I registered to run my first marathon this past weekend. I’ll be running the Five Points Marathon in Gainesville, Florida on February 22, 2009. I started running again a couple weeks ago and so far so good. Aside from some knee pain I feel great (the tiger balm is helping a lot with that). I finally have the right gear for long distance runs and I am happy to say there have been no recurrences of the infamous bleeding nipple (see video below).
I do have some concerns about the big run. What happens if I need to go to the bathroom? Are there going to be toilets? Gainesville has more hills than Orlando, I won’t be used to that. What if I am super slow? Will they boot me from the course?
My friend Courtney Benefiel told me I needed a training plan. I looked on a bunch of different sites, then put something together based on my current ability and timing of the race. It’s a progressive schedule with breaks between many of the runs.
The 8 mile run yesterday was fine, but the 14 mile run this Sunday kinda scares the crap out of me. It will be the longest run I have ever done (my previous best was 13 miles). Wish me luck… I may need it.
That’s great news Ted! I don’t know if you’re aware or not, but marathons are extremely addictive. You run one and then wonder if you could improve your time if you tried again and the cycle continues.
I am sure that there will be bathrooms on the course. For a race of that distance there usually are. That should be the least of your worries.
I would consider getting some nip guards or at the very least some body glide to prevent the “issue” you expereinced previously.
If you need hills, think about doing some of your runs in Clermont. Let me know if you need more details on that.
Again, Congratulations for takng the step and making a commitment to become one of the .1 of 1% !
I look forward to hearing about how your training goes.
Way to go Ted, more power to you for running this marathon.
Ted,
My buddy Dan ran a marathon and could possibly give you some tips / answer questions.
@fiercepowahs
Good luck!
On an occasion like this, I can say only one thing: Better you then me. hehehe.
good luck! my husband ran a half in april and is running a marathon in march. he’s planning on a 50-mile ultra next november. i don’t know how you all do it. i couldn’t even run a mile!
good luck with the run dood…
Jeff Galloway has a running site with some great tips for training http://www.jeffgalloway.com/ .
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