I love Mainly Marathons. I fell in love with the series on Day 2 of the very first series I did in 2013. I’d found my tribe. All the crazies that were running around in circles for a ridiculous number of miles each day? These are my people.
I’ve now done four full series and parts of two others. I’ve done 25 half marathons and 2 marathons with them (and now I’m looking at doing a 50K with them in the fall.) Obviously I love running races with Mainly Marathons or I would not go back each year. But there are some things I’ve learned while doing these races that are useful to know going in. And if you haven’t decided you want to run a series, go read my 5 reasons to run a Mainly Marathons series and then come back.
- The courses will be longer than 13.1 and 26.2. Count on it. Some of this is because it’s impossible to run the tangents and you are running that same poorly run tangent multiple times. But it’s better to be long than short when it comes to counting state races, so it’s all good. Just know it’s going to happen, accept it, and enjoy your race.
- There will be one race where the weather is the biggest challenge. Sometimes the whole series will be a weather challenge. I’ve run in 9* weather, suffered through a hot and humid race, and run through shin high puddles in a torrential downpour. Shockingly, the worst weather at my most recent series was just really windy. Compared to some of the other Mainly Marathons races, this was nothing. Embrace your inner badass and enjoy the challenge.
- There will be a course you don’t like. All of the courses have their pluses and minuses and all of them are unique. There are cement courses, paved courses, dirt paths, grass paths, trails, gravel, and combinations of all of the above. Some courses are flat as a pancake. Some have wicked hard hills. But here’s the thing: I can tell you which courses I loved. But those may not be the same ones you love.
- You will probably gain weight. Norm’s cooking is amazing. And the food table has all the foods you could possibly want. It’s like running an ultra, except you aren’t actually running an ultra (unless, of course, you are doing the 50k). In addition to my staple race food (rice krispy treats), I also ate paninis, quesadillas, pancakes, french toast, cookies, various soups, fried rice…
- You need to book your hotels early. Mainly Marathons mostly races in small towns. Many of these towns have only a few hotels. Sometimes these hotels sell out. I’ve been on the wrong side of that equation a couple of times and I don’t recommend being there. But if you book early, you can often get awesome accommodations for really reasonable prices.
I’m already trying to figure out my next series. Eventually I will do them all, but it’s getting harder and harder to schedule a week away with all of the kids’ activities. Given the withdrawal symptoms I’m having though, I’ll find a way to do another one before too long.
Have you ever done a multi day race series? If you have, what have you done? If not, why not?
Today, I’m linking up for my usual Friday Five with Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia. Stop by and see what everyone else is up to!
And don’t forget to join us for Tuesdays on the Run! This week we want to hear about the favorite race in your area. Also, I’ll be updating the list for June this weekend. Feel free to throw ideas my way.
LOL on gaining weight. It sure looks like those pounds are worth it! I’ve never even traveled for one race. Maybe some day ….
Coco recently posted…May Runfessions — Running Less And Eating More?
Must have been hard to decide which five things to focus on seeing Mainly Marathons is so unique. You will be happy to hear that the MA course will be changing for next year.
I have to admit, I’ll be happy to not run that course again when we do our year of all the series. ;o)
When is your of all MM Series? Ours will be 2018.
Not until hubby retires, so at least 4 years from now. Sigh.
Looks like you had a fabulous time and congrats again! I have no idea how you would possibly gain weight with all that exercise
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Why I won’t be running a marathon
It is difficult to believe but I put on 4.3 lbs after last year’s a Independence Series (7 halfs in 7 days in 7 states). Since it is an out-and-back loop course and the loop has the food and hydration tables, the opportunity is always there to grab good food for each loop.: However, after this year’s New England Series (we only did 3 out of 7), I did not gain any.
So many opportunities to eat and you are so hungry from all the miles. I didn’t gain this time, but I didn’t lose either (which is good – meant I fueled enough to run strong.)
You are definitely a dedicated runner. I admire that!
I really don’t think I’d enjoy doing multiple loops, not to mention all the driving involved. We don’t like driving.
It’s really too bad you were so close by, but I was in the midst of traveling myself.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…5 Race Mug Criteria
My husband loves to drive, so I only got to drive one time LOL. I love the loops, except on the few days when I don’t love the course. But even then the people make it worthwhile.
Good write up! See you at another MM race.
I’ve done a thing where you run a short distance (5k/8k, etc) one day and then a half or full the next but nothing like your series. When I read your posts, I always wonder how I’d do with the loop course!
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Five Great Things about Long Weekends
You are a social runner. You’d have fun. It’s all about chatting with friends. (And then when you want to go fast, you chase the fast kids…)
I don’t think I’ve ever run the tangents in my races, so I’m always running long. I don’t know if I managed in my last race because I forgot to stop my watch when I crossed the finish line so it picked up me getting my medal, and going to the med tent for ice.
Lesley recently posted…Memorial Day Weekend
I love following you on this quest! Sounds fun. But there’s no way my body could stand up to the challenge. Sigh. I think you are super human.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Runfessions: It’s May!
MM rocks. I am just over a week away from the Heartland Series (for the 3rd time!) and am getting overly excited to see everyone (and eat Norm’s food!) again. <3
wow, didn’t realize this was such a thing! Kudos again to you for participating in these. Must be fun!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…5 Ways to Celebrate Global Running Day!
Gah, I want to do one of these so badly! Somehow I’ve got to convince my husband to take a week off and drive me from state to state. LOL.
HoHo Runs recently posted…Happy Memorial Day (WW # 43)