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Apr 2023
11:49am, 9 Apr 2023
1,847 posts
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Vixx
Would like guidance from all levels of experience here please?
I have run 28 marathons, most were before some surgery (non-running impacting) in 2013. However, since then I had a knee issue and have done less marathon running. Knee issue is no longer, but I feel like I am psyched out of running the longer distances, which I used to enjoy (6hrs+ with no nagging!)
Last marathon was (I think) 2018. I am entered for next week's Manchester Marathon and have a place in October for Chicago (both of which I have done before, although Chicago was the infamous 2007 so never got to finish). Yet I am psyching myself out. I'll be close to the time limit for Manchester as it used to be 7, now is 6. The organisers have said I'll probably have 6.5hrs and I did a 20 miler (split up due to work) in a total time of 4:43:xx and two or three of those miles were walked. I know I can do it, and I have done it - but how can I stop myself psyching myself out.
Whether you are fast or slow over the distance - how do you stop the mental mouthpiece from trying to stop you before you start?
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Apr 2023
11:53am, 9 Apr 2023
42,178 posts
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EvilPixie
I’m your pace (when trained 😂😮)
You need to stay in the moment, remember you have done it before and therefore know you can do it
Plus the big one of running your race and not getting too excited
You can and will do it
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Apr 2023
12:19pm, 9 Apr 2023
14,457 posts
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HowFar?
I just tried to break the race down into chunks. Standing at the start, thinking that I had 26 miles to go was a bit daunting (to say the least) but getting to 5 miles, or 10k, or whatever you find most helpful, may be easier to think about.
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Apr 2023
3:02pm, 9 Apr 2023
3,186 posts
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Fellrunning
I've not run many road marathons in my time. The one I found that worked best for me I ran in about 4hrs (I've got a certificate somewhere but not to hand). I used a run/walk technique: 1 mile run followed by 2 min walk. At each mile marker I rewarded myself with a Dolly mixture and swig of my drink.
I was very disciplined and didn't vary the pattern. For the first 8 miles I had people passing me. After that I was pulling people back.
Only slight wrinkle was that at about half way a guy who I kept passing on the run bit got annoyed when I stopped to walk and he caught me up again. He thought I was taking the Mickey...
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Apr 2023
5:12pm, 9 Apr 2023
1,051 posts
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Shades
Great advice already posted above.
A fuelling plan, like Fellrunning's dolly mixture, is important. If you skip your planned sweet/gel, low blood sugar will affect your brain and can give you those nasty negative thoughts.
Socialising with other runners around you, having a laugh and supporting each other.
Enjoy the occasion, don't fear it.
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Apr 2023
5:25pm, 9 Apr 2023
6,446 posts
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Little Miss Happy
Be prepared for the negative thoughts and have positive ones ready to replace them with. Whether fast or slow I think most people have those moments when they wonder why and being able to answer that quickly and positively makes a lot of difference.
Because I can. Because I want to. Yes, I expected it to hurt. I want to finish. I'll know whether I did the best I could on the day or not. Do I really want to tell everyone that I gave up because it got a bit hard?
These are all ones I've used myself over the years.
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Apr 2023
5:41pm, 9 Apr 2023
4,355 posts
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jabberknit
I break the race down into sections - first 7 miles, then 3 miles to double figures, another 3 miles to halfway, another 3 miles to 16 then I can count down in single figures, at Mile 20, just 10k to go, at Mile 23, just a parkrun left.
Having done a lot of maras, I know there will be low points (for me often around Miles 6-7, 11, 17-19 and 22-23) but I will get through those sections. As Shades says, a well-timed fuel boost can really help you along too.
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Apr 2023
6:00pm, 9 Apr 2023
3,452 posts
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panad
The mental side of a marathon is massive in my opinion. I aim to be totally honest with myself as to my intentions - ie only saying I’m happy with xxxxx (whatever that might be) if that is *truly* how I feel. If I have a target, have a plan B and plan C (at least) in case it is not the right day for whatever reason.
Past that having a tried and tested (in training) plan for fuelling, and sticking to it, making sure I start off at what feels like a painfully slow pace regardless of what others are doing, and breaking the race down into miles, 5km, 10km, half, ‘just a parkrun to go’, ‘just xxxxx (insert a regular, familiar training route) to go’ type segments.
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Apr 2023
6:13pm, 9 Apr 2023
3,269 posts
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Ally-C
I break them down, first 5k, get to 10k, halfway, then 20 miles with 10k to go, another 5k after that to leave a Parkrun.
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Apr 2023
6:56pm, 9 Apr 2023
10,975 posts
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Fragile Do Not Bend
I find that switching my focus to something else helps. Maybe listening to some music or paying more attention to your surroundings or your fellow runners.
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Can anyone suggest a good way of carrying gels on a marathon?
Aug 2024