Post by nichelobe on Sept 15, 2014 15:06:55 GMT -5
I know this is highly individual, but I'm interested in other people's experiences.
My first marathon is less than 5 weeks out. This weekend I ran my first 20 miler and it was really, really tough. The weather was fantastic, I felt good going in, I couldn't have asked for any specific thing to be better, but...it's 20 freaking miles. I was just DONE by the end. My body was begging me to be done. My brain was BEGGING for me to be done.
I've heard people say that 20, not 13.1, is the halfway point. That the last 10k is totally indescribable. I'll be honest, this weekend I just couldn't see where I'd pull another 6.2 miles. Soooo, help me out here. Where do you get the strength/gumption/whatever to put one foot in front of the other for the last 10k? So many of you have done this, and done it SO WELL, that I know it's possible. I just can't get there mentally. How in the hell do you do it? How will I do it??
I guess I hope to hear that other people felt the same way at 20 and made it in the end.
I've only run one of these so I'm by no means an expert.
You just do. I hit a wall around mile 21-22 for my marathon and looking back I think it was some kind of fueling mistake. I started walking and just couldn't run one more step.
I got some motivation from someone handing out Clif Shot blocks and some random guy who patted my shoulder and told me to keep going. I ran a mile or so and I finally saw H and DS and almost started bawling. I gave them both huge hugs and just said to myself. Two easy miles, two easy miles. I didn't break my goal of under 4 probably because of the wall I hit. But I got pretty close.
Of course this time around, I have a way more ambitious goal. Not sure how I'm going to get through those last 6.2 miles, but somehow I will.
I'm not an expert, and have only run one marathon but my wall hit at mile 22, felt better by mile 23 and then I really lost it at 26- yes, those last .2 miles did me in. The final breakdown was mental, because I had misunderstood where we were entering the stadium to run around the infield and it just seemed soooo much farther than I'd anticipated. I broke down in tears to my running partner when I realized we had to run around the stadium to the front instead of going in the back where I thought we were....not a big deal unless you'd just run 26 miles I guess.
The mile 22 wall was part mental, but definitely also fueling- I was able to grab some jellybeans from a gracious spectator, swigged down some flat rootbeer from a restaurant I ran past (thank you restaurant owner) and immediately felt better.
I agree that the crowd and energy will keep you going- and there truly is nothing like crossing that finish line. I can't wait to get out there and do it again someday.
I won't lie. It's probably going to suck. And there isn't anything anyone can tell you that will really make you understand it until you've experienced it for yourself.
That said, you'll do it. Mostly because you didn't train for 18 weeks and get up early every Saturday and run in ungodly temps at ungodly hours to stop at mile 20. No ma'am.
As for where you get that extra 6.2 from. Race day is different. You're tapered and rested and fed and everyone is watching. It sucks when you have a crappy 20 miler but it does not define your training. You've been doing lots of other stuff too!
I won't lie. It's probably going to suck. And there isn't anything anyone can tell you that will really make you understand it until you've experienced it for yourself.
That said, you'll do it. Mostly because you didn't train for 18 weeks and get up early every Saturday and run in ungodly temps at ungodly hours to stop at mile 20. No ma'am.
As for where you get that extra 6.2 from. Race day is different. You're tapered and rested and fed and everyone is watching. It sucks when you have a crappy 20 miler but it does not define your training. You've been doing lots of other stuff too!
PREACH. Yeah, this hits home. I can see this being the thing that does it. I didn't do alllll of this to stop. Not an option.
Basically ditto, ebeth. The first one kind of blows. I mean, it's awesome, and if you've trained properly it sucks less, but the first time you do it, it's pretty overwhelming.
With that said, I had a 20 miler that sucked, I was horribly, HORRIBLY, under-trained, and I still got through it on race day. For all of the reasons ebeth said, I managed to make it to the finish line. Your body can go further than you think/than it feels like it can. As much as it hurts, you're probably capable of pushing a bit harder. You just are. And you will. On race day, you will.
Eta: for my first, I had an 18 miler that sucked. No 20-miler at all. 1 shitty 18-miler, and then race day. LOL I have since had the occasional not great 20 & still been okay.
My first marathon, the farthest training run I did prior was 18 miles. So from the 18 mile mark in the marathon I just telling myself "this is the farthest you've ever gone!" and kept plugging on. You'll hit a point when you KNOW that's your wall. On race day the excitement and adrenaline definitely helps me and makes up for what I lack in internal motivation. The spectators really help amp me up too.
ebeth is indeed wise. She's exactly right that you don't do all the miles and hours and weather extremes of training for nothing! You'll keep going because you need to, you have, and you want to.
I did just one twenty mile before my first three marathons, and I've always been able to push through.
The other thing I really like to do is draw strength & support from the other runners. Crowd support is awesome, but I've done some smaller races where that's not as prevalent.
Not everyone likes to talk during races, but usually with a simple comment or hello early in the race you can tell if someone is up for small talk. It doesn't mean you have to chat the whole way, but it can be nice to have a running buddy who shares a similar goal.
I know I've posted my race reports here before, but if you're interested this is about a marathon this spring where I had a tough finish.
Like ebeth said, race day is different. You may slow down when you reach mile 20, but you WILL finish. You dig deep and you do it. Those last 6.2 miles age going to hurt, but at that point it is mostly mental. You put one foot in front of the other and you will keep going.
I think it is probably better to expect the wall in the last 6.2 miles. I thought I was different and it wasn't going to happen to me, lol, I was not different. I swore off marathons for two years, but here I am signed up for number two!
Post by Wines Not Whines on Sept 15, 2014 17:07:53 GMT -5
This is normal. My first 20 miler was awful. I remember wishing that a hole would open up in front of me so I could fall into it and have an excuse to stop running. I had so many doubts about my ability to run 26.2. But I did it. And you will do it, too. Like others said, race day is different. You'll be tapered, you'll have more adrenaline, and you'll be running to a real finish line. When you finish, you'll be a marathoner! You've got this.
Post by chitownbelle on Sept 15, 2014 17:36:57 GMT -5
Ebeth for the win.
My wall hits just after mile 22, total smack in the face for 3 miles in which I want to crawl in a hole and die, and then the crowd support and "1 mile to go" signs really push me toward the end. Last year was rough, and I missed my time goal, and was encouraged by a girl who was running side by side with me to push to the end... I would have given up on my PR if it hadn't been for her.... I only beat my time by just over a minute, and it was a complete mental struggle.... Your body will hopefully not let you down, but your mind has to carry you through. If you've got family and friends cheering you on, make sure they can see you in that last mile. It helps to know they are there more than you know.
My wall hits just after mile 22, total smack in the face for 3 miles in which I want to crawl in a hole and die, and then the crowd support and "1 mile to go" signs really push me toward the end. Last year was rough, and I missed my time goal, and was encouraged by a girl who was running side by side with me to push to the end... I would have given up on my PR if it hadn't been for her.... I only beat my time by just over a minute, and it was a complete mental struggle.... Your body will hopefully not let you down, but your mind has to carry you through. If you've got family and friends cheering you on, make sure they can see you in that last mile. It helps to know they are there more than you know.
this is me too. I can remember at MCM last year on that dreadful overpass where there is no crowd support, I started walking and texted my H to tell him i was struggling - turns out it was a terrible version that read something like this: "i'4384ma stru4jlkvng"
and then heard a pacer behind me and saw she was the 4:15 pacer & that gave me a kick in the pants! Plus i saw a Team Hoyt runner & stroller participant at that time, jamming to NSYNC. If that runner could push their adult partner 22 miles and still be positive, i certainly could too!
It's tough at that point - but you push through, thinking about folks looking for you at the finish line, others who have big struggles completing the race, etc. YOu can do it!
This is normal. My first 20 miler was awful. I remember wishing that a hole would open up in front of me so I could fall into it and have an excuse to stop running. I had so many doubts about my ability to run 26.2. But I did it. And you will do it, too. Like others said, race day is different. You'll be tapered, you'll have more adrenaline, and you'll be running to a real finish line. When you finish, you'll be a marathoner! You've got this.
Change 20 to 18 and this was me last year right before the marathon. I was so defeated after an awful 18 miler and still wasn't 100% I was going to finish when I lined up at the starting line. I may have stopped and sat on a bench a cried out of frustration (on the 18 miler), because I still had 2 miles to get to my car and I wanted to die right there on the bike path.
Post by theoriginalbean on Sept 15, 2014 18:38:47 GMT -5
Yes to everything ebeth said!
From my n of 1 experience, my first full marathon started to really suck at mile 22. I don't think it's a coincidence that my longest training run was 22. Each marathon, after that, got progressively better, in terms of pushing back the wall. It's a combination of confidence and fueling strategy. I just finished #7, and it was the first time that I actually felt as though I was "running strong" 25 miles in.
It will probably suck, but you'll be seeking out your next one before you know it!
Yeah, you can just put ebeth 's advice in your pocket and check it out every day until race day.
If you've done the training, you can absolutely finish this marathon. My first marathon I hit the "wall" (I hate that term) at 18 and again at 22. I trained up to 22 but it was just freaking hard and unlike anything I'd ever experienced. But I finished it! Oh my God I did! And so will you!
Later marathons were a different experience. Mentally I play the "I've been waiting for you" game with the pain. like, "I knew you were coming! I've been waiting for you." Idk, it's like I have some control or something. For me, that's only come with experience at the distance. I look forward to getting much better.
My wall hits just after mile 22, total smack in the face for 3 miles in which I want to crawl in a hole and die, and then the crowd support and "1 mile to go" signs really push me toward the end. Last year was rough, and I missed my time goal, and was encouraged by a girl who was running side by side with me to push to the end... I would have given up on my PR if it hadn't been for her.... I only beat my time by just over a minute, and it was a complete mental struggle.... Your body will hopefully not let you down, but your mind has to carry you through. If you've got family and friends cheering you on, make sure they can see you in that last mile. It helps to know they are there more than you know.
this is me too. I can remember at MCM last year on that dreadful overpass where there is no crowd support, I started walking and texted my H to tell him i was struggling - turns out it was a terrible version that read something like this: "i'4384ma stru4jlkvng"
and then heard a pacer behind me and saw she was the 4:15 pacer & that gave me a kick in the pants! Plus i saw a Team Hoyt runner & stroller participant at that time, jamming to NSYNC. If that runner could push their adult partner 22 miles and still be positive, i certainly could too!
It's tough at that point - but you push through, thinking about folks looking for you at the finish line, others who have big struggles completing the race, etc. YOu can do it!
Lol, my husband texted me and asked me if I wanted him to run the last mile of my marathon with him after he had already run a marathon. Poor guy ended up running closer to 29 miles before it was all said and done. I'm pretty sure he thought I would say no and he wouldn't have to run with me.
ebeth is very wise. Plus, I've been out spectating on the last 6 miles of the marathon course before and the crowd support just gets better and better as you get closer to the finish. It's awesome, and hell it energizes me and I'm not even running!
Post by nichelobe on Sept 15, 2014 19:35:38 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! I knew this was going to be tough, I think I'm just getting a glimpse of what that really means. It helps a lot to read about your experiences. I can't wait to come here and say I did it!
For me, its always been sonewhere during the last 6.2, maybe around 23-24, its varied by race. My last marathon the first half was bad for me, i got my shit together around mile 14, and felt great until just about the last 1/2 mile.
Race day is definitrly different. Also, at that point you have 10k to go, thats like an hourish of running. Youve just run for several hours, whats one more? 6 piddly little miles?? You totally got that. Im sure weve all had shitty 6 mile runs. You got through the 20, you can get through the 6. Just remind yourself - its your first freaking marathon, so put one foot in front of the other and get it done!!!
Also, i like to remind myself that the slower i go, the longer itll be before i can stop. That helps. The desire to be done, eating, in flip flops, and then takong a nap.
To piggyback off of everything al320 said, mental games and peptalks will be your friend. Figure out what motivates you. My fuckthisshitImdone point is usually right around 21. There is no denying that it is really starting to hurt at that point, and damn it, you still have a long way to go. Except if you think about it, it's not really THAT long. Not in comparison to what you've already done. Still miles 21 & 22 are by far my most difficult miles. Mile 23 is a bitch too (it actually might be my worst mile), but you can start wrapping your head around things. At 23, you can start the whole "Only a 5k to go" thing. And your pace will be a piece of cake compared to your usual 5k pace. But it HURTS. Mile 23 hurts. I pep up at 24. 24 is my light at the end of the tunnel mile. Peptalks for 24 include "One more mile & you'll only have 1 more mile!" "16 min. (Or whatever it equals to for your pace.) You can do ANYTHING for 16 more minutes." By mile 25 the crowds will be carrying you. It's your last mile! Somehow the pain will fade a bit come mile 25. Mile 25 is amazing. My pace steadily picks up over this mile, and then it's all smiles through the finishline.
To piggyback off of everything al320 said, mental games and peptalks will be your friend. Figure out what motivates you. My fuckthisshitImdone point is usually right around 21. There is no denying that it is really starting to hurt at that point, and damn it, you still have a long way to go. Except if you think about it, it's not really THAT long. Not in comparison to what you've already done. Still miles 21 & 22 are by far my most difficult miles. Mile 23 is a bitch too (it actually might be my worst mile), but you can start wrapping your head around things. At 23, you can start the whole "Only a 5k to go" thing. And your pace will be a piece of cake compared to your usual 5k pace. But it HURTS. Mile 23 hurts. I pep up at 24. 24 is my light at the end of the tunnel mile. Peptalks for 24 include "One more mile & you'll only have 1 more mile!" "16 min. (Or whatever it equals to for your pace.) You can do ANYTHING for 16 more minutes." By mile 25 the crowds will be carrying you. It's your last mile! Somehow the pain will fade a bit come mile 25. Mile 25 is amazing. My pace steadily picks up over this mile, and then it's all smiles through the finishline.
ALL OF THIS.
No matter the quality of my training, everything starts hurting around 21-22 and that is when my brain becomes my worst enemy. I'm the biggest self-doubter about finishing, etc. Figure out what you can think about, pump-up jams at that point, a nice treat to eat (i.e. mini-snickers in my first marathon ), or sometimes if i do need to walk i'll negotiate with myself. Run .5 miles, walk .10 mile - REPEAT. A lot of my brain activity in the last few miles is math
The OBX marathon was dreadfully hot and no shade. I negotiated with myself the last 2.5 miles in walk/run fashion and it worked. You do what works for you.
For me, its always been sonewhere during the last 6.2, maybe around 23-24, its varied by race. My last marathon the first half was bad for me, i got my shit together around mile 14, and felt great until just about the last 1/2 mile.
Race day is definitrly different. Also, at that point you have 10k to go, thats like an hourish of running. Youve just run for several hours, whats one more? 6 piddly little miles?? You totally got that. Im sure weve all had shitty 6 mile runs. You got through the 20, you can get through the 6. Just remind yourself - its your first freaking marathon, so put one foot in front of the other and get it done!!!
Also, i like to remind myself that the slower i go, the longer itll be before i can stop. That helps. The desire to be done, eating, in flip flops, and then takong a nap.
I do the exact same thing in races. Even in a HM with, say, 4 miles to go. I'll say, "forget about the last 9 miles, pretend I'm just going out for an easy 4 mile run. Yeah, I'm tired, but I'm often tired at the beginning of my regular runs, that's no biggie "
Post by Wines Not Whines on Sept 17, 2014 10:18:41 GMT -5
There's a lot of really good advice in this thread. I completely agree that the mental game is HUGE in a marathon. You will find out what kind of motivation/self-pep-talk/self-soothing techniques work for you. Rely on them as much as you can.
For me, it helps to break the race up into smaller chunks. 26.2 miles feels really long, but 5 5-milers, plus a little extra at the end, feels doable. I'm usually ok for the first 5 miles. Then I focus on getting to mile 10. A 10-miler is no biggie. Then mile 15. At that point, I'm more than halfway done. Yay! Only 5 more miles to Mile 20, which is the penultimate 5-miler! And then I'm in the home stretch. After Mile 20, I take it mile-by-mile, willing myself to just get to the next mile marker, and then I'm allowed to take a walk/water/fuel break if I want one.
I also use clseale's approach of telling myself, "You can do anything for [xx] minutes." That only works at the end though. I also use al320's approach and tell myself, "The faster you finish this $^$#%#$ race, the sooner you can stop running, put on fresh clothes, and eat a cupcake."