Army 10 Miler & Marine Corps Marathon

This week, we have a few runners getting ready for their first 10 miler on Sunday (Army 10 Miler to be exact) and several other runners in their taper for the Marine Corps Marathon the following Sunday. I thought I'd share a few tips with the newbies - things I've generally learned the hard way. :)

- Proper hydration starts....now. Make sure you are drinking lots of water this week, especially Friday & Saturday. Don't drink too much on Sunday morning. I generally only drink at most a bottle of water before a race - and that's typically only if I'm thirsty. Stop drinking water at least 30 minutes before the start time of the race; there's plenty of liquids available on the course. If you drink too much and too late on the day of the race, you will be one of the many unfornuate souls running into the woods, behind buildings, etc. during the race. Try and avoid this. Also, take fluids at every water/gatorade stop. You don't have to drink all of it, but at least drink some. When both are available, I take both, drink some gatorade and then wash it down with the water. If you can hear the water swishing around in your stomach, you've drunk too much. The water stops will be crowded. Plan on walking through them and don't feel like you have to get water at the very first table - there are typically several tables at each stop.

- If you haven't been eating before your runs, Sunday is not the time to start. If you generally eat before your runs, eat what you normally eat. The key is to do what you normally do - don't change your pattern. Of course if you normally eat Outback before you run, and you feel it while you run, then perhaps you should change your pattern. I speak from personal experience that Outback the night before a run is generally not a good idea, and a full breakfast of eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, etc. the morning of a race is not a good idea. My prerace fuel for the marathons is typically fig newtons and Starbucks Double-Shot. That's just what works for me.

- Don't wear the event shirt to the event. Save it to wear next year or a different race. You'll see many people who break this etiquette, but choose to be cool.

- Don't carry change in your pocket. This is just one of my personal pet peeves.

- Speaking of clothes, dress for the temp at the end of the race, not the beginning. Temps are predicted to be in the 50's at the start, 70's at the end. I would suggest short sleeves and shorts. If you dress for the cooler temp, you'll be regretting it at the end. I generally wear something warmer to the race and check it at bag check so I will also have it after I cool down following the run. (Bag check is great - they do an awesome job with this!)

- Also on clothes, don't wear any clothes that you have not run in before. The expo will have lots of cool looking clothes that may tempt you but comfort is the most important factor, and if you haven't run in something before, you don't know if it will cause chafing, etc. Stick with what you know.

- These races are measured by the shortest distance from point A to point B. So, hug the corners - think in straight lines. Don't spend a lot of your energy passing people and changing "lanes" so to speak. It will be crowded and I've wasted a lot of energy in the past darting in and out around people. Now I just take it a little more relaxed, pass when I can, and try to stay out of people's "sweat wakes" (excessive sweat flying off of other runners...gross).

- Plan your run, run your plan. Don't go out too fast. That's one of the most important factors for a new runner. The adrenaline will enable you to run your first few miles faster than you've probably ever run. Don't do this. It will make the end of the run miserable for you. You know what your pace generally is - run it. If you're feeling great in the later part of the run, then pick up your pace and sprint to the end!

- You've done the training, you are prepared. Now enjoy every moment of your race. Both of these races have wonderful scenery, are fairly flat, easy courses, and boast some of the best crowd support you'll ever experience. Take it all in!

"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

Good luck everyone!

Blessings,
Karen

Race Season

Not only does October bring great weather - it also brings a season of race events. Here's something that hopefully will provide a little inspiration as you complete your training and events.

I'll never forget the first time I saw someone with 2 prosthetic legs running. It was during my first ever 1/2 marathon. A combination of inspiration and guilt is probably the most accurate representation of my feelings. How could I complain about how my legs were feeling? Since then I've seen this same scenario at pretty much every 1/2 marathon and marathon I've done. The wheelchair athletes that compete in the Marine Corps Marathon are incredible!

The other night, I caught part of a special on ESPN, "The Body Issue." One of the stories was about Rudy Garcia-Tolson who is a double-amputee iron-man competitor. I was hoping his story would be included in the magazine but it's not. (Here's another article I found: http://blog.abilitymagazine.com/?p=722) One of the fascinating facts from this show (I hope I get this right...) - a double-amputee needs 280% more oxygen than someone with legs because of how the heart works differently pumping blood through their system. Also, when we walk or run and our foot hits the ground, we are helping circulate the blood through our system more efficiently - and this is another hurdle for amputees.

I am thankful to an amazing Creator for every breath I get to take and am inspired by those who do so much more with less.

Good luck to Debbie & Vinny who are running the Chicago Marathon this weekend! The weather forecast looks beautiful (not too cold like last year, or too hot like 3 years ago :)

Blessings,
Karen