More of Andrew's Marginally Useful Running Knowledge
So many of these entries about first-time long distance race could have been written by me. So, some more thoughts:
- I never imagined running 6 miles until a bunch of co-workers kept carrying on about the Peachtree Road Race. So I trained up and did it the next year in under an hour (I was also 26 years younger...)
- A half?! Are you kidding? That's like finishing the 10K and running back to the start. But after a bunch of 10K's, I figured I could do it, trained up, and headed to WDW.
- A full?! Are you really kidding?! But there I was, 2 years later thinking I could do it, and just to sweeten the pot, doing it right after the half.
- I didn't set any records, but I did finish both races, and well ahead of the sweepers.
- If you go into the parks later or the next day, wear your medal(s), or at least the "biggest" one.
- As other's have mentioned, the sweepers don't start until the last running starts. And even if you can alternate jogging and a brisk walk, you'll be faster than 16 min/mile.
- When I did the Goofy, at the start of the race, I was sure that I had a broken bone in my foot. Nope. Just bottom of my feet hurting from the half. Have 2 pairs of running shoes.
- I will confess to under-training. I see the training plans with 20-milers leading up to the marathon, but I've never committed the time for such long runs. If you can get to even 10-mile runs, you'll do fine
- At the moment I'm focused on calorie burn to get weight down, and slowly building up my run time/distance. I'll still be undertrained, but the energy of the weekend will provide a huge boost.
- I just did 4 miles this morning, and even with a generous amount of walking, I was well under the 16 min/mile mark.
- If you are like me, by the end of the marathon, you probably aren't thinking real clearly, so just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
- To my surprise, when going around the Epcot lagoon, I was still able to alternate running and walking. The intervals had greatly shortened, but still doing it.
- When you see/hear the gospel chorus, wave at them and yell "Hallelujah" because it is almost over.
- Encourage other runners
- Take energy from the spectators that are out there cheering you on.
- I don't remember park guests being a factor for the half. For the full, they are, but the Cast members seem to do a good job of holding them back for packs of runners.
- Make sure to get a selfie coming out the front of the castle
- My favorite running device (besides my watch) is a Creative Labs Stone. It's a tiny MP3 player with an external speaker. I clip it to the back of my collar and have it just loud enough for my ears. It has more than enough battery for a marathon
- I have an armband for my phone, keys, etc, but it gets annoying after a while and my new phone doesn't fit. I'll put my stuff in a belt instead.
- If you do want your phone in your hand, get the kind of carrier that fits around your hand so that your aren't clutching the phone the whole way.
- Never give up!
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