JJ Nitro

Ten days until your marathon. Are you wondering if perhaps you should bail at the halfway point, or maybe not show up at all? Here is some simple marathon triage - 5 tips to evaluate your preparedness and make the most of your first marathon. 

 

1)Walking counts. A friend once told me he added short walking breaks into his marathon run. He and his training partners were equally prepared and aiming for the same finish time. Yet he managed to finish 20 minutes ahead of them. Why? He took a one minute walking break every few minutes. This allowed just enough rest and refreshment to make his running more efficient and tolerable. Besides, it is always honorable to have only one goal: to finish. Run, walk, or crawl. If you get there under your own power the event is a success. (As a caveat... see tip #4.) Be sure to check the course closing time. A 5 hour limit may not allow much walking while a generous 8 hour event can be briskly walked with relative ease.

 

2)Switch your registration. Most marathons will allow you to switch your registration from full to half marathon up until a few days or weeks before the event. This may delay your marathon dream, but it will still let you share the spirit of the run and get motivated for your first 26.2.

 

3)There is no shame in facing reality. If your longest run was only 8 or 10 miles, and those were a struggle, perhaps you simply are not ready for the big 26.2. Try transferring your registration to the half marathon. Or go and be a volunteer or a spectator. Your cheers will motivate the runners. And the runners will motivate you to be better prepared for the next event.

 

4)Listen to your body. An athletic 25-year-old will handle 26.2 more easily than 48-year-old couch potato only recently peeled off the sofa. If you get bold and take on 26.2 in spite of imperfect preparation, pay extra attention to your body. Remember that the distance and impact of running are nothing to be taken lightly. Stay well hydrated, even if it requires port-a-potty stops. Fuel up on gels or fruit when available. And be careful not to force your body into injury - a little caution now may lead to an even better than expected marathon on another date. Only you know when you are crossing the line from dedication to danger.

 

5)Take a 2nd, and 3rd, and 4th look at your goals. Be flexible. Don't let the excitement fool you into thinking you are ready for a pace or a distance your body or mind aren't ready to handle. Patience will pay off. Running is a lifelong pursuit. No matter what you decide, be happy! Ten days or ten months from now, you'll fulfill your goal.