Poignant Irrelevance

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

rookie marathon questions

first post got eaten. i'll try again; knowing blogger, by tomorrow my other post will show up too. oh well. now i have to remember what i said! plus i'm having trouble commenting on other peoples blogs. i want to congratulate bev on her race!! she did awesome and she had a great time, what could be better? nothing!
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can you help a guy out? i have some marathon questions that have been on my mind.

first, tonights run was 4 miles in 35 minutes. a little too fast but i had some stress to burn off.

ok, questions:

water stops. i have no clue how this works. they will have powerade and water about ever 2.5 miles. i will skip the first 3 or so. i might gu at the third but i haven't decided yet. so anyway, do i jog up to it and grab something and walk away while drinking? do i walk to the table, take a cup of water AND powerade? and drink? then jog away? do i speed by and grap a cup and zoom away like i'm da man? i'm totally confused on how its supposed to go. ps there are 10,500 runners (woohoo!!)....what if we all stop at all the water stops? how in the heck is that going to work?

second thing is warming up. for my 10k earlier this spring, i jogged a couple hundred yards or so, getting the legs warmed up; for the 5k i jogged for what ended up being 1 whole mile beforehand. actually funny story about that, i got kind of lost on the course and ended up coming down the finish chute for the 10k runners (who had started well before us 5kers)...the whole crowd was looking at me with extremely confused looks on their faces, and very unsure if they should clap. hehe. i was so nervous/distracted about my upcoming 5k that i didn't notice i was running toward a finish line. when i realized what was going on, i darted FULL SPEED as far away from the finish line and out of the race course as possible. hehe! i was extremely embarrassed! i don't remember if i relayed that info before...i felt pretty stupid though. but hey i almost beat the kenyans, sort of. hehe.

that was so off topic. what i meant to ask was how to warm up. do i start the marathon cold? jog in place at the starting gate while in the crowd? run around my neighborhood before i go to the marathon? hmmm. i want to warm up the legs but with so many miles ahead of me, i also don't want to run at all. what should i do?

next, how long do you think it will take me to get to the starting line w/10,500 runners (assuming i'm basically at the back)? 15 minutes? 30 minutes? hmmm. i am confused on what to tell my fan club that will be watching me in person. heh. you guys wanna come watch too? :)

if you have not completed a marathon i will ignore your advice (but that sounds reasonable in this case right?) thanks a lot dudes! i have to take trip #2 on wed for a couple days, but i will be anxious to read any feedback you feel compelled to give me when i get back!!! thanks again! please post this blogger, i'm too tired to go on! i feel my body starting to weaken from the travel and late night working. here's hoping that i can somehow recover and revive my energy level in time.
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posted by brent at 11:53 PM

21 Comments:

  • 1) water stops. i keep running while i drink water b/c i am really type A and those are minutes people!!! i would suggest still bringing your own hydration. sometimes they run out. sometimes they only have gross stuff: think Ultima.

    2) i don't think a warm up is necessary.

    3) i am not sure how long it will take to get to the starting line. as for as your fan club...they will hopefullly see you...but they may miss you. my mom has missed seeing my dad and i at carefully chosen spots and my dad missed the end of my next marathon. it's just HARD to see people amongst the crowds. so hopefully your friends will see you, but so you know, try not to be sad if they don't! :)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:33 AM  

  • Water stops: I slow down and walk through to try to get as much fluid actually in my mouth as possible. This was especially true during the marathon (in shorter races, I slow down enough to grab a cup and throw the water near my mouth). Key to the cups of liquid: squeeze the top of the cup to make a little funnel - easier to drink that way. And are you saying that you are going to wait until mile 7 to drink? Please reconsider that tactic. Drink the same way you have been during training...if you take in all water, stick with all water...if you take in some powerade once in a while, do that. (The powerade will most likely be watered down.)

    I found that by mile 20, I was no longer interested in anything sweet, so I stuck to just water from that point on. Prior to that, I drank water at every stop and carried Gatorade.

    Warm up: In a race that big, even if you did warm up, by the time you stand around and then walk slowly to the start line, it won't matter. So save it for the course. I like to hop in place and stetch when I'm waiting. Keeps the nerves down...a little.

    And I think it will take you at least 15-20 minutes to get to the start...maybe someone who has done Chicago before can answer that better.

    Get some rest!

    By Blogger Running Chick, at 7:51 AM  

  • Some places hand you the water. Agreed bring some of your own fav stuff. I was so slow a lot of the stations were gone when I got there.

    You can warm up running back and forth to the port-a-potty.

    And I wish I could come watch, cheer you on, etc. I am sure you will do just fine. Your training has gone well.

    Best advice - enjoy yourself no matter what and heh, enjoy the ummm scenery *wink*.

    By Blogger Dawn - Pink Chick Tris, at 8:33 AM  

  • I have no advice to give as I have not done a marathon, so feel free to ignore me, but - ohmygod -I'm getting so excited for you about this race, like on pins and needles. Aargh, the suspense is killing me. Count me in on the blogoshpere cheering section.

    By Blogger Megan, at 8:39 AM  

  • I think the other posters have covered the water stop stuff so I'll skip right to the "how long will it take to cross the line" question.

    I've done the Disney Marathon the last two years and started near the back of the pack at both races. Once it took 7 minutes to cross the second time 10 minutes. That race has about 8,000 or so finishers with about 10,000 registered runners so it's about the same size you're asking about.

    This past sunday at the Philly Distance Run it took 5 minutes to cross the line. This race had 8,600 finishers with 10,500 registered runners.

    So I think 10 minutes is a safe estimate.

    However -- I also ran the VA Beach Half Marathon this summer (16,000 finishers 21,000 registered) and they used a "wave start". They held runners in the corrals and released them onto the course once the corral ahead cleared. It took me 25 minutes to cross the start that day. So check to see if your race is using a wave start.

    Good Luck!

    By Blogger Helen, at 9:02 AM  

  • Brent, I agree with Running Chick about rethinking ignoring the first 3 watere stops. The most important water stop is the first, the second most important is the second, and so on. Once you feel thirsty, it's too late. So to avoid that, drink early.

    Just go with the flow at water stops. Don't feel you have to grab the first cup you see. Look up ahead, sometimes you can get around a pack and grab a cup on the last table. PET PEEVE: If you're going to walk (anytime, not just the water stops), make sure you glance behind you so you don't impede someone else.

    No warmup is necessary.

    Finally, you can go to www.onlineraceresults.com and search for the 2004 TCM results. They list gun and chip time. I did a quick search; 3:30 runners took 1-3 minutes to cross the line, 4:00 runners took 3-5 minutes, 4:30 and above took 5-8 minutes. 10 minutes was the longest I saw for someone to get across the line.

    By Blogger Chad, at 9:05 AM  

  • 1) plenty of good advice on this question already, but i will echo dianna. do NOT skip those early water stations. the cool thing about chicago is that the water stops are LONG. i'd run past the first few tables and volunteers and get some water/sports drink from the later tables. there won't be as much of a crowd that way.

    2) i have yet to 'warm-up' for a marathon yet. i've done some light stretching, but i rely on the first couple miles of the race to get my legs going.

    3) no idea. just make your cheering squad commit to being there all day. =)

    good luck!

    By Blogger Unknown, at 9:11 AM  

  • No advice, non-marathoner here, but oh my goodness, very exciting. I'll be cheering you from Washington State!

    By Blogger Syd, at 10:00 AM  

  • Everybody's covered what I would have said about water stops. I'd definitely recommend carrying your own too. I usually use the water stops in the beginning and save my own water for later in the race. That way you can save precious time running instead of avoiding crowds and trampled cups.

    Regarding your fans, just knowing where they are standing might help. That way you can look for them while they are looking for you.

    I'm so excited for you...it's finally here!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:23 AM  

  • Here's my $.02

    1- the first few stops might be a little jammed up, but there should be volunteers in a line holding out their hands with cups of water and gatorade. I move to the left towards them gradually as I approach, grab a cup, gradually move back to the right while bending the cup to make a little pour spout. In the early miles I drank on the run. Post 20 miles I walked while I drank. I carried my fuel belt, but I did not need it. I ran with all 4 bottles full the whole race. But it was a very well supported race with 20,000 runners. So you might carry just in case. ONLY ingore the first 3 stops if you are carrying your own water.
    2- For a warm up I ran about 400m, stretched a little and jumped up and down a bit. More to work out a little nervous energy than anything else.
    3- When I ran the half I jumped in with the 7 minute milers b/c the gun had gone off while I was in the porta potty!! It took me less than 1 minute to get to the line and there were about 10,000 runners. When I ran the full, I started in my corral (the 10 minute mile group) and there were 20,000 runners and it took me 7 minutes to get to the line. The chances of your fan club seeing you at the start is very slim. If I were you I would recommend you have them be a quarter or a half mile out from the start. It will be VERY crowded at the start and for quite some time until it thins out a little.
    4- I'm adding my own. You're a guy so it is easier for you to "go" out on the course, but don't underestimate the length of time you will have to stand in line at the porta potty. I waited in line over an hour at Houston and as I said earlierjust as it was my turn they said "One minute to gun" so I had to go fast then jump out and run fast outside the convention center, across a huge parking lot and into mass of people! It was a very crazy, high stress way to start the race!

    By Blogger Tiggs, at 10:54 AM  

  • Thanks for the congrats, Brent! I, of course, have no experience in the areas of your questions ... but I am watching your training closely in case I ever catch the marathon bug!

    You're going to rock this race, Brent! :)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:32 PM  

  • Good advice, all of it.

    Water stops, I'm like Running Chick, after about 20 miles I can't take in sweets either. I tend to drink the energy drinks early on and save the water for the end.

    Good luck and remember, have fun!!

    By Blogger Flo, at 2:12 PM  

  • Do you guys have starting corrals? I was in the 10 min/mile group in April and it took a full 15 minutes for my group to get to the start line, and we were group 10 of 20. They started each corral about 1/2 - full minute apart, plus the walk up to the start line for each group. (There were 17,000 total runners.) I had to digitally alter my finish line pics because I wanted my REAL time to show!!

    By Blogger Rae, at 6:49 PM  

  • All good advice. Drink early and often, don't warm up any more than you have to (you'll run enough and since there will probably be a delay till you hit the start, you'll get in some easy jogging).


    You never can tell how long the delay will be. Obviously the closer you are to the start the less time, although I did one marathon where there was no bottleneck and I found myself running alone in the first mile, which I suspect won't ever be a problem in a 10,000+ marathon. Expect a delay, 10-15 minutes sounds about right.

    Having a fan club is a great idea, it will make the marathon even better. If you can try and meet up with them before the start so they can track you as you get to the line, it will help them identify you and if they are trying to find you later on, they know what your actual running time is, not the official time (otherwise they get discouraged when you seem to be 15 minutes off pace at the first mile marker.) You should also try and watch for them, especially if you know where they will be. My last marathon I ran right past my entire family without them noticing, although they did hear me screaming their names.

    Good luck, enjoy!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:57 PM  

  • I have tried to drink on the run and still do (try) when I am filling up with water. With a sports drink I stop and walk so I get it all in me and don't pour it all over myself like my first half-marathon. I second Dianna's advice on waiting too long to drink. A good indication that you are drinking too much is when your stomach is sloshing. If this isn't obvious drink up. I usually alternate water and sports drink at every other rest stop. The sports drinks here in Germany aren't so sweet so after mile 20 I am drinking (and eating) anything I can get my hands on (hey kid gimme your ice cream:)

    I might stretch a little before a marathon, but generally most start out so slow that you will warm-up after you start moving. The first mile or 2 are generally so crowded you can't help but run slow. With my first marathon it took 7 minutes to pass the Start, my recent about 4 1/2. It is almost impossible to know for sure. Stay relaxed, your chip time starts first when you pass the Start line.

    By Blogger Jack, at 1:11 AM  

  • no marathon advice, just a cheering squad.

    *pom pom* GO BRENT GO! *pom pom*

    I can't wait to read the race report!

    By Blogger HouseRunner, at 8:16 AM  

  • I forgot my other advice...if you like encouragement and want people (other than your fan club) to cheer you along the way be sure to write your name on yourself somewhere.

    I've been in races where my name was printed on my bib and I thought it was silly until late in the game when it's nice to hear somebody encourage you by name. Now I always make sure to write it on myself if it's not on the bib.

    By Blogger Helen, at 9:31 AM  

  • 1) Water Stops - take fluid at all of them. You don't have to go crazy. I usually take water at 1 and ade and water at the next. Straight ade upsets my stomach, so I keep it really dilute. I usually only take a couple or 4 oz.'s at each. I used to drink on the run, but no longer can, so I stop to drink. Take the cup, run past the table, sidestep and walk while I drink. Ade up the nose is miserable. Red ade will make you look nasty! Dried ade on you can feel lousy.

    No need for warmup - with the crowd, you'll start slow. Don't start at back, use 3/4 as a guide. If they have signs with pace, lie by 1 min/mile.

    That 7-10 min sounds about right, but it can vary depending on roadway width.

    Write your name on your shirt, so people will say your name as they cheer you on. If you don't want to use your name, use something unique.

    Band-Aids on the nipples. Vaseline on the chafing spots. Be at the race at least 1 hour before start.

    Good luck!

    By Blogger Scooter, at 3:02 PM  

  • Oh, and I take a ClifShot aka Gu about every 5 miles.

    By Blogger Scooter, at 3:03 PM  

  • I am one of the lucky members of Brent's fan club. I can't wait! We've been 'dreaming' about this for so long, I can't believe the race is right around the corner! Ahhh! Too bad I'm not running with you, B...sorry. Maybe next time?! Maybe I can run with you for a second while I hand off the ipod?

    "GO DUDE!!!!"
    :-)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:57 PM  

  • My fiancee and I have managed to find each other at every race I have done. We go over the course map together beforehand and pick points along the course that we will look for each other. We also pick which side I will be on and I try to stay over to that side. Sometimes if we can out and look at the course, we will pick landmarks, like a sign or something that he will stand near. One time I did an 8k race that had 20,000 participants. He held a Michigan flag on a long pole, so I was easily able to spot him. Other tactics included me wearing bright colored stickers, glow necklaces in a night race, and him having a megaphone. I agree with an earlier comment that it will be easier for them to find you once things have thinned out a little. The start line of any race is a big mass of confusion. If you definitely want them to see you at the start, I would think you would have to pick one side or the other and try to get as far over to the side as you can.

    By Blogger Simba's Mom, at 7:37 AM  

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