Precautions for First-time marathoners
Like me there are several runners who are attempting their first marathons. We have questions and more questions for our goal is to finish the first marathon (42k) and like Dick Beardsley, an American marathon champion, said: ``Once you cross that finish line, no matter how slow you were, no matter how fast you were, your life changes forever.''
I want my life to change forever, so would others I guess. I have several questions/doubts about how to go about running this event. And though We have trained our butts off, we would like to get proper mental preparedness only because RACE DAY is completely different from what we have experienced during training.
What do we eat, how early do we eat, what to wear (sunglasses to ward off the glare and caps, colour of our vests, does black attract too much of heat), do we carry our water/water belts, how do you approach the task, do you look forward to the finish and destroy the mind or take it one km at a time, how to keep hydrating, how not to race with others and set your own target, and last of all, HOW TO TACKLE THE LAST 4-7 KMS.
We have several champion runners who have gone through this process of running their first Marathon. Now they are the masters and willing guides. But the forum is open for all kinds of discussions.
I for one have already decided what to wear, what to eat and what to carry as food and drink. Though the organisers have promised to keep water on the Sea Link, I as a precautionary measure will carry water.
Pour your hearts out!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Apurva Shah on -
I'm attempting my first FM. I've been wondering what i should carry as food. Was thinking about a couple of Horlicks Nutribars. Would it be sufficient or is there a better option (thats available in B'bay of course)?
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Permalink Reply by V Anand on
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I am going to run with lemon candy. I keep it in my mouth and it provides me with the necessary sugar for nearly 30-40 minutes. I did try Raisins, but it did not work for me.
Apurva Shah said:I'm attempting my first FM. I've been wondering what i should carry as food. Was thinking about a couple of Horlicks Nutribars. Would it be sufficient or is there a better option (thats available in B'bay of course)?
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Permalink Reply by Ashwin on -
One of the lessons I learnt from my lone previous marathon is to keep drinking water/sport drink right from the 1st kilometer, even if you are not thirsty. Considering the heat & humidity that is expected in Mumbai, hydration becomes all the more important as you are going to sweat profusely throughount the run owing to the weather conditions.
Although drinking too much might necessiate a toilet break around the halfway mark, it is still way better than getting dehydrated I feel.
I wouldn't trust the organizers to provide much support on the drinks front, so intend to make my own arrangements. Carrying a fuel belt, and taking a friend's help to meet you midway to refuel is a possible solution
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Permalink Reply by Apurva Shah on
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I intend to carry my own bottle as well. Though water arrangements are generally good, sports drinks are too few and far between. On my long runs i carry water heavily spiked with GluconD or Gatorade; will do the same on race day. All the best. :)
Ashwin said:One of the lessons I learnt from my lone previous marathon is to keep drinking water/sport drink right from the 1st kilometer, even if you are not thirsty. Considering the heat & humidity that is expected in Mumbai, hydration becomes all the more important as you are going to sweat profusely throughount the run owing to the weather conditions.
Although drinking too much might necessiate a toilet break around the halfway mark, it is still way better than getting dehydrated I feel.
I wouldn't trust the organizers to provide much support on the drinks front, so intend to make my own arrangements. Carrying a fuel belt, and taking a friend's help to meet you midway to refuel is a possible solution
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Ashwin, Apurva: From the time I learnt to carry a belt or water bottle on my runs, I have taken a sip of water every 15 minutes. I guess I can have a sip of water ever water station because according to my pace I will get a water station between 13-14 minutes over four-5 and half hours of my run. and My water bottle will be for emergencies, for the last few kms if and when water stations disappear.
This time the organisers have promised to keep water stations at the sea link. Let's hope it remains for us trundlers
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Permalink Reply by Pandurang Narayan on -
Where can one buy a " water-belt" or a "fanny -pack"( read in the internet) in Mumbai ?
Also, is there any way to plan for the 'toilet breaks', since the porta-toilets are very far in between.
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There is one available at Selection sport, near Metro. it comes with those two-bottle belts. Each bottle can hold about 250-300ml water.
I am not setting my mind on toilet breaks. Trained in such a way though I could just stop by the roadside early in the morning. I use the `rest room' prior to my run. Drain out the excess water!!!
Pandurang Narayan said:Where can one buy a " water-belt" or a "fanny -pack"( read in the internet) in Mumbai ?
Also, is there any way to plan for the 'toilet breaks', since the porta-toilets are very far in between.
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Permalink Reply by Ram on -
Today, i managed to do 30 kms in four hours at mahalakshmi race course before the unrelenting sun at 10.30 a.m. (i started at 6.25 a.m.) put paid to any further efforts. i think that if somehow i can pull it upto 30 kms in four hours, then remaining 12 kms i will run/walk or walk/ run or walk/walk to reach the finish line. MRC is an open field so when the sun decides that enough is enough, it hits you badly. Fortunately, we might have few shades from the buildings etc. on the route.
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Finally the first marathon is only about crossing the finish line. How we do it, who really cares?
Ram said:
Today, i managed to do 30 kms in four hours at mahalakshmi race course before the unrelenting sun at 10.30 a.m. (i started at 6.25 a.m.) put paid to any further efforts. i think that if somehow i can pull it upto 30 kms in four hours, then remaining 12 kms i will run/walk or walk/ run or walk/walk to reach the finish line. MRC is an open field so when the sun decides that enough is enough, it hits you badly. Fortunately, we might have few shades from the buildings etc. on the route.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Dsouza on -
Hallo Anand, Last year i had started a discussion on the Do's & Dont's of a marathon, it has a number of links, will take some time to go thru each one.
But sad to say i have stopped or / reduced giving my inputs on running, some do not agree with me, so WHY unnecessarily hurt some one. its ok with me.
But dont bother about me, U go STRONG.
http://runnersforlife.com/group/runrunrunmumbairun/forum/topics/cou...
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Michael it is not about agreeing or disagreeing. This I started so that first-timers can frankly ask and state whatever they want to say. Anyway, what is true for me may not work for you. So why argue?
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