Well, I'm getting down to the end of my training. I have an 18 on Friday moring, then 5-8-5-18, then 5-8-5-21, then 1 1/2 weeks of cool down-ie 8 and 9 miles as my long before the Chicago Marthon on Ocotber 7th.
If you can't spell 'marathon', you're not allowed to run in one!
I am going to be going for 10 minute miles during the race. I wish I was faster but I think this is mypace for long runs. That is trying but not over exerting myself. I know my cardio is good enough but my body just tries to stop me. After mile 2 my hips start hurting and I just have to fight through. Just the way it is.
Be sure to stretch out before and after, and an ice bath after could help as well.
So I am getting close and beginning to freak out. I need a little help to reassure myslef etc.
Calm down, or we'll hunt you down and make you listen to LHUCKS talk about the PAC-10!
Really, it's no big deal. It's just a race. It sounds like you've been training well, so you'll be fine. Just think of it as just another training run. Sure, you'll have nervous energy, we all do. Just be sure to reign it in when the gun goes off. Your designs on a 10minute pace will go out the window if you burn off that first mile in 7minutes.
Questions:
1-I have been running at 5am and doing my long ones at 4am. The race starts at 7:30am. I am not a big breakfast eater but I fee ike I am going to need to aet something. Can you guys reccommend something that won't bite me? What about a snickers?
Marathon rule #1: Now is the time to experiment, not on October 7th at 6am. As previously mentioned, Powerbars, bagels, toast, banana, etc. Peanut butter on the bagel/toast is good, with a dab of jelly to sweeten it up. Personally, my pre-race breakfast has evolved into oatmeal (brown sugar and maple :yummy: ). You need to find what works for you. Google for marathon training tips for further suggestions (also runnersworld.com, active.com/running for training articles). You'll be running 26.2 miles, so you need to fill the gas tank before you hit the road.
2-Do I need my ID to sign in for the race or anything? I am planning on not bringing anything. Will that work?
You should receive a confirmation letter of some sort a couple weeks before the race. It'll tell you what you need. The marathon website should also provide this info. Most likely, you'll need your ID to pick up your packet, as tri-man posted. Once at the starting line, your number is your ID. No number, no running. Even if you did bring something (change of clothes, rain gear, post-race snack/drink, etc), many of the big races these days have a "gear check". You get a bag with your packet, put your stuff in it, tag it with your race number, and hand it over to the UPS guys. They'll meet you at the finish line. Do bring some sort of ID on your person (e.g. a shoe tag with next of kin info), you know, in case they need to identify your corpse at the 17mi marker.
3-This is my 1st one and I would just appreciate any advice. Will there be enough water/gatorade stops on the Chicago marathon to keep me hydrated? So I won't need to carry fluids?
See the website linked in #2. The course map and everything you need to know is there. This is a big race, so they take care of you, big time.
4-I am ordering a very cheap belt to hold my gels in. Is this an issue? The cheap ones will work? By the way, gels rock.
If you must, go ahead. However, get used to it now. October 7th at 7am is not the time to try it out for the first time. Never anything new on race day. This race will have Gatorade Endurance as the drink on the course. Try it now during a longer run to make sure it your stomach can handle it. Back to the gel belt -- if you want to be VERY cheap, a couple of safety pins will work as well. Pin through the tear-off tab right to your shorts. Personally, I carry mine in a ziplock bag, along with a couple of Tylenol. Five gels works out to about a handful for me, just right. The only problem is that it can get sweaty, so I change hands often.
Thanks guys. Please mention anything you take for granted that a 1st timer wouldn't know about.
Be outgoing. Talk with your fellow runners. Encourage them, especially later in the race. However, take care to leave alone the ones that want to be left alone. Nothing's sadder than a runner with a stick up their butt, but to each his own.
Put your name on the front of your running jersey/shirt. The crowd will then encourage you by name. It's a real boost.
Bodyglide or Vaseline if you have any chafing issues (nips, thighs, etc).
Study the course map. Look for hills, etc. If you'll have friends/family there to cheer you on, figure out the best places for them to meet you. Every 5-10miles is good. Also, tell them to park/travel on the OUTSIDE of the course. If they get stuck inside, it'll be tough to get out.
Get your gear ready THE NIGHT BEFORE. Pin your number to your shirt. Attach the timing chip to your shoe. Lay out everything so you can get dressed and go. You don't want to be hunting for something at 5am on raceday. If you're from out of town and staying at a hotel, test the alarm clock before you turn in. Use your cell phone's alarm clock. Get a wake-up call. Turn in early and get a good night's rest.
Fuel up on carbs the night before (pasta!). Again, it depends on what your stomach can handle. No new exotic foods for that meal. If you're just DYING to try the Chocolate Squid Flambe', save it until AFTER the race. No Mexican/spicy/curry food, unless you want a nuclear butthole at mile5. You want foods that'll be digested fairly quickly/easily. No 72oz steak that'll sit in your stomach for a month. Again, you know what you can tolerate, so just give it some thought, and test it out now.
You will probably be assigned a 'corral' for the start. This just groups everyone by pace, and allows for an organized start. You don't need to get into your corral at 6am. A 10min pace is a 4:22 marathon, so you'll likely be back in the pack a ways. It may take 10-15mins or more after the gun goes off before you'll even sniff the start line. Use this time to go to the bathroom one last time, as the lines should be gone because everyone else is freaking out and running back to get into their corral. You're being timed on a chip, so it doesn't matter if you're around when the gun goes off. Your time starts when you actually cross the start line.
If for some reason it's cold, a trash bag is a cheap windbreaker. Wear it until you start running, then tear it off and toss it to the curb. Or, get some cheap clothes from Goodwill, then strip them off and toss to the side. Toss completely off the course so other runners aren't tripping over your castoffs. Many races will collect the clothes afterwards and donate to charity. If it's raining, deal with it. If you have a chance to run in the rain now, do it so you'll have that experience under your belt. Avoid the puddles as best you can. No sense soaking your entire foot and carrying the weight of that water for 26miles, and also you don't know what sort of pothole lurks under the water.
Try and run in the center of the road, or the crown. It'll be flattest, and will take it easier on your legs/hips. It'll also be dryest if it's raining, as water runs downhill. Look for the flat part of the road in your training as well.
I think that about covers it.