you! Half marathons are great! :)
  • Karrie262
    Karrie262 Posts: 152 Member
    Make sure you have some anti-inflammatory meds post race. This will help if/when your hip swells. Also, eat LIGHT. You don't want to *ahem* stop for a bathroom break because you ate too much the day before (speaking from experience :tongue: ). Eat a banana for breakfast (with water) then take some energy gels (or jelly belly sports beans--my favorites) about a half hour before the gun goes off--this should give a good amount of energy to get you through about half the run). Also, don't push through the wrong kind of pain. If it's normal long-distance running pain that's...well...normal. If it's pain caused from a hip injury--stop. It's not worth damaging and putting yourself out longer.

    Get all of your stuff laid out on your bed the night before. Put your timing chip on your shoes, get your lucky socks out (if you have 'em), put your bib number on your shirt, have your alarm clock already set. Basically, set yourself up so you have nothing to worry about. And TRY to get as much sleep as you can. Don't change anything from your normal routine...keep it simple...keep it easy.

    You've got this. And like it was said before...have fun! Long distance races are like no other...I love 'em!!!

    Good luck!!

    Karrie
  • fatgirlslove
    fatgirlslove Posts: 614 Member
    Get out there and make us proud! You'll do great!
  • cyndimcd
    cyndimcd Posts: 106 Member
    Think of this week of rest as your time of "tapering", which is also part of preparation. Good luck, stay loose, and have fun!
  • RayMay4
    RayMay4 Posts: 7
    (I know this from my mom's experience.) If your feet hurt afterwards, WHAT EVER YOU DO! Do NOT soak them in hot water. This expands the blood vessels, and makes your feet swell up. Cold is the way to go. Its relieves the pressure. It is like putting and icepack on an injury so prevent bruising. So feet in cold water after (: (:
  • dward2011
    dward2011 Posts: 416 Member
    I had an injury going into my first half too. I ran it in intervals of 4 min run / 1 min walk. I used the stopwatch feature on my wristwatch to keep up with it (my race allowed watches/timers). I would also say be careful of your gait/stride to prevent aggravation of your hip (the adrenaline rush of a race may cause you to run differently in the beginning).

    Good luck and listen to your body!
  • cubizzle
    cubizzle Posts: 900 Member
    Get all of your stuff laid out on your bed the night before. Put your timing chip on your shoes, get your lucky socks out (if you have 'em), put your bib number on your shirt, have your alarm clock already set. Basically, set yourself up so you have nothing to worry about. And TRY to get as much sleep as you can. Don't change anything from your normal routine...keep it simple...keep it easy.

    ^THIS^ Especially if you have to travel at all. It's amazing what waking up and having your stuff all set up and ready to go can do for your confidence. It set's the tone for the day that you are prepared.
  • RayMay4
    RayMay4 Posts: 7
    Oh. by the way good luck, and remember this is for you and you will do great(:
  • runfatmanrun
    runfatmanrun Posts: 1,090 Member
    At this point, make sure you hydrate well tonight and tomorrow morning, eat something like a bagel or oatmeal in the morning before, and the most important part, have a great time. You've trained hard for this so don't give up.
  • AngelEyez1967
    AngelEyez1967 Posts: 20 Member
    I ran my first (and only) 1/2 marathon in 2009. The few pieces of advice I can give you is whatever you do, KEEP YOUR ARMS UP AND MOVING. If you keep your arms moving your legs will follow. Drink water at EVERY water station...even if you're not thirsty...just take a sip and keep it moving. Don't listen to the little man on your shoulder trying to convince you to stop...flick him off and keep going. (smile). Don't worry about your time! You've gone through 2 months of training which is strenuous within itself. Most can't and won't get that far...so YOU'RE ALREADY A WINNER! CONGRATULATIONS! :happy:
  • KCMinn
    KCMinn Posts: 20
    Have fun!

    Put your name/nickname on the back of your shirt. Use masking tape if u don't want to pull out the permanent ink. People will cheer you on by name! It makes it fun!
  • Il_DaniD_lI
    Il_DaniD_lI Posts: 1,593 Member
    bump for later.
  • MtnKat
    MtnKat Posts: 714
    Good luck and have fun!! :drinker: :flowerforyou:
  • BR3ANDA
    BR3ANDA Posts: 622 Member
    Take your time and walk when you need to, its not about getting there first, finishing is much more important!
  • tadpole242
    tadpole242 Posts: 507 Member
    take every opportunity to go to the bathroom, before you set off to the race. the toilets at nearly all races are rank and busy. don't forget to drink water before you think you need it, but don't try anything new, especially the new free sports drinks being touted at such events. If you not tried it worn it eaten it, Race day is not the time to find out that you don't like it, it rubs, or it give you the trots.
    have fun, keep going, and remember the distance is in your head.
  • annieinshape
    annieinshape Posts: 10
    Keep your pace, drink water, sunscreen
  • InTheInbetween
    InTheInbetween Posts: 192 Member
    Listen to your body! If you need to walk that's ok. You don't need to worry about time, just to finish! Use the water/gatorade stations. They are your friend! You'll do fine and remember: You're running a half marathon! You're amazing!! :flowerforyou:
  • itsuki
    itsuki Posts: 520 Member
    Don't eat or wear anything that you haven't been eating/wearing for your training!
  • sassafrasy
    sassafrasy Posts: 113
    I ran my first half marathon end of March this year...It was an awesome experience. I was very nervous the days up to the race...and then day finally came. (I remember crying at the stop light the day before the race....the feeling is overwhelming...you've trained for so long and then the day comes.
    I wore shoes and outfit that I regularly ran in and brought my music. I was nervous til the gun went off to start the race. The gun went off and in my head I was sayin' this is your day....you run your race. And I did just that...
    I used gu for energy...but never try anything for the first time for the race! The race is not the day to go for something new...
    Before the race i had peanut butter on banana....
    you'll do great....believe and you will achieve!!! go get em girl!!
  • nwhitley
    nwhitley Posts: 619
    Your first will be your most memorable!! Words of advice- just think of it as your regular long run. The only difference is that you are running with a lot more people! The race is a celebration of all of your hard work! Have fun and hopefully you have someone to take pictures of you during the race. Those are always fun to look at later on. Run your own race, don't worry about how fast or slow other people are running. The goal: start strong and finish stronger and still healthy. Have FUN!!
  • fitontherun
    fitontherun Posts: 90 Member
    OP, I was in your same position two months ago when I completed my first half marathon. I didn't run the last two weeks of training due to IT band issues (which ended up causing a bunch of discomfort the last 4 mile of the race). Like the others have said: Listen to your body, walk if you need to, and stay hydrated. I would arrive early to get good parking and use the porta-potties while they're still clean. Start slow. Don't forget to have fun! Not many people can say they've run 13.1 miles.
  • SelkieDiver
    SelkieDiver Posts: 260 Member
    Think of this week of rest as your time of "tapering", which is also part of preparation. Good luck, stay loose, and have fun!

    this!!

    Hydrate well tonight and tomorrow morning. ice afterward and anti-inflammatories. Listen to your body during and walk if needed. You're trained up and you'll do great!
  • to_the_surface
    to_the_surface Posts: 38
    As far as medical advice, doctors can be wrong too, and you mention that the pain is still there. Basically they're rolling the dice covering their behind with a clear xray and ctscan. Not questioning your doctor's advice, just suggesting that the issue is not resolved until they/you know what is causing the pain and how to eliminate such cause.

    Many long term injuries happen for ignoring the body signals (pain in this case), would suck to force an early end of the season for rushing to a race risking turning the little pain into a more serious injury. This is again a comment coming from witnessing similar situations on people i used to run/train with(a few of them were "cleared" by their doctors as well) . It's only a suggestion, your body not mine.

    And, with no sarcasm, race report sunday. Good luck
  • Colbyandsage
    Colbyandsage Posts: 751 Member
    You got a lot of good advice and since I have never actually did a half... I will not give you lame advice!

    You will do awesome! Walk if u have to, sit down and cry if u need to BUT DO NOT hurt yourself if your hip hurts but I know you are ready! I know you were relived that that doc gave you the okay to run, so enjoy tomorrow and have fun!

    If u are reading this tonight.... Go get some sleep :)
  • AngelEyez1967
    AngelEyez1967 Posts: 20 Member
    Hey...how did everything go?

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