A couple of posts back I shared how I’ve run a number of marathons over the past couple of years and gave some tips on training for a marathon. In this post I’m going to give some tips on running a marathon race. Apply these tips to your next marathon race and they will definitely help you get across the finish line faster.
1. It is important to look ahead while running and be aware of an upcoming water station. Depending on how big the race is you often will have people running alongside you. You will want to start making your way to the side slowly so you don’t have to change your stride much. During a marathon I personally like to take at least a sip of water at each station.
2. You will want to eat a regular breakfast at least 2 and a half hours before the race. Marathons usually start very early in the morning to avoid having runners out in the heat of the day too long. You will need to get to bed early the night before the marathon so you can get enough sleep with the early wake up for breakfast.
3. You are going to want to try and have a bowel movement before the race. This should not be a problem since you are getting up with plenty of time to spare to eat breakfast along with the prerace nerves. It would be the worst to have to find a leaf… Enough said.
4. Make sure you don’t take off too fast early in the race. Pacing for a marathon can be very difficult and it is important to not run too hard too early just because you are feeling great at the start of the race.
5. You will want to eat lots of carbohydrates in the couple of days leading up to the race including your breakfast the day of the race. I prefer to eat lots of fruit and rice to avoid overloading on gluten from pasta and bread. Also drink lots of water leading up to the race so you are totally hydrated at the start line.
6. On the morning of the marathon get to the race early enough to get to the front of your corral. The corrals can be pretty large and being at the back of your corral can really slow you down at the start of the marathon if there are slower runners ahead of you.
7. Be prepared to take a pee or #2 behind random objects while waiting for the race to start. Nerves before the start of the race often make people need to use the washroom. Anything is fair game when going to the washroom prerace. Just be careful not to step in a puddle.
8. Have an old second hand sweater and pair of jogging pants to wear before the race in the cooler months. These articles of clothing can be tossed to the side of the corrals before the race starts. You want to keep your body warm and comfortable prerace.
Keep these tips in mind as race day gets close. Best of luck running your marathon.
If you have any other tips others would find useful please post them in the comments section.
To your health!
Jesse
