Marathon Advice

[A Pac]

I need some help/advice. I am running my first marathon on June 2nd in South Bend. It is through Sunburst Races and it has been going on for almost 30 years. It's really cool because racers get to run through the stadium and finish on the 50 yard line (that right there should be motivation enough for any Notre Dame fan to do it).

I wanted to know if anyone has done this race and if so, the hardest part of the course. Here is the map of last year's race Welcome to the Memorial Sunburst Races | Memorial Sunburst Races | Annual marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K runs, and walks in South Bend, Indiana, benefiting Memorial Children's Hospital.
If anyone knows the lay of the land, please let me know what exactly I will be running by and what scenery to look out for.

Also, if anyone else out there has run in marathons please let me know of any advice you have. I am also running a second one in the inaugural Canton marathon 15 days later (probably not a good idea). Please let me know of any advice you has for rest between races.

 

[eNDzone]

I thought I heard that they were not ending on the field this year because of the contruction on the tunnel end of the stadium.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Lieutenant Dan's advice:

Look, it's pretty basic here. You stick with me and learn from the guys who've been in country a while, you'll be all right. There is one item of G.I. Gear that can be the difference between life and death. Socks. Cushioned sole, O.D. Green. Try and keep your feet dry. When we're out humpin', change your socks whenever we stop. The Mekong will eat a grunt's feet right off his legs.

Good luck on your run!

Remember, keep those feet dry!

 

[irishog77]

Pickle juice.

Are the 2 runs both full ones??? In the heat of summer, no less. Only 15 days between 26.2 miles will be extremely tough on your body. I'd advise not doing anything for a week after the 1st, and then only a couple of 3-5 mile runs that second week.

Good luck!

 

[irish4ever]

I need some help/advice. I am running my first marathon on June 2nd in South Bend. It is through Sunburst Races and it has been going on for almost 30 years. It's really cool because racers get to run through the stadium and finish on the 50 yard line (that right there should be motivation enough for any Notre Dame fan to do it).

I wanted to know if anyone has done this race and if so, the hardest part of the course. Here is the map of last year's race Welcome to the Memorial Sunburst Races | Memorial Sunburst Races | Annual marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K runs, and walks in South Bend, Indiana, benefiting Memorial Children's Hospital.
If anyone knows the lay of the land, please let me know what exactly I will be running by and what scenery to look out for.

Also, if anyone else out there has run in marathons please let me know of any advice you have. I am also running a second one in the inaugural Canton marathon 15 days later (probably not a good idea). Please let me know of any advice you has for rest between races.

Advice: yeah, don't do it.

 

[A Pac]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I'm pretty sure they end on the 50 yard line (or they'd better be prepared to pay!). I'm not thinking 2 in 15 days because I won't be actually racing. I just want to finish both. I in no way care about meeting a certain time. Hopefully I'm able to recover in enough time.

 

[A Pac]

I thought I heard that they were not ending on the field this year because of the contruction on the tunnel end of the stadium.

This is from the website:

The 50-yard-line of Notre Dame Stadium will once again serve as the official finish line for the 2012 Sunburst Races.
The finish line had temporarily changed to Alumni Soccer Stadium due to construction inside the football stadium this summer. Due to the unusually warm weather in the area, construction crews were able to finish up their work well ahead of time, allowing Sunburst Races to once again end inside the football stadium.

 

[maison bleu]

Also, if anyone else out there has run in marathons please let me know of any advice you have. I am also running a second one in the inaugural Canton marathon 15 days later (probably not a good idea). Please let me know of any advice you has for rest between races.

My number one piece of advice for new marathoners is "Learn to eat while you're running." Doesn't need to be fancy expensive Power Bars or Power Gel. I did a 25 mile training run the other day, during which I consumed a bottle of flat Sprite (240 cals), a mashed potato in a ziplock back with a corner cut off, so that I could squeeze it out (250-300 cals), and a box of Junior Mints (210 cals). You should incorporate whatever you plan to eat into your longer training runs to make sure that it doesn't upset your stomach.

I've been doing a 25 miler nearly every weekend for months now (I know, I have a problem!), so you can definitely bounce back with two weeks off. I would recommend resting most of those days, with maybe two or three short runs (3 or so miles?) mixed in--the extra blood flow that short runs stimulate can help you recover.

However tough your runs are, it's gotta be easy than being married to a Bucknut fan!

 

[IrishInFl]

Advice: yeah, don't do it.

^THIS

If you enjoy the possibility of pissing and $hitting yourself, losing toenails, and dehydration, by all means, run a marathon.

 

[RuntheBall]

Tip one: dont do a marathon in june in south bend
Tip two: Sure as hell dont try one 15 days later. First it will give you an excuse to not finish the first one. Second, you wont be able to finish the 2nd (unless you are really good and crazy)
Tip three: DRINK ALOT. Especially in the humidity. Learn to drink while running (and eat as other have mentioned).
Tip four: Get in your long runs (if you havent already). For a June 2 race you should go long maybe this next weekend before starting to ramp it down.
Tip five: Do "easy" sprints. (Striders) Concentrate on your form as you do them. They dont have to be hard. Just try to go as fast while also not running hard.Loose/ relaxed. The most forgotten part of marathon training. Really helps.
Tip six: Pacing is key. If you go out to hard you either wont finish, or youll really regret going out hard.
Tip 6.2: Don't forget about the last 6.2, they are the hardest miles. The point where you "hit the wall" glycogen stores are deplete and you get that week feeling. Accordingly, even if you feel great at 15 miles, dont go crazy- maybe pick the pace up a bit, but stay within reason.
Tip 7: Do some harder workouts. Try to run 10-13 miles at your goal pace. Also useful are yasso's 800's (google them if you havent heard of them).

Good luck!
Ill hopefully be completing my first marathon this summer too as a part of my training. I wont be paying the crazy fee's. Just me my shorts, socks, shoes, watch, and nature.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Wow, two marathons in that short of time??? Not a great idea. I have done 9 myself, and have coached another 15 runners on their 35 plus marathons.

I would ice bath after your race, and then start slow running ASAP after your race. Very slow, to work out all of the problems you will have in soreness.

I would recommend very highly using GU or other gels for your race. But, you want to try them before you run. Be very careful on not trying anything new during the race.

Tip 6 and 7 earlier are very good.

IF you haven't put in the longer miles now, it may be too late. But, you can try to put some in the next couple of weekends. Time is running very short (pun intended

Anyhow, have fun.

 

[arahop]

My advice is to drink a lot of jameson the night before the race. Once you wake up.... One more shot, then have at it! At least that's the way I would approach the marathon.

 

[phork]

NM..

 

[IrishJayhawk]

1. I think the advice to eat while running is pretty good. You're training, so you probably understand that. But, you need fuel. And that means more than just water or Gatorade.

2. Start slowly. You'll have adrenaline coming out your pores. Save it. Pick your ideal first mile pace now...maybe even take about 15-30 seconds off of it. Remember...it's a marathon.

3. Enjoy the experience. There is NOTHING on earth like running a marathon. The camaraderie is amazing. Enjoy it.
3a. Time is a secondary goal. Finish your first marathon and have a great experience.

Best of luck!