Training for my first marathon. Any tips/comments?

[Presidentcokedupfratboy]

I'm training for the Los Angeles Marathon in March, 2006. I have the right shoes, lycra shirts, and I'm enrolled in the L.A. Roadrunners training program. I was wondering what any of the runners out there had in the way of advice.

I'm trying for a 12-minute mile for now but if I can, I'm going to try to move up.

Any advice would be great.

[Squatch]

1. Yeah, you should try to run faster than the other people.

Best advice I ever got.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

2. Make your maximum run 20 miles. Also do some track workouts.

On Edit: A 12 minute mile is going to "kill you". The longer you're out there the worse it's going to get.

[JimmyJazz]

3. If you don't get the answers you want in the lounge, you might

want to post this in the fitness forum. There are some pretty serious athletes over there! Not that there aren't any in here, but you know what I mean :)

[MissMillie]

11. I think rainbowreflect is planning a marathon run

one of her recent fitness posts talks about starting her training program for a marathon next October.

[WeRQ4U]

4. Get a car.

:P

Actually, I commend you for trying. Running more than about 100 yards is a bitch for me. Good luck.

[Presidentcokedupfratboy]

6. I thought about that

But then I would have to spend money on gas.....

[WeRQ4U]

8. LOL.

That's going to be my new tagline:

"I can't afford gas, so I've decided to run everywhere"

[underpants]

5. Follow the training program

I haven't ever run one (really need to get on that) but everyone I know who has run one has stuck to the training program.

TIP- work on your foot/leg strength by standing on one foot for 10 second or so. Work up to about 30 seconds. Make it a part of your stretch. You will be amazed at how a little thing like that helps.

[RedCloud]

7. You did say any advice, right?

I have found that by trying to climb a mountain, I lose a lot of salt that way. As it turns out I need salt to slow down on the way down. So, you can probably run a mile way under 12 minutes if it is down a mountain (and hopefully not too vertical!).

[AllegroRondo]

9. Ran my first marathon last April

congrats on your first attempt!

what helped me -

1) tell friends and family what you are planning. This makes it MUCH harder to back out. Their support will make those 20 mile training runs bearable.

2) stick to the training program! I ran 3 times a week, short runs on Tues/Thurs and a long run on Saturday. Cross training (biking for me) on Wed. If you miss a day, get right back on it.

3) pacing is everything. The day of the run, you will feel GREAT starting out, and tempted to go faster. DONT DO IT. Stick to the pace you set out for. If there is a pace team (New Balance usually sponsors one for big marathons) stick with them.

4) the week before the run - drink LOTS of water, and start loading up on carbs.

5) the morning of the run - eat a light breakfast, keep hydrated, and go to the bathroom before the run starts.

6) carry hard candy (I like jolly ranchers) with you. the sugar is a big help.

7) if you have time, drive the course before hand. Get an idea of where the hills are, where the water stations will be, etc. It really helped me to break up the course into smaller chunks. Instead of thinking "25 miles to go" I was thinking "Only 2 miles to the University" then "only 3 miles to the park", "only 1 mile to the next water point" and so on.

Good luck!

[kick-ass-bob]

10. there are websites that set up training schedules for you.

My wife ran a half-marathon after doing a 10 week plan.

Just search for them - it has been a while, so I don't remember where they are.