With just a couple days until the marathon — I am now in Orlando!! This shit is REAL! — I’m just really trying to prepare mentally for Sunday. Physically I think I’m set, but a couple things are still on my mind, so I’m turning to you, any readers who have completed a marathon!
The main thing worrying me is the Wall. Of course. My book had a whole chapter on it, and I read it, but I would love to hear from you guys on how it felt, what you did to deal, etc. And this may be a really stupid question, but once it hits, will it go away? Like, if you hit it at mile 20, are you just screwed for the last six miles of the race? Or can a little gel kick in and save you?
My second question is, what did you feel like afterward physically? How was it compared to other running experiences? Did you take an ice bath/do you recommend it? How did you feel over the next couple days?
And last, if you have done Disney before, what are the post-race logistics like? How hard is it to find your people? Any advice for spectators?? I will have a phone on me, but my phone tends to die on runs, so I want to have a back-up plan!
All your comments so far have helped a ton and have been so motivating, so please don’t lurk — jump on in!
I’m just getting settled in at the amazing house where we’re staying and then I think we are going to hit the Expo and the infamous Publix the Southern bloggers are always mentioning. And the consensus seems to be that the jacket should, in fact, be bedazzled for Sunday sooo we might be looking for a Jo Ann’s while we’re at it!
Have a great afternoon!
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t have any advice but I just wanted to tell you good luck!! I can’t wait to read the recap!!
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..Easy is, uh, good =-.
Good luck! I’m sure you’ll do great. I think the key is to relax and enjoy all your hard work. I’ve not hit the wall during a race, but did during a training run. My legs basically felt like lead and just didn’t want to keep moving. I got through the rest of my run, but was hurting at the end. A clinic instructor once told me that you have about 30 seconds to talk yourself out of “the wall,” so just keep with the positive thinking and will yourself through it – There is no wall!!
I’ve run two marathons and took an ice bath after the second one – totally worth it! I was must less sore the day of and the days after.
Have a great race! You’ve earned it!
Have so much fun with the race, Rachel! I truly believe that there IS no real “wall.” The wall is as big as you make it in your head.
That said, if I reach a point during a run where every step takes a lot of effort, or I get some kind of painful cramp, I always tell myself, “This feeling is not going to last forever.” And turns out? It never does. It always goes away. The sooner I realize that it will go away, the faster it does. Anyway, best of luck, and hopefully we can catch up when you get back!
.-= Leah (Nutritionista)´s last blog ..My Top Ten Food Trends of 2010 =-.
best of luck! i’ve enjoyed reading all about your crazy running adventures. I hope you have an amazing time during this race!
I’ve never ran a marathon so nothing there but I just wanted to wish you good luck!!!! You are going to be fantastic!
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Taco, Taco, Taco =-.
I have only done one marathon, but I definitely hit the wall. I went out too fast and was feeling awesome until mile 15. Then I was getting tired and was having to walk more. Around mile 22 I thought my legs were going to fall off. That’s where I think I hit the wall, but some guy was handing out gummy bears at some point and those helped. So you can definitely come back from it.
As far as how I felt the next few days, sore as hell. Walking was not really fun and stairs were not an option.
.-= Jess´s last blog ..Cruise crackdown =-.
My mary was a little different because I was already injured going in, and I knew there would be a lot of walking involved. I did, however, jog most of the race up until the last 4 miles….but I definitely experienced the “wall” phenomenon.
At mile 20, I literally cried. I was rounding a lake, my hips and feet were killing me, my arms had been rubbed raw, I had a pounding headache from dehydration, my IT band was screaming out in pain, and I wanted to curl up in a ball next to the lake and just be invisible. I had no idea how to get back to my hotel, and I was in one of the sketchiest areas of Baltimore, but at that point I didn’t care. I was ready to live on the streets.
The only thing that pulled me back into the race was a man who ran by me wearing a shirt that said this on the back:
“I was born in 1918. This is my 60th marathon.”
Not only did I get distracted because I had to do the mental math, but um…excuse me…he was 91 years old. NINETY ONE years old. He was still jogging. I was walking.
So, with that moment in mind, I decided that my lazy injured 32 year old ass could stop crying and start jogging.
You’re going to do great–you’re ready for this. Just focus on staying in the present. Don’t think about how far you have left to go or how far you’ve gone already–just let yourself be present in the moment.
.-= Elisabeth´s last blog ..Discussion: Change Your Mind, Change Your Body =-.
After my first half-marathon (no plans for a full) I slept for the entire day. And was sore. But, what can you do.
I don’t think anyone has responded to your questions about the post-race at Disney. There are lots of resources for spectators and I believe they have pamphlets that tell you where to go in Disney to catch a glimpse of your runner. When you finish, you’ll finish through a huge chute with stands on either side, and then you’ll go through to the food area, which will be runners-only. A good place to meet up is by the actual stands themselves–you would have to walk back from the food to the viewing area, though, after having run a marathon
. It’s a good landmark. However, easiest of all, the pre-race area will have several signs set up with letters on them. These are where you can meet your family. You just stand under the sign that corresponds to your last name.
For spectators, the chEAR squad is awesome! And definitely sign up for texted splits from your runner, since that way you’ll have an idea of where they are on the course.
.-= Anna´s last blog ..MSU Trounces the Wisconsin Floppers =-.
I’m so excited for you!!
I think Leah’s right on about the wall being a mental construct in many ways, and from what I’ve read on this blog, you’ll have no trouble smashing through any wall that comes up. When I have let myself become overwhelmed during any running experience, it isn’t because the miles themselves are an issue, it is because I’m making them a lot bigger than they need to be.
From a physical perspective, even in my absolute favorite/best marathon experiences I’d say by mile 23/24, running HURT. But I was so overwhelmed with the joy of almost being done and how far I’d come, it was okay. Music and keeping in mind that I was smashing a goal, helped keep me pumped and putting one foot ahead of the next. And look around at your fellow runners, they’re really inspiring too!
For me, post-race, icing has been somewhat helpful, but also trying to keep some movement in your routine (even day of) for an active recovery. You’re going to be sore (just wait until you have to go down stairs! :p ) and it can be hard to try to stay even a little bit limber, but don’t halt all movement. I think being at Disney will probably help with this – in San Francisco, I refused to stay put in my room because I wanted to see the city, and that walking did end up helping me a bit.
Have faith in the training you’ve done, and keep your mind set on the finish. You will be smiling across that line at the end!!
Can’t wait to read about it
I didn’t hit the wall when I ran my marathon. My advice on avoiding the wall: eat/drink every calorie that you are offered during the race! I also ate to GU’s that I brought myself.
Afterwards, my legs were immediately sore. Like I’d never felt before. ( I wasn’t ever sore after my long runs.) I went back the the hotel, took a shower, and decided that I was going to go shopping. Not 5 minutes into the shopping, I felt weak and sick. My dad too me to the Chick-fil-A drive through, and I layed in bed for the rest of the day! I don’t have a clue how people can be out and about on the same day that they’ve run a marathon!
I think a lot of the “wall” is mental. I’ve done 7 marathons including an Ironman triathlon and there comes a point in every marathon when it just gets HARD. It was different every time for me but for sure the last few miles will be the hardest. The thing that works for me is just to take it a mile at a time, every time I hit a mile marker in those last miles I’d just think “ok, I can do ONE more mile” and then the next one would be there. Also, as much as you want to, don’t walk during those last miles it is so, so, hard to get started running again if you do.
Get a good night’s sleep tonight because you will probably have a fitful sleep tomorrow night.
After the marathon my legs are usually not too bad but I always feel just an overwhelming body ache and exhaustion that catches up with me a few hours after the marathon. And I usually don’t sleep well unless I take a tylenol pm or something. I’m usually sore for about two days and run again after about 4-5 days off.
Just as easily as you can psych yourself out of doing well, you can psych yourself into it. On race morning, remind yourself of all those long runs you did, think about the runs where you felt great, think about how cool you will feel crossing the finish line, and don’t even entertain the option of not finishing. Go into it knowing you will finish and you will.
Have a great time and try and smile every time you see a race photographer!
I have never ran more then 12km.
One thing which I found helped me, which a friend who had ran 3 ironmans told me, is if you’re struggling..focus on one thing in front of you…get there..then move to the next thing.
one foot in front of the other.
don’t be afraid. you are strong enough to overcome anything.
.-= Michelle @ Eatingjourney´s last blog ..8 years to do =-.
First, I think you’ve done something brilliant, by not only training well, but tapering well. I didn’t my first marathon and I think it cost me (I q’d for Boston but the payback on my body was huge). However, this may make you even more prone to what I mentioned before and other people have as well. You WILL have the “I am a Golden Goddess!” moment, especially because your body is so much more rested than usual, especially between miles 8-12. And you SHOULD enjoy it, and it is crazily fun. You should also watch your splits and heart rate and prepare for round 2.
Preparing for round 2 means drinking water as often as is convenient, after the first stations which are just traffic jams and will annoy you. Do not think you must or should drink all the water. Your goal isn’t to get your body through fully repleted; it’s just to get it through. Little bits of water, especially as your stomach will be running hot / not digesting (also, if no one has mentioned this: you probably want to check out locations / logistics of the washroom facilities along the way, just in case, but I’ve never needed them during a race despite needing them often during 21-24 milers. Race stress shuts you down). For food / nutrients, I carry gels (I know, old-fashioned). But I click it off: a swallow every couple of miles. Eat whatever you are comfortable with. I have a teammate who still carries crackers. You will need to eat less than you think, in my experience.
Round 3 – you will get through the last part of the race. For one thing, you just will, because you are very gutsy; for another, I’ve noticed I have tendencies towards the wall mostly when I haven’t been lifting or been doing too many long runs only. Your training is rounded and you will be fine.
The enjoyment / finale phase – one thing I don’t think anyone has mentioned: they almost certainly have free massages at the finish line! I’m not normally keen on massages, but this is the exception and I bet they will be on offer. You should take them up on it! Some bits may be tweaking (weird stuff, like you discover your right shoulder yanks up when you’re running through it, and wow is it nice to have someone take care of that).
Recovery … I am in total agreement with the advice you’ve had before, except knowing your enthusiasm, I would encourage you to take a full 3 weeks off of running. Maybe do other workouts, go for speedy walks, but just to make sure you have fully recovered. What you do NOT want as a followup to what will be a great memory and achievement is a chronic injury.
You are right to take a positive attitude, but you were also right to take this so seriously by training for it and preparing. You ARE testing your body – running a marathon wouldn’t matter so much if you weren’t testing yourself by running one. It WILL hurt – and you WILL get through it.
Ironically I have managed to talk to my current and ex while writing this. Ex accused me of luring someone else into my cult of distance running (I assured him I have absolutely nothing to do with this, except by lurking and thinking encouraging thoughts. Sprinters are such wusses). He also reminded me (and this is helpful) about a fiasco when he bought me a cute tankini outfit for a race and there was a little teeny plastic tag in the underarm that made me INSANE for 3:18. Seriously, it is AMAZING how these things prey on your mind when there is little else to think about. Your outfit is cute, but be prepared to chuck it onto the road and run in your bra if it doesn’t work out. (So maybe choose a bra you don’t mind running in through Disney).
Current boyfriend says you have the mind and have done the miles; all will be good. And I totally agree!
Good luck Rachel! Run well!
The first one is so exciting/nerve wracking because you really have no idea what to expect! All I can say in what I did differently the second versus the first was to take aleve. My dad met me around mile 18- took one aleve, and I think it did the trick. When I was done, both times, I cried. It’s like a “delirious, what is going on, where is everyone I know, I can’t believe it’s over” cry. I don’t k you’re now, I could go on and on about the feeling, you’ll just have to wait and see!!! As far as phone, I usually ask to borrow a spectators phone, call my parents tell them where I am sitting and to come to me because I am not moving. Also, I will say that I don’t listen to music because it’s way more fun to hear people cheer (write your name on your shirt or bib or anything where people can read it, its great to hear your name! My friend wears her Vanderbilt t-shirt and alumni and fans of VU LOVE cheering her on) and maybe even chat it up with someone going your pace. Plus anything that could be a hinderance toward the end in the smallest bit because magnified by one million when dead tired. Moving your hands to swat away headphone wires, etc, is unbelievably hard! GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!!!! This is what you’ve worked so hard for!!!