First-time stories/advice?

[semielliptical]

Hey there! I'm running my first marathon on Sunday, and would love to hear short stories about your first marathon, or first other big event. Advice is also welcome! Or any other distracting anecdotes. :)

I also wanted to say thank you to all of the participants in this community - the support that I've found from checking in here off and on over the last several years really helped me get to the point where I believed I could sign up to run a marathon.

And a special thank you to ilanarama who helped construct the training plan that I have (mostly) followed for the last 18 weeks!

Comments

[ilanarama]

Woohoo, congratulations on getting to the start line (which is a nontrivial part)! I am excited for you! If you have a recent non-trail race time I'm happy to advise you on pace; otherwise, run by feel but keep it easy in the first half.

Here is my first-time story.

Here is my best advice: don't wear or eat anything on race day that you haven't used before, start slowly (if you don't feel like you're crawling in the first 5 miles, you're going too fast), and hi-5 all the little kids who hold their hands out to you. Have fun.

[semielliptical]

Thanks for your encouragement and your story!! It's great that you had such an enjoyable and successful first marathon. I had seen that article on fast starts and slow finishes, but it's good to have that reinforced. I'm really hoping to have fun, too. :)

I did a road half marathon, but probably not what you would consider recent, August 13th, and the weather was dreadful (for me), 80F and near 100% humidity. I was cautious due to the weather and finished in 2:19, my slowest road half. Thankfully, it looks like I will have pretty good weather for the marathon, partly sunny and between 45-60F.

[ilanarama]

I think you could target around 4:50-5 hours. But I'm suggesting that more as a not-to-exceed pace in the early miles than a goal, that is - you should run by feel, but if you find yourself going 11 minute miles you should slow down.

[semielliptical]

I think that seems pretty reasonable. I might run with the 5 hour pace team if that seems helpful at the time.

[ell]

Firstly - go you! Have a great time on Sunday! That's pretty much the extent of my advice - enjoy the feeling, chat with people (ornot if that's not your thing) give kids high fives, listen to the bands - depending on the race: make detailed plans to meet up with anyone who comes with you afterward because it can be really chaotic at the end. Also be prepared to get really emotional at the end - that's completely normal.

Get everything you are wearing/bringing ready the night before so you don't have to do any thinking the morning of.

Oh and bring a packet of tissues so that when the portapottties inevitably run out you're covered.

I also start longer races with a throwaway bottle of water - then I can avoid the crowds and the stopping at the first waterstop.

Good luck and have a great time.

[semielliptical]

Thanks so much!!

I hadn't yet thought about a meetup spot, good tip. It's not a huge race (4,000) but I know I won't have any mental energy for figuring out where to find my husband if I don't see him right away.

[dhampyresa]

Congrats!

[semielliptical]

Thanks so much!!

[blnchflr]

I missed this - hope you had a good race and hope you post :)

[semielliptical]

Thanks, I did have a good race! And I just posted about it.