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Sorry about your loss.You're faster than me so my goals may not apply.1) Don't get chicked by any chicks in the 3rd trimester.2) Don't get dropped by anyone who's currently applying to be on the Biggest Loser.3) Don't be that guy spazing across the finish line and end being a youtube sensation.
Welcome! Or welcome again! The logistics of the transitions is pretty easy, to be honest. Couple links for you to help out:Race Day checklist.
First I really appreciate the support from everyone. This is a pretty unique crew. It's damn cool how we can rally for each other when most of us have never met face to face.Ivan and floppo - I think you're 100% right that I'm letting the timing of everything happening along with the taper doubts cloud my judgement. There's more crap going on that I want to avoid bringing in here since this is a running thread and not a group therapy. But needless to say, a lot of things that are infinitely more important than this race are happening within the family this week and it's completely derailed my focus. In the back of my mind, I am about as positive as I can be that I can run a sub-4:00 on Sunday. However, I'm not hyper-focused like I usually am before a race. I'm a firm believer that a huge portion of running well is all about mindset and focus. Right now, I'm lacking all focus. That intesity is missing (my wife is probably enjoying that aspect'IvanKaramazov said:
). Maybe I'll snap out of it. Maybe I won't. Right now, I'm OK with cherishing what I hope to be a major accomplishment on Sunday. 26-385, baby.BnB - 
thanks for the tips. As for #3? I'm quite alright with being that spaz as long as I'm spazzing out with excitement over finishing my first marathon.
Ned, sorry for your loss. I think the first few miles of your race will be very emotional but they will also seem effortless, just be careful not to go out too fast as you won't even realize you're doing it. After that, settle in and enjoy the ride! Good luck!
+1I say sign up for the marathon.Look on the bright side, it will probably only be 70 degrees on race day!My update: easy 5 yesterday and rode my bike to work this morning. Didn't get attacked by any dogs but some ####### in a delivery truck nearly ran me over!
Right in line with my mantra...give me your weary, old, handicapped, preggers, pre-teens, morbidly obese, late to the race (bfred), injured and I'll deliver a top shelf finish.
Got a 4 mile run in this morning. I had no idea where I was going so I did an out & back. Legs felt like lead for the first two miles but I was running 9:02 min/miles. After that I was good to go and did sub 8:30s and felt like I was floating. Weird how that works sometimes.
Yeah, granted, Im not even running marathons.I started this with the goal of a half marathon...partially to help raise money for a friend's charity...and through that I knew I would stick with it and it would help me drop weight. Now, the weight has been dropping thanks to the running and eating much better than I had been.But, I do end up with some sore legs sometimes and other little nagging things. And I get the comment from time to time from one guy about running being bad for your legs and this and that.I realize the injury risk. I realize its not great on my legs right now.But I also realize I enjoy doing it and its helping me get to my goals and its not going to stop.
Did my second set of mile repeats this morning. Wanted to slow down on the first one so I didn't blow up on the second one. Did warmup mile at 9 min mile.Did first speed mile at 7:05.Did 4:30 recovery.Did second speed mile at 7:06. Did 4:30 recovery.Did 1/4 mile speed at 6:30/mile pace.Thanks. I haven't run a 5K since last summer and I'm not sure I've ever been THAT fast. I'm not in tip top shape but I did a 5 mile race a couple weeks ago at 7:31/mile. I doubt I could get the 5K to 6:51.......maybe just over 7.....maybe.My goal for marathon is to hopefully (god willing....weather willing) is to break 3:30. I'm shooting to run the first 20 miles in 7:55 and hopefully have enough gas in the tank to bring it home in less than 3:30. I want to leave myself a little wiggle room in case I slow down the last few miles (which happened in my first marathon.)So, 4:30 for recovery. Sounds good. Pace on that really doesn't matter? I was over 10/mile pace and I was wondering if my recovery should be a bit quicker. But it sounds like as long as I'm not walking, that's okay.Finally, as I lengthen my miles, I would start adding speed workouts? So eventually, get it up to 4,6,8 of them in one workout? Are mile repeats the best distance for marathon, or do I extend those to 3,4,5 mile repeats?Thanks for your help! I'll try to find a 5K race that I can run in the coming weeks to help gauge it. If I can't, then I'll have my own 5K race (I'm guaranteed to be on the podium if I'm the only entrant!)
Thanks for everyone's feedback.
I don't feel that it's bad for the legs...if the running stride is good. Running with bad form (and a heavy heel strike) can ultimately do damage to the legs. Kudos to the "fat chick" 
for completing a marathon. 7 hours is as much walkig as running ...but she made the commitment and did it. Props to her. Shame on the know-it-all, holier-than-thou teacher.
I think what i mean is for many people...running is not the best way to get cardio in because there is that risk of injury (and the wear and tear on the legs in the long run). Though, I also say that with a family history of bad hips, knees, and arthritis and my own bouts with shin splints and bad ankles.
I'll assume the dooshy teacher is a chain-smoking beer bellied slob. They're usually the ones who proclaim the loudest that running is bad for you. As for me, I've never had any friends/relatives/colleagues give me that lecture but some will give me the "that's crazy I could never run that far" schtick.About 5 years ago, this older guy (probably tri-man's age!) started running near my house. He looked like Tony Soprano when he started. Shuffling along in a wifebeater and hightops at a ridiculously slow pace carrying a discman. Fast forward 5 years and that guy is still out there most mornings but now he's gotta be 100 pounds lighter and sports real running shoes and an ipod! Good for him, your friend and anyone else out there who does anything to get themselves into shape.
I get the same thing - "I couldn't run to my mailbox, let alone 26 miles", but never get anything negative.Dooshteach is just jealous. Nothing more.
out. I took it easy the first mile and sped up just a bit through miles 2 and 3. Finished in 29"44 and felt as if I could have gone faster or longer. Just 3 weeks ago I was running in the same temps and felt as if I was dying after finishing the same 3 miles 2 minutes slower. I guess you can get used to anything.
Done.
gruecd -- you ready to kick some a ss this weekend in your half? How are you feeling? What's the weather looking like?
Absolutely. Legs are feeling fresh, and the GHMP miles I did on Tuesday felt relatively easy. Shooting for 1:26:30, so I'm planning on running the first couple miles at 6:45 and then (hopefully) settling into 6:35s the rest of the way.Temps look good in the mid- to upper-40s. They're forecasting a strong NNE wind, but most of the run is east-west, and a lot of it's in a residential area, so it shouldn't be too bad. Game on!!
Ned - Not going to lie to you it sucks. Did one last year and I was soaked to the bone before I even started. Try to stay as dry as you can for as long as you can before the start. Since I was soaked, my outlook on the race really sucked and I was mentally done before I started. I ran it, but by no means did I feel like I had a good time.It will be tough to know how much sweat you are losing because you are all wet as it is so make sure you are taking atleast some fluids at every stop. Hopefully by now you know how you sweat and how much you typically need. I did not look at your report, but most of the time if it is raining it is more humid so breathing may become a bit of an issue.
I've never done a full in the rain before, but I did a half in fairly heavy and steady rain a while back. It doesn't really have to affect your performance that much, and it's a lot better to run in the rain than to have it be dry but 80+. That said, it won't be comfortable either. Your socks and shoes will get soaked through and may not feel right. Everything that can possibly chafe will get chafed, so don't be stingy with body glide and keep in mind that it will probably wash off at some point no matter what you do.
Definitely put some Body Glide on your toes. In fact, if you're going to have friends/family out on the course spectating, maybe put a 2nd pair of shoes and a dry pair of socks in a plastic bag and have them take it along. It would take you a minute or two to change, but it might be worth it for comfort's sake.FWIW, I started my first-ever marathon (Green Bay '04) in a torrential downpour. The heavy rain let up after 5-6 miles, but it was cold and drizzling the whole race. But you know what? I was fine.
I second the body glide on the feet. In fact, I use them on most runs more than 16 miles regardless of weather. Just lube it all up! In terms of staying dry, I don't know how big you are, but I will wear a garbage bag (gotta cut holes for arms and head). It helps keep you dry and deals with the wind as well. You can even run the first mile or so with it and just rip it off when you are done with it.Definitely put some Body Glide on your toes. In fact, if you're going to have friends/family out on the course spectating, maybe put a 2nd pair of shoes and a dry pair of socks in a plastic bag and have them take it along. It would take you a minute or two to change, but it might be worth it for comfort's sake.FWIW, I started my first-ever marathon (Green Bay '04) in a torrential downpour. The heavy rain let up after 5-6 miles, but it was cold and drizzling the whole race. But you know what? I was fine.
Have a great race, Ned.
Unless you plan on winning the race, there are really no "rules". Just be considerate of others, that's all.Good luck and knock em dead.Whoa so that's actually legal? Seriously, I had a dream last night that I pit stopped for a change of 'tires', aka shoes since I was so water logged. I woke up and thought that was ridiculous and would get me disqualified. I do have 2 pairs that I've been cycling and have equal wear on them.
Yep, if you plan on winning, you could get DQ'd for something as stupid as taking a water bottle from a spectator. In your case, you'll be totally fine. Just step off the course, get out of people's way, and put on the dry shoes.
Also, for before the race, you could wear some plastic bags over your feet (tape/tie them at the ankles) ...it'll look odd, but if you've got to walk around before the race, better to start with dry feet. One step in a puddle, or the cumulative effect of hanging around in the rain beforehand, could give you a soaking before the gun even sounds. Wear your nip bandaids, too - wet shirts will create unpleasant friction.My best marathon was the one where I started the slowest. Don't be anxious - it's a long event. Do well! I very much look forward to the report.--Sand, I did start a sheet, and had set it up for controlled user access (and asked for PMs), but it got lost in the thread's chatter. It's fine to go with a 'public' spreadsheet. Thanks for getting back on this!
Oh, and in the rain I'd be absolutely sure to wear industrial strength nip guards. That wet for that long will really cause some chafing. I'd probably also recommend body glide around the neck and armpits, etc.
Now we just gotta fill it out. Grue? You? Who else?
Ned, if you do change shoes, don't forget the timing chip. That is of course if you attach it to your shoes.Whoa so that's actually legal? Seriously, I had a dream last night that I pit stopped for a change of 'tires', aka shoes since I was so water logged. I woke up and thought that was ridiculous and would get me disqualified. I do have 2 pairs that I've been cycling and have equal wear on them.
If Ned ends up crossing the finish line number-less and chip-less, at least it won't be the FFA's fault.
Ned, if you do change shoes, don't forget the timing chip. That is of course if you attach it to your shoes.Whoa so that's actually legal? Seriously, I had a dream last night that I pit stopped for a change of 'tires', aka shoes since I was so water logged. I woke up and thought that was ridiculous and would get me disqualified. I do have 2 pairs that I've been cycling and have equal wear on them.
- I didn't even think of that.
If Ned ends up crossing the finish line number-less and chip-less, at least it won't be the FFA's fault.
Great stuff guys.
Not that that's stopped you before.
[serious now] Has you system been better since you've gone gluten feee ...has that taken care of your problems/discomfort?
Not that that's stopped you before.
It will be tough to take dumps in route around here until the corn grows another couple of feet.Yup. When I've strayed I've had some minor discomfort, although right now I not venturing into zone 4.
I laughed my ### off Darrin.'Ned said:If Ned ends up crossing the finish line number-less and chip-less, at least it won't be the FFA's fault.
cuz I sure needed it!!!! Go get'em NED. Rain = better bragging rights. Sorry to drive by post, but hoping the best for you as you have worked so #### hard!!!!___________________________________Work is killing me and coaching is stealing training time. Goals for 2011 have been altered accordingly (and I am so cool with it. I missed coaching baseball so much). Barring hard rain, I'll be doing a mock (training tri) Sunday that will include a sub 55 degree swim. 
I have not checked in for the last three days. I was sorry to read about your loss here. Sounds like this marathon will be therapeutic for you. I think what you are doing is exactly correct. Jus go out and enjoy the experience and leave your troubles behind for a bit.
