Can we talk marathons, please?

I have a tentative plan to run the Rehoboth Beach Marathon in Delaware on December 7. I haven't registered yet and I'm not sure what's holding me back. I guess the thought of it just makes me nervous in general. I get super psyched when I think about signing up and doing it and then I get nervous. I ran my second half marathon on Sunday and felt so much better than my first. I felt much stronger at the end as opposed to feeling like I was going to die after my first. But I still felt a little bored around mile 10 and thought omg how am I going to do a full? I guess if I properly train will I mentally and physically be prepared for it? Do you get bored or super exhausted and just want to give up but force yourself to push through? I don't normally feel bored when running. Maybe because this wasn't my first half and I hadn't really trained or prepared for it that I didn't put pressure on myself to finish really well so it was just kind of whatever for me. Running a full marathon is something I would like to do before having kids and we'd like to start trying early next year. I know it's something I can do after having kids I just feel like a lot goes into the training that it would probably be easier to do now than later.

I guess I'm looking to hear some experiences of others that have ran a marathon. How did you feel before/during/after. Were you psyched to sign up and do one, was it really tough?

Just looking for any marathon input in general. Thanks a bunch!

Re: Can we talk marathons, please?

I don’t post on here often, but this is a great topic. First of all, congrats on completing another half marathon! That’s great that you felt strong at the end. I have run 2 marathons and probably will not do another in the near future, but I can share my experiences. I was excited to sign up after watching it on tv the year before and realizing how I have run a few half marathons and should step it up - how it would be such an accomplishment, and it is!! My reason for not doing another anytime soon is not because I don’t like marathons, I just do not have the time to commit to the long runs having small children (ages 3 & 4) and working full-time. So for now I’m sticking to half marathons or less if I race at all. I always said the marathon is not twice as hard as the half; it’s more like 5 times as hard and I feel that the majority of the struggle is not in the race, but in the training.

For both of my marathons I trained very conservatively – I don’t think I ran over 35 miles per week for either. I simply did not want to get injured and just got in whatever miles I could within my schedule. Both of my marathons were NYC, which is a tougher course due to the overcrowding on the course and some hills during the later miles. I made the mistake of running with someone for my first marathon and I think it really threw me off. I was DONE by mile 18. I got through, but it was a huge struggle. Things will hurt in the later miles even if you train well, but I was so miserable. Thankfully, one of the Team in Training coaches jumped in and got me through after mile 18. My other mistake was letting the crowd hype me up. The crowds are amazing, but you can waste a lot of energy high-fiving people!! So after that, 5 years later, 2 children and all, I decided to try again. Training was tough, I was squeezing in 15-milers before work so I didn't waste my weekends running and recovering from long runs. I ran my own race, did not get into the crowds too much and had a completely different experience. I struggled around mile 22, but got a strange burst of energy around mile 24 and just felt amazing at the finish. It was not the time I would have thought I could get – if you look at what I should have finished in “on paper” based on other race times, I would have been much faster. However, I accept that I do not over train for the marathon and it is what it is. Plus, I think NYC is a slower course by at least 10 minutes. As far as your fears, you will be fine. If you train, you will finish. It’s not easy, especially towards the end, but we all have our stories on how we got through. I was told once that with a marathon you have to respect the distance. That means basically do not go out a super-fast pace thinking you will “bank time” because that’s not how it works. The last 6.2 miles are an entirely different race because most of us train to 20 miles. You have experience with running, so stepping up to the marathon should be no problem for you. Just be sure you stretch and practice hydration on your long runs and you’ll be fine. Keep notes on how you felt on your longer runs, what worked, what did not, so you know what to do and not do on race day. And keep in mind for your first, don't obsess over time. I find after you run your first, you will automatically run a better race for your second (I bet you'll do more!) because you're experienced - unless there's elements out of your control - weather....Good luck and I think you should go for it!!

Message edited 3/19/2013 12:09:32 PM.

Re: Can we talk marathons, please?

Thank you so much for your input and for sharing your experience! NYC twice, that's amazing!! It sounds like if I can do it before starting a family, I should huh?

Anyone else have any experiences to share?

TIA!!

Re: Can we talk marathons, please?

Re: Can we talk marathons, please?

I've run four marathons. I now have a 21 month old DS and have only run one race since he was born. So yes, do it before you have kids if you can!

Getting bored really depends on which race you do I think. I've run Marine Corps (in DC), NYC, and Disney 2x. In NYC there is no way to get bored. There are crowds everywhere. Marine Corps is also pretty good with that. Disney does not have great crowds and there are some stretches that are on highways, so yes, you can get bored. But they do have bands and stuff to try and keep you entertained.

As far as training, I also trained conservatively. I think I did a max of 40-42 miles per week.

Honestly, as hard as the training and the actual races were I'm so glad I did them. They were all wonderful experiences in their own way. I can't wait to run another one, but I'm 10 weeks pregnant right now so it will be a while. I'm hoping to do the Goofy Challenge in 2018.

I think you should just sign up and go for it. Look at it this way, if you absolutely hate it, you never have to do it again! But I think you'll probably love it.

Re: Can we talk marathons, please?

Great advice from the previous posters! I was really undertrained for mine, and that resulted in a painful marathon. But it was an experience I will never forget. I will do ONE more someday (since first was just to finish I would like to do one for time) but I def don't have the time for training with 3 young kids. Do it now while you have the time!!! Trust me! I wouldn't say I was bored at all during the actual marathon but I hate long training runs and even though I was undertrained the few I did were boring and miserable! Oh and in case you want to read every detail about my marathon, here is the post.http://www.lifamilies.com/chat/topic.aspx?ID=715228&Highlight=Disney

Re: Can we talk marathons, please?

I've done 6 marathons...
once i did one i was hooked. it was so painful during it and every time i swore never again,,,,but there is nothing like it in the world. for me it is one of my proudest accomplishments (aside from my kids! )
it takes dedication and time but it's all worth it. i did 4 before i had kids and 2 since having them. it was a lot easier to train when i was child-free.
i thought the training wasn't too bad-it was a mental and physical journey and taught me a lot about myself. i used Hal Higdon's to begin, did one long training run a week (on saturdays)
good luck and if you do it cherish and enjoy it-you will not regret it!

ETA that all 6 of my marathons were NYC! i loved the energy and crowds...not sure i could do a quiet marathon. the surrounding energy is important to me.
edited again to also admit i am a tortoise runner..i was more concerned with injuring myself and not getting there or finishing. i didn't care b.c i wasn't going to win anyway! the key to training when you have small children is: a supportive DH or family AND a jogging stroller! those 2 things made it possible for me. my DS was 15 months and DD 3.5 when i did my first after having kids, and 28 months and 4 for my next one. they were my running buddies during my weekly runs-i had no choice since DH works long hours!

Message edited 3/19/2013 9:54:01 PM.

Re: Can we talk marathons, please?

Re: Can we talk marathons, please?

Re: Can we talk marathons, please?

Posted by ME75

I've done 6 marathons...
once i did one i was hooked. it was so painful during it and every time i swore never again,,,,but there is nothing like it in the world. for me it is one of my proudest accomplishments (aside from my kids! )
it takes dedication and time but it's all worth it. i did 4 before i had kids and 2 since having them. it was a lot easier to train when i was child-free.
i thought the training wasn't too bad-it was a mental and physical journey and taught me a lot about myself. i used Hal Higdon's to begin, did one long training run a week (on saturdays)
good luck and if you do it cherish and enjoy it-you will not regret it!

ETA that all 6 of my marathons were NYC! i loved the energy and crowds...not sure i could do a quiet marathon. the surrounding energy is important to me.
edited again to also admit i am a tortoise runner..i was more concerned with injuring myself and not getting there or finishing. i didn't care b.c i wasn't going to win anyway! the key to training when you have small children is: a supportive DH or family AND a jogging stroller! those 2 things made it possible for me. my DS was 15 months and DD 3.5 when i did my first after having kids, and 28 months and 4 for my next one. they were my running buddies during my weekly runs-i had no choice since DH works long hours!

Re: Can we talk marathons, please?

I just thought of anther question, hopefully not too personal. Did the marathon training mess up your menstrual cycle at all? I noticed after my first half my period stopped for a bit. I was also super stressed around that time with work and it was the first time I was steadily running that much. It took about three months after before I was having normal periods again and this is with being on the pill! I'm nervous to do the marathon with the possibility it may mess up my cycle, knowing we want to start trying very soon after. I may bring it up with my Gyno too. Just wondering if any of you had a firsthand experience.

Re: Can we talk marathons, please?

You will do great! There are so many training models out there, you can find one to fit into your schedule.

I'm running my 5th this year (NYC). All have been after having my 2 oldest. I ran one after DD (she was 9 months at the time) and this will be my second after the third. It will have been 17 months between marathons, b/c I did have a slight mental breakdown about the training (I dropped out of Steamtown last year). It's a delicate balance and my goals definitely change.

As for training, DH is great about it. We trade off things too...a 3-4 hour long run for 18 holes of golf. I couldn't have done it without him. He has also come to each one to cheer for me in multiple spots. Without kids it's much easier to go out, but you will be tired for most of the day after long runs over 15-16 miles.

signing up is the biggest obstacle, but also the biggest motivator.

I did my first marathon during the USATF headphone ban. I didn't know how I would get through without music, but since you are going slower, people chat away. I met so many people I never would have spoken to if I had headphones on. I try to still chat with my headphones on (low sound). You read people's shirts and find connections. At Hartford, I saw someone with a LI shirt and we chatted a bit, etc. One race I my bib was 777. there was a turn around point, so many runners on the other side of the road cheered for me just for my number. Marathon runners (and fans) are a special breed.

You will hit a wall. It could be at mile 22 or at mile 18. That's what a lot of the long training runs are for...learning how to fuel to prolong the wall as long as possible. The human body has enough fuel to run ~20 miles...the last 10K is the toughest. The last 4 miles of San Diego for me was debating whether to run and hurt a little more, but get it over with or walk and take longer with a little less hurting. (I did Team in Training for that one and wanted to poke the coach's eyes out when he came over to "encourage" me...LOL )

There is a popular saying that fans use for marathon signs: Pain is temporary; pride is forever. I saw it on my first marathon and it always stays with me. To run 1 marathon puts you in a class of less than 1% of people. A marathon isn't twice as hard as a half marathon, it's like 3-4 times harder and it's a very special club to be in.

My period has been regular since pretty much 13 (I started running at 12). I have always credited it to running.

Re: Can we talk marathons, please?

Can we talk marathons, please?

I've do e three. Philly, Marine corp, and Hartford. Philly was amazing as was Marine corp. Hartford was ok. Just had better experiences at the others


Training takes over your life. Between eating properly, sleeping enough, and long training runs, it is like a part time job. But I loved every moment.

You'll never forget crossing the finish line