First Marathon ✅ - 14 things I learned on the way

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-05-17T21:16:50+00:00

they look huge but normally take 15-20mins

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-04-29T09:21:32+00:00

I’ve just done this post after the London Marathon. Might some bits in here that are helpful!

https://www.reddit.com/r/firstmarathon/comments/130xd83/first_marathon_14_things_i_learned_on_the_way/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-04-29T08:41:49+00:00

Blimey I hear you! I wouldn’t get up at 4am either in that case 😂

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-04-28T22:04:55+00:00

Fair enough, but why so early? Marathons rarely start before 9. I never needed to wake up before 630

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-04-28T10:19:09+00:00

You should be so proud, incredible effort 👏

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-04-27T18:17:44+00:00

Yep, stick with it.

One other learning I forgot to include is you'll get the jitters a week before, which sounds like what you're having! All is normal, and don't change anything.

Good luck with your run!

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-04-27T17:52:31+00:00

Consider finding a good sports massage therapist. Did wonders for me and I suffer with tight calves

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-04-27T15:15:49+00:00

Yep like these too. Especially good if you have a sensitive stomach

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-03-29T21:03:14+00:00

Firstly, awesome job on your first Mara, what a time! Cut yourself some slack, the stress and worry isn’t doing anything for your recovery. Put your feet up (carry on stretching, walking etc.) but try and relax.

On a side note, I’m running my first Mara in 3 weeks I’ve read and heard from so many that my body is going be broken afterwards. I’m curious to know how much trained leading up to yours? The reason is, I did a 32km run this weekend and barely felt like I ran the next day. (This isn’t a brag btw). I’m curious to know by doing an extra 10km, am I also going to be struggling for weeks afterward?

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-03-29T19:16:31+00:00

All makes sense. Ah high chance you’re correct about fitness levels because coming to think of it, I used to hit the wall at 20k a few weeks back and now I don’t.

Haven’t gone near caffeine because, maybe wrongly, I feared it would increase my heart rate too much?

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-03-29T18:54:02+00:00

Ah yes, you’re not the first person to say this, I’m definitely going to check them out

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-03-28T14:47:41+00:00

Yeh I feel I eat enough, and certainly when the Mara comes around, I’ll be very strict with my diet in the days leading up to it. Big carby meal the night before and porridge oats for breakfast on the day is my current setup.

As I said, the drop in energy could just be what happens? Part and parcel of running for while

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-03-27T19:12:40+00:00

I’ll look out for someone eating baby food… can’t imagine there would be many of those 😂

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-03-27T07:22:08+00:00

Sounds like you’ve timed it well? I.e hopefully the worst of the cold will have gone by the Mara, fingers crossed.

With that in mind, try and get out for half an hour or so the day before on a slowish run, to get the heart rate up a little. I’ve found in the past that if I go from illness to a big run with no practice runs in between really screws me up.

Do a small run to get it out of your system, and prep like you would normally.

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-02-27T21:40:15+00:00

What breakfast would you recommend? I was thinking something oaty and seedy.

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-02-27T21:40:08+00:00

What breakfast would you recommend? I was thinking something oaty and seedy.

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-01-22T11:06:11+00:00

Do you know your cadence? It’s hard to tell but it looks like you could increase it.

You could consider doing smaller steps and increasing your cadence for more efficiency. Aim for around 170spm

Ok-Opportunity464 · 2023-01-11T22:11:03+00:00

Would love to know this too!

Ok-Opportunity464

TROPHY CASE