hypochondriac Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 Hey everyone. I'm running the New York Marathon in just over three weeks time for the MS society. It's my first marathon and it's been quite a challenge so far! (I did the clarendon half marathon yesterday which is pretty much uphill all the way.) I've splashed out on some decent running shoes and some expensive running socks which have really made a difference and the socks especially have stopped my feet from hurting after long distances. I've worked out a 20 mile run for myself next week and then I'm winding down and doing little distances often before the big race. It's not about the time for me, it's about getting round and the experience. Does anyone else have any marathon experience? Do they have any words of wisdom or advice to impart? I'm sort of nervous but I'm also really excited. The experience is going to be fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baj Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 Junction 9 did FLM a couple of years back I think. Ive only done halfs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Um Bongo Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 I might do this next year. How did you apply? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisobee Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 (edited) Your preparation sounds very good to me, don't need to do more than 20 miles on a training run to be able to run the full 26 miles. My marathon experience was back in the 80's, running my own race at an even pace worked very well and I'd definitely recommend that, I passed 100's of exhausted runners in the last few miles! Oh and you will be nervous and excited, back to the previous point I'd start somewhere near the back as time is not important otherwise you might get caught up in the early mad dash and go off too fast. Edited 5 October, 2009 by chrisobee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisobee Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 If you are on FB this might be useful: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Running/93961945054?ref=search&sid=722256833.3768365299..1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warsash saint Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 A friend of mine did it last year & said the up hill stretches were a killer . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisobee Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 A friend of mine did it last year & said the up hill stretches were a killer . That is often a problem so any training needs to take in hills. I was "lucky" or maybe not to have a friend in High Wycombe who I visited regularly and there are real killer hills there and sometimes even going downhill was a problem as you need to actually slow yourself down otherwise you'll just end up going too fast and taking a tumble! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisobee Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 I might do this next year. How did you apply? This is the NY official site for 2009: http://www.nycmarathon.org/apply.htm This might be of use for 2010: http://www.rnib.org.uk/GETINVOLVED/EVENTS/CHARITYRUNS/RUNDATES/Pages/ing_new_york_marathon_2010.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 I've heard all the bridges are a bit of a bastard from someone who has run it. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 5 October, 2009 Author Share Posted 5 October, 2009 Cheers guys. Did anyone do the new forest half a couple of weeks ago? It's been my favourite so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisobee Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 Cheers guys. Did anyone do the new forest half a couple of weeks ago? It's been my favourite so far. Did it way back in 1983. My favourite half marathon has to be the Wembley one I ran in 1985, the finish was a lap of the stadium. That was pretty special TBH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 Are you doing the great south? Did that last year, won't be doing it this year tho...cripple. Start slowly is my advice, and when it hurts like f*ck and you think you need to stop, think of something that inspires you, such as MLT, or soldiers dying for there countries or summit random! Seems weird but really helped me get past certain barriers previously. I'll prob do the new forest half and GSR next year, hopefully following it up with the FLM year after, depending on how the knee recovers.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socalocal Posted 8 October, 2009 Share Posted 8 October, 2009 Use your 20 mile run next week as a practice run for the big day - wear the same clothes you plan to wear on race day, eat the same pre-race meal, use the same nutrition products (gels, sports drinks, etc) you will use on race day. On race day, as others have said try to start out slow - make sure you drink enough and then take it in and enjoy the experience. I'm quite jealous. I ran my first marathon here in San Diego this year and would love to run New York one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedWillie Posted 11 October, 2009 Share Posted 11 October, 2009 Hypo ran my first marathon FLM last year and in again for next year. I do a bit anyway but had to train. It depends if you want to race it or just complete it - I needed 3 runs over 20 miles and should have done a fourth. Finished just over 4 hours. Had to walk/jog at 23 miles for half a mile but thoroughly enjoyed the day. Just remember to savour the day. Don't get drawn into going too fast at the start and plan your drinks/energy gels/food etc. The New Forest is a good half - have done it 5 times over the years but the crowds in the marathon have to be seen to be believed. Best of luck and enjoy it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 11 October, 2009 Share Posted 11 October, 2009 Some advice Don't Some more advice At Check-In, smile and say hello nicely Mention you are all excited because you are raising lots of money for charity Ask them if the flight is very full up And whether there is any chance they could halp to ensure that you get all the way around By upgrading you to Business So you can drink Champers all the way across the pond.... Seriously The day will be full of excietment but also pain. The point is that it will be one of the most special things you have or will ever do. Get focused but absorb EVERY moment, every time the pain hits look at the people in the crowd supporting you. Those memories are what you will take and will be with you forever. Don't leave that chance behind, live the moment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisobee Posted 12 October, 2009 Share Posted 12 October, 2009 Seriously The day will be full of excietment but also pain. The point is that it will be one of the most special things you have or will ever do. Get focused but absorb EVERY moment, every time the pain hits look at the people in the crowd supporting you. Those memories are what you will take and will be with you forever. Don't leave that chance behind, live the moment It will definitely be a great day but not necessarily painful if you have put in the training, don't try to go too fast ( several long runs at an even pace should help to establish a decent but comfortable pace)and take drinks as required. Cramp is the most likely problem and obviously if it is a hot day that becomes more likely. But whatever you do just blooming well enjoy the experience ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nineteen Canteen Posted 12 October, 2009 Share Posted 12 October, 2009 Buy a good bicycle? On a serious note Hypo, good luck - there is no better city to do a marathon IMO - and like you say it will be some experience. How do we sponsor you without using that generator of charitable begging letters 'justgiving.com'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 23 October, 2009 Author Share Posted 23 October, 2009 Use your 20 mile run next week as a practice run for the big day - wear the same clothes you plan to wear on race day, eat the same pre-race meal, use the same nutrition products (gels, sports drinks, etc) you will use on race day. On race day, as others have said try to start out slow - make sure you drink enough and then take it in and enjoy the experience. I'm quite jealous. I ran my first marathon here in San Diego this year and would love to run New York one day. Well I ran back from Winchester on Sunday. Was pretty hard the last couple of miles but I got back in about 2 and a half hours. Getting a bit excited now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 23 October, 2009 Author Share Posted 23 October, 2009 Some advice Don't Some more advice At Check-In, smile and say hello nicely Mention you are all excited because you are raising lots of money for charity Ask them if the flight is very full up And whether there is any chance they could halp to ensure that you get all the way around By upgrading you to Business So you can drink Champers all the way across the pond.... Seriously The day will be full of excietment but also pain. The point is that it will be one of the most special things you have or will ever do. Get focused but absorb EVERY moment, every time the pain hits look at the people in the crowd supporting you. Those memories are what you will take and will be with you forever. Don't leave that chance behind, live the moment Cheers Phil. I'll try to remember that when every step I take sends burning pain through my body! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 23 October, 2009 Author Share Posted 23 October, 2009 Buy a good bicycle? On a serious note Hypo, good luck - there is no better city to do a marathon IMO - and like you say it will be some experience. How do we sponsor you without using that generator of charitable begging letters 'justgiving.com'. Cheers 19, I really appreciate that. I do have a justgiving page but not sure how else to do it. I know you don't like paypal either. Maybe you could give any contribution to a mod who could then pass it on to me via paypal? Let me know and any contribution however small is appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedAndWhite91 Posted 23 October, 2009 Share Posted 23 October, 2009 I have no advice, but good luck, and fair play to you for doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 23 October, 2009 Author Share Posted 23 October, 2009 Also just to emphasise, I didn't set up this thread to ask for donations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nineteen Canteen Posted 24 October, 2009 Share Posted 24 October, 2009 Cheers 19, I really appreciate that. I do have a justgiving page but not sure how else to do it. I know you don't like paypal either. Maybe you could give any contribution to a mod who could then pass it on to me via paypal? Let me know and any contribution however small is appreciated. Hypo, pm me your justgiving address and I would be happy to make a donation. Given the effort you're going through to raise money I guess I'm being a tad churlish complaining about the junk mail that site generates. May come a time when I am grateful to receive some post in the curent circumstances even begging letters! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 24 October, 2009 Author Share Posted 24 October, 2009 Would just like to publically thank nineteen for his very generous donation to the cause. He didn't have to do that and actions do speak louder than words. We've disagreed a lot in the past but as he pointed out, some things go beyond a messageboard. Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddings and Monkeys Posted 28 October, 2009 Share Posted 28 October, 2009 Hypo - what's your race number? I'll be out there for on Sunday cheering a mate on and will look out for a fellow Saint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NY Saint Posted 29 October, 2009 Share Posted 29 October, 2009 The first mile will take a while as everyone is bunched together and walking. Don't let this make you think its affecting your overall time and rush to 'catch up' time and run an even race. NYC marathon's are noisy - bands and people cheering everywhere particularly on Manhattan - enjoy it and soak it in. Sunday looks like the best day of the week for weather here, and rained almost all day yesterday, hopefully it will stay somewhat cool for you. Good luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 3 November, 2009 Author Share Posted 3 November, 2009 Just back. Thanks everyone for your advice and support. sorry puddings and monkeys I didn't see you post until just now. Very very tired but it was an amazing experience. The first mile was great over the brooklyn bridge and a fantastic view. There are so many people lining the route (people think about 2 million) and the diversity of the areas we ran through was brilliant (predominantly black area, jewish area etc.) Some cracking live music round almost the whole course. My favourite was the gospel choir and some mental fat rocker bloke. As someone pointed out, the bridges are quite hard and the one just before manhatten is especially difficult. Once you get into manhatten it gives you a boost as the sheer amount of people is fantastic. I got a couple of bananas and some sweets from friendly passers by as well which helped. We had our names on the front of our running tops which meant that we got a lot of shouts and that was a good distraction to the growing pain in my right foot. From 20 miles onwards, it was just a case of coping through the pain and continually putting one foot in front of the other. There's a long straight bit just before central park at about 22 miles which really hurt but by then I knew I was going to finish and I knew it wasn't much longer until I could rest! We finished in 4 hours 49 minutes and 10 seconds which might not be the fastest, but then for me the achievement was finishing the thing and we managed to raise over 2k for MS which is another bonus. An amazing experience and something which you couldn't get anywhere else. It really hurts and at times you wonder why you are putting yourself through it, but I'm really proud of my medal because I know how much effort and training it took to get it. I know this might be boring for some but I just thought I'd share. I think I may go to bed in a bit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintds Posted 3 November, 2009 Share Posted 3 November, 2009 Just back. Thanks everyone for your advice and support. sorry puddings and monkeys I didn't see you post until just now. Very very tired but it was an amazing experience. The first mile was great over the brooklyn bridge and a fantastic view. There are so many people lining the route (people think about 2 million) and the diversity of the areas we ran through was brilliant (predominantly black area, jewish area etc.) Some cracking live music round almost the whole course. My favourite was the gospel choir and some mental fat rocker bloke. As someone pointed out, the bridges are quite hard and the one just before manhatten is especially difficult. Once you get into manhatten it gives you a boost as the sheer amount of people is fantastic. I got a couple of bananas and some sweets from friendly passers by as well which helped. We had our names on the front of our running tops which meant that we got a lot of shouts and that was a good distraction to the growing pain in my right foot. From 20 miles onwards, it was just a case of coping through the pain and continually putting one foot in front of the other. There's a long straight bit just before central park at about 22 miles which really hurt but by then I knew I was going to finish and I knew it wasn't much longer until I could rest! We finished in 4 hours 49 minutes and 10 seconds which might not be the fastest, but then for me the achievement was finishing the thing and we managed to raise over 2k for MS which is another bonus. An amazing experience and something which you couldn't get anywhere else. It really hurts and at times you wonder why you are putting yourself through it, but I'm really proud of my medal because I know how much effort and training it took to get it. I know this might be boring for some but I just thought I'd share. I think I may go to bed in a bit! Many congratulations on getting round, Hypo. I've done 2 FLM's myself so fully appreciate the effort, commitment and sheer strength of mind required to get round. I'm considering doing London and NY in 2011, assuming I can get places. Out of interest, how was the flight home? I find it bad enough in a car for 90 mins after London, so not sure how I'd cope with 6 or 7 hours on a plane. At least you can get up and walk around, or was it sleep all the way?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notnowcato Posted 3 November, 2009 Share Posted 3 November, 2009 Well done Hypo! Hope the foot isn't giving you too much grief. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 3 November, 2009 Author Share Posted 3 November, 2009 Many congratulations on getting round, Hypo. I've done 2 FLM's myself so fully appreciate the effort, commitment and sheer strength of mind required to get round. I'm considering doing London and NY in 2011, assuming I can get places. Out of interest, how was the flight home? I find it bad enough in a car for 90 mins after London, so not sure how I'd cope with 6 or 7 hours on a plane. At least you can get up and walk around, or was it sleep all the way?! It wasn't great but in truth not as bad as I had feared. The plane was totally full and they were looking to try to get people on a flight tomorrow but I wanted to get home and recover! I slept for most of the way so I suppose I'm one of the lucky ones but then a marathon does take it out of you a bit. Your legs do tend to seize up a little though. It was just under 6 hours though which is pretty good going I thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 3 November, 2009 Author Share Posted 3 November, 2009 Well done Hypo! Hope the foot isn't giving you too much grief. Well I'm told I run oddly with my right foot so I may see the doctor about that. Anything over 13 miles and my foot starts killing me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctoroncall Posted 3 November, 2009 Share Posted 3 November, 2009 Well I'm told I run oddly with my right foot so I may see the doctor about that. Anything over 13 miles and my foot starts killing me. It maybe your posture or your positioning of your feet. I have problems with shin splints and have found that orthotics have helped. See your doc or a podiatrist and they will see what is best. http://www.feetlife.co.uk/ and congratulations for competing and finishing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notnowcato Posted 3 November, 2009 Share Posted 3 November, 2009 There are physio's that specialise in gate analysis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 3 November, 2009 Author Share Posted 3 November, 2009 It maybe your posture or your positioning of your feet. I have problems with shin splints and have found that orthotics have helped. See your doc or a podiatrist and they will see what is best. http://www.feetlife.co.uk/ and congratulations for competing and finishing it. Cheers for that. When I was born my foot was twisted and it's straightened itself out over time. I think it may be something to do with that. I'll look into it. Not that I care much today though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 3 November, 2009 Share Posted 3 November, 2009 Well done Hypo, great effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintds Posted 3 November, 2009 Share Posted 3 November, 2009 There are physio's that specialise in gate analysis. Agreed. After I first did the FLM, I had all sorts of knee problems. Saw a Podiatrist who sorted me out with some orthotics (shoe inserts) and haven't looked back since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 3 November, 2009 Share Posted 3 November, 2009 Well done h, very well done indeed. I knew a chap (passeda way sadly) who ran the very first London marathon. His recollection of every step of every mile made my muscles tighten, you should be rightly proud. Would you do it again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedAndWhite91 Posted 3 November, 2009 Share Posted 3 November, 2009 Fair play to you, utmost respect for doing that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 4 November, 2009 Author Share Posted 4 November, 2009 Well done h, very well done indeed. I knew a chap (passeda way sadly) who ran the very first London marathon. His recollection of every step of every mile made my muscles tighten, you should be rightly proud. Would you do it again? Maybe in the future but thinking about the last six miles at the moment makes me feel slightly unwell to be honest! If I was to do another one then it would be another marathon though not New York. Once in a lifetime experience I think but I'll remember it forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallyboy Posted 4 November, 2009 Share Posted 4 November, 2009 excellent effort, something to be proud of - the money raised and the finish! And as the months pass by you will just remember the good bits which will make it even better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadgerBadger Posted 4 November, 2009 Share Posted 4 November, 2009 well done hypo - great achievement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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