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We’re just weeks from the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. This 8th edition of the classic that has been embraced by the city, state, in fact the nation will find individuals of every size, shape, and age departing the start line to celebrate perseverance and striving to overcome obstacles. What we can take from this event is something much more than simply performance of an athletic endeavor. In three short years, whether walking, running, volunteering or cheering, this marathon-and the celebration of life, unity, and inclusion that always ensues-has truly become a “run to remember” for those who take part.
Here are a few questions I’ve recently received from three individuals. Notwithstanding the fact they’ll participate in different events and have very different goals April 25th, they share common ground: all strive to experience the thrill and inner victory that comes with challenging ourselves to find the “athlete” inside us all.
Q: I’m doing the 5K as part of a relay team, and it’s my first organized event ever. I don’t know what to expect, but I’ve watched the marathon every year, and I wanted to do my part to contribute this year, while doing something good for myself. I want to do my best, but am concerned about not finishing. My teammates assure me not to worry about how fast I go, but I’m not sure I can run the whole thing. Should I try to run as far as I can, or start by walking and running, even though it’ll slow down my time? Carolyn, Edmond, 55.
A: I strongly urge you to take your teammates at their word, Carolyn, and not concern yourself with how fast you do your leg. The camaraderie you’ll experience that day will supercede the gratification any finish time could offer you, so make sure you’re fresh enough to enjoy it all. I urge many runners to savor their “firsts” like it’ll never happen again, because that very accomplishment won’t! Whether it’s your first time walking a mile without stopping, running 10 miles in pursuit of a marathon, as Natalie Merchant offers in the song: “These are days to remember”….. If you’re comfortable running 2 miles, and running it all is important, I say go for it on that day, as especially with the OKCMM, the excitement is at a fever pitch, and that pomp and pageantry can play to your advantage. Check yourself often in the first mile to see that you’re running “within yourself”, and that the environment didn’t propel you to a too-quick start, common for runners at every level. You know by now your approximate pace, so at Mile 1, make sure you’re reasonably close to it (you’ll probably be quicker, and that’s fine; just not TOO much quicker.) Take in the sights and sounds; the cheering you hear will be for YOU as much so as for the race leaders, and remember what remains the ultimate goal for all of us; to finish! For you and your relay team, the joint accomplishment will be savored far more than finishing a couple of minutes faster. And who knows, this may be the start of something big for you; if you choose, there are many races to come where your focus can be the clock.
Q: I’m sharing the marathon with a friend, my first timed half-marathon. I’m trying to get used to taking in fluids and other aid, but I don’t really know how best to optimize their benefits. I’ve tried Clif Shots and GU, but don’t really like the way I feel afterwards. Do you suggest I eat before the race, and when do I start drinking once the race starts. Stephanie, Lawton, 23.
A: A lot of runners get great benefit from the replenishments you mentioned, but if you experience stomach trouble or can’t get comfortable with them, don’t worry about having to use them. It’s counter-productive to force yourself on raceday to do anything that compromises your CONFIDENCE level. For those who use those substances, I suggest taking one/hour, or slightly sooner if you feel the need. With any aids, whether water, Powerade (the drink you’ll find at the OKCMM) bananas, energy bars, etc. the goal is to never feel you urgently hungry or thirsty; i.e. to stay ahead of the curve. One way to accomplish this is to start early and take in liquids often. This doesn’t mean a lot at one time; in fact, try to avoid that: 3-4 sips every time should keep you comfortable and replenished, while not having the discomfort of feeling like there’s a river inside your stomach, because you swilled too much at once. If conditions are warmer, adjust accordingly, but a steady approach (as with your race pace) is most beneficial to optimum effort. If you’re not used to drinking and running at the same time, walk through the water stops; definitely worth the few extra seconds.
As for eating before the race, I don’t do so before an early-morning event, but most do. And at the half or full-marathon distance, I’m starting to change my thinking, and go with something light and bland, like oatmeal, a banana, or a bagel. Just make sure you give yourself 90 minutes before you start running if you do eat. There are as many approaches as there are athletes out there; part of my comfort level pre-race is reached by having a cup of coffee. You’ll discover yours as you race more, but again, the common denominator for success is to not try anything for the first time race morning; shoes, a type of food, new drink. Keep it simple, and even practice it before a long run.
MARATHON UPDATE:
You’re 12 days out, it’s key to find a happy medium between gearing the training down and still keeping the legs-and mind-loose. For almost anyone, but certainly beginning to intermediate marathoners and half-marathoners, the more you can keep yourself OFF your legs those final 10 days, the better. Your conditioning can’t change over this timeframe (unless you make multiple trips daily to McDonald’s) and the more time spent relaxing mentally, the stronger your confidence level. Accentuate the positives, minimize the negatives as you envision how your day will play out; from here, it’s mainly keeping the schedule status quo (so you don’t do TOO much thinking) and spending that extra time you’re usually running doing light stretching, relaxing and taking a load off your mind!
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