This past weekend marked the finish of my 5th marathon. I’d like to think that the marathons have taught me something.
- Core work is key! My back was more sore than my legs when I got done with the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday.
- It is possible to run a marathon with a long run of only 15 miles. I would not recommend it unless you are an experienced runner and are doing heavy daily mileage. I think if I had been able to complete the full Hansons plan, I would have had a strong marathon finish.
- Mental strength plays a huge roll. Last week at Runner’s World, Deena Kastor talked about using positive talk to get through a hard race. (Yes, even the pros do it.) I kept telling myself I could run for one more minute each time I got tired. It totally worked.
- Active recovery helps with post-marathon soreness. I walked for 3 miles after the marathon to get home. This helped me stretch out some of the tightness in my legs. I was super tired and sore that night, but the more I moved on Monday, the easier it became to move. I am now convinced that easy movement = diminished DOMS.
- Hydration can make or break a race. I always feel like I’m hydrating well, but when I hit about 18 miles, suddenly I can’t get enough. Luckily, I’ve always had plenty of drink options at the races I’ve run, but I have to wonder if I drank more earlier if I’d feel better. Or maybe I could actually someday run a marathon that stays cool. Winter marathon, anyone?
- I haven’t had any desire to run since Sunday. I am, however, becoming a super cranky mom. Looks like there will be a run in the very near future.
- I’d love to run another marathon (that took how many days to come back???), but I’m not ready to go through training for one again. I wish I had the time and money to race so frequently that I wouldn’t need to train. Sadly, not all the case here. I’m such a failure as a Marathon Maniac LOL.
- I discovered on Wednesday night that I was down to one nuun tablet. I may have gone on amazon and bought enough more to get the free same day delivery. It arrived before noon on Thursday. Crisis averted.
- I worked out with a trainer on Wednesday. I may be able to run 26.2, but apparently I can’t do suicide sprints and jump on a block for a minute straight.
- Judging by the pictures taken of me by friends and the professional photographers, I ran Marine Corps Marathon with my eyes closed and both feet on the ground. A gazelle, I am not.
Happy Friday to all of you. Enjoy your Halloween weekend – we’ll be celebrating with Shoo as he hits double digits.
As per usual, I’m linking up with the DC Trifecta: Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney. For fun, I’m also linking up with Marcia for Runfessions.
Great tips! I normally don’t run more that 15 in a training cycle since I usually maintain high mileage Weekly. My sis is not going to run more than 15 either this time around. She thinks that running too much last time may have been due to her injury.
lacey@fairytalesandfitness.com recently posted…5 Things about the Tussey Mountain 50 Miler
I really liked the Hansons plan. I’m hoping next time to follow it closer and see if that helps with the tiredness at the end.
Nunn crisis! Nooooooo! That made me laugh. And the wee one made me smile. Congrats on MCM!
Patty recently posted…My Favorite Halloween Costumes | Friday Five
I’m addicted. I live on the stuff.
Heck, even if you walked every freaking step finishing a marathon is still freaking awesome & I’ve never done one.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Four Truths & a Lie
I totally agree. It’s a long long ways LOL.
I could never run a marathon with just a 15 mile long run. It just would not give me the confidence that I could finish 26.2 on race day. I also agree that active moment in the hours and days after a marathon really help with recovery. If you are looking for a flat and fast winter marathon come to Wilmington, NC for the Quintiles Marathon. It is a great course and the one where I earned my BQ!
Pam and Christine recently posted…Goals for NYC Marathon
For me it’s mental – I know I can finish a marathon, so the shorter long run on really tired legs works for me.
I’m there with you on fitness specificity. My first strength workout after not having done one in a while (despite having super strong triathlon and cycling legs) kicked my tail so bad that I couldn’t lower myself to sitting normally for a few days.
Kelli recently posted…Run-fessions after a running hiatus…
Yes! I needed to roll out of bed after a workout with my trainer.
After 9 marathons I still don’t have hydration right. I seem to need a Nuun IV after mile 18 or so. I also have the urge to get more bang for my training buck with more races on the same training. Alas that never works out.
Thanks for linking up!
Marcia recently posted…Comment on Runfession Friday: Post-Marathon Haze by Kelli
I hear you, except for me it’s gatorade. I don’t eat much during a race, so by mile 18 I’m all about liquid calories.
Great tips! Have you seen the new RW book on training your brain? It’s really awesome. And speaking of awesome, Amazon is amazing! And so are you for doing so well at MCM!
Coco recently posted…Five Reasons To Cheer On Marathon Runners
Yes, I was given it at RW half, so I plan to read it soon.
100% agree that you don’t need a 20 miler to run a marathon. But yes, you should have some experience under your belt before you attempt one without it.
Apparently I too run with my eyes closed!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Runfessions: Hold on to that feelin’
LOL on the eyes.
Yep, I never would have done Hansons if I hadn’t already run 2 marathons this year. Now I’m sold on it.
I always try an active recovery. I sat so much after my first half I was so sore for days. I had to walk and walk and after my second and recovery was so much easier.
Lesley recently posted…Favorite Halloween Costumes
Yep, active recovery is awesome. I can totally tell a difference when I’m able to move a lot versus having to be sedentary.
Great lessons! And a good reminder that I really need to keep up with my core work.
Chaitali recently posted…Friday 5 – motivational running songs
Yes, learn from my mistakes.
There’s no way I could ever be a marathon maniac! I just ran my first a few weeks ago, and I’m planning on running another one in May – maybe October of next year, too. I think that’s probably enough for me! I definitely need the rest time and the build up in training.
Alison recently posted…Friday Confession
I think if I had the time and money, I’d rock being a maniac. I love the races – just hate the long training runs.
i too am starting to think about what marathon might be next 🙂
courtney @ eat pray run dc recently posted…Five Things To Love about the Marine Corps Marathon
Mine will be a while from now. I need to focus on some stuff besides running for a while.
If you think you are super cranky, can you imagine how I am with this stupid injury? Pure meanness. Straight up. My family is just trying to steer clear at this point. Awww, look at your little dinosaur! How cute!
HoHo Runs recently posted…Five Runfessions (October)
I hear you. BTDT.
I’m totally with you on the core work. Both my back and lower abs were sore after Melbourne marathon. Definitely something to work on before my next.
Char recently posted…Crises, Questions and Dilemmas
My trainer had me doing incline sit-ups last week. I could do 3. Oy.
Not that I’ve ever run a full marathon, but I’m totally with you on #3-5! I never would’ve guessed #2, but I’m definitely not a seasoned runner, so therein lies the problem, hehehe.
P.S. That’s an adorable costume! :]!
Farrah recently posted…Foodie Friday: Cauliflower Tots
I would not have had the guts to do such short long runs if I hadn’t run a few marathons already.
I have never done a marathon without doing a 20 miler a few weeks beforehand, but I can definitely see that with the right weekly mileage and training, it may not be a necessity for everyone to do. Every body and every runner is different!
Megan @ Meg Go Run recently posted…Half Marathon Training: Speed Work
I didn’t even complete the last 3 weeks of training, so I’d love to see what really following the training plan would do for me. I just hate being out there training for 4 hours, so “just” doing 3 was awesome.
Great list. Hydration is really important. For me I find I need more often than stops provide, so I always carry my own for in between. I’m also a huge believer in active recovery, which works well when you still have a honey-do list for post race, haha.
John @ run. geek. run(disney) recently posted…Why to Apply to be a BibRave Pro | #FridayFive
Yeah, as a parent/spouse, resting often is not an option. Good thing it’s good to move LOL.
I agree with the core work! My core was probably as sore as my legs at mile 18 of my marathon yesterday! I think every marathon brings a new lesson, so, obviously you have to do another soon!
Steena recently posted…Rails to Trails Marathon
Ha,ha. Someday. Not soon.
Mental strength was a big downfall for me this go around! I definitely need to work on that. I may need to borrow that Runner’s World book from you!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Cookies and a Fit Body Bakery Giveaway
You are totally welcome to it when I’m done. I know my mental state played a huge roll in how I felt about MCM.