Running my First Marathon! Suggestions?

[Trapper]

Ever since I first lost 40 pounds a year and a half ago, I wanted to "be able" to run a marathon. I never thought of actually having it as a goal however. Well, because of a fundraiser I felt was important at my school, I decided to participate (which is the easy part).

Now I am training (which is the hard part), and I have a long way to go with little time to do it. I now run 6 miles per day, but the marathon is December 9. Is there anyone who ran a marathon that has any suggestions?

Also, if anyone is running the Charlotte Marathon as well in December, please let me know!

Thanks,

Trapper

[BigStew]

I have never run a marathon but my father has and he told me that make sure that you carb load for a few days before the race 3-4 not just the night before
Also I would try to increase your regular run partner to 10 miles and everyonce and a while go for a 15 mile run.

Now i understand that you are at 6 miles now so move up a mile a week until you are at ten the stay there. Good luck

[Trapper]

Thanks! I appreciate it. Where I live, it is definitely hard to find places to expand my route, but I didn't know about the carb thing. I will definitely work on that as well

[agpetz]

I would recommend going to runnersworld.com and on the main page they have a thing called "Smart Coach" where you input some info and it gives you a training plan. It usually gives a pretty good schedule. Make sure you are eating plenty of carbs, and train like you are going to race. What I mean by that is if you plan on using a certain type of sports drink during the race or a gel, use it during training to make sure your stomach can handle it. Your going to want to run longer than 15 miles for your long run, and you don't have to run everyday.

Good point on the carb loading, you want to do it for 3 or 4 days prior, not just the day before.

I'm running the Marine Corps Marathon at the end of October, so my training is winding down, last long run this weekend, 22 miles.

[yzrider400f]

have fun being 2 inches shorter after the marathon!


you marathon runners are crazy to me but good luck

[CSW23]

Thank You. Runnersworld.com is awesome!!! They have a lot of interesting info.

I would recommend going to runnersworld.com and on the main page they have a thing called "Smart Coach" where you input some info and it gives you a training plan. It usually gives a pretty good schedule. Make sure you are eating plenty of carbs, and train like you are going to race. What I mean by that is if you plan on using a certain type of sports drink during the race or a gel, use it during training to make sure your stomach can handle it. Your going to want to run longer than 15 miles for your long run, and you don't have to run everyday.

Good point on the carb loading, you want to do it for 3 or 4 days prior, not just the day before.

I'm running the Marine Corps Marathon at the end of October, so my training is winding down, last long run this weekend, 22 miles.