This week on the Tuesdays on the Run linkup, we’re giving you a do-over. Aren’t we sweet? IF you had a chance to revisit a particular race, and run it again, either because you’d like to train for or run it differently than the way you did the first time around, or you’d like to relive the awesome, what race would you choose to revisit?
If I could turn back time, I’d go back and re-run the Grand Rapids Marathon exactly the same way I did it in 2008. It was my redemption race after finishing the inferno that was the 2007 Chicago Marathon (cancelled when I was at mile 22). I was maybe 18 months into distance running at this point, although I’d run 5k and 10k since 2000. After the heat in Chicago derailed me, I KNEW I had a better marathon in me and I wanted to see what I could do. I chose to run Grand Rapids the following year primarily because it was a little later in the year and in Michigan, so the likelihood of cool temps and fall colors was high. It was also known to be flat and fast, just the way I like to race.
While I’ve run other marathons that were epic for a variety of reasons (hello NYCM, MCM, Boston) this little marathon was where it all came together for me and I ran it more perfectly (with less agony) than any other I’ve run since. It was a PR, my first BQ and a game changer. The one that made it clear to me that I was capable of anything I set my mind to.
Rather than babble on about the way the planets (and my training) aligned that day, I want to help YOU run your best race. Here are some of the most important bases I covered to throw down that epic race:
Have a good reason to run. Don’t do it for Facebook accolades, because everyone else is doing it or to “prove” something to someone else. Your reason why must come from within, that’s where your motivation is born. Be selfish about your why. Do this for YOU.
Set a reasonable goal. IF you’re setting a time goal at all, set one that is realistically in your wheelhouse. A coach or pace calculator can help with this. The McMillan Running Calculator has never done me wrong.
Choose the right course. Does your body enjoy a change of terrain? Do you thrive on flat land? Can you handle heat? Rain? Do large crowds of spectators excite you? Overwhelm you? Are you happiest in a big city setting? Out in nature? Pick a race that will most likely deliver conditions in your running sweet spot.
Choose a training plan (or coach) that’s right for you. Are you a high mileage runner? Do you prefer less mileage and more cross training? Can you train alone? Is a group more your style?
Be impeccable with your training. Don’t blow it off. Don’t cut it short. Of course sh!$ happens and life gets in the way, but doing your absolute best with your training will pay off. This is where confidence is built. There’s so much to be said for standing at the starting line knowing you did everything you could to make the most of whatever the day brings.
Train the way you plan to race. If you’re going to carry fluids on race day, carry them during training runs. If you’re going to take walk breaks in the race, do that in training. Practice the intervals you’ll take fuel as well. Practice running your pace so you’ll be able to dial it in on race day. Rehearse your mental game as well. Pick a mantra for when the going gets tough, because it will.
Train for THE SPECIFIC racecourse. This is big and its one I’ve seen even very experienced running coaches miss. If you’re doing a hilly race, you’ve got to train for it. If the course has lots of turns, be mindful of running tangents. If certain parts of the course are unprotected (no shade, wind) or downright unsightly, you’ve got to get your head around this and be mentally prepared. Run portions of the course or drive it if possible. At the very least look at the course on a map before you run it so you have a idea of the elevations and your bearings.
Stick to your plan during the race. If the plan is to run even splits, do it. If you want to negative split, go for that. That doesn’t mean go bolting out of the starting corral (been there done that) because you feel especially “good”. Everybody feels good after a nice taper. Sometimes we make decisions based on what others around us are doing, and unless you’re gunning to win, how others are running are of no consequence to you. In the late miles when we are glycogen depleted, our judgement and decision making process may be foggy as well. That’s why it’s important to have your race plan made in advance.
How about you? What race would you do over? Would you relive the glory or run it differently? What elements went into your best race?
I’m linking up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs for the Coaches’ Corner linkup!
Be sure to join us right here this Friday and the last Friday of every month for the Runfession Friday linkup! I promise you’ll feel better!
Loading InLinkz ...
I have bad luck with weather at marathons so I am a bit weary to run and train for a fast one. I am getting the itch to get back out there and train for a Fall 17 marathon
Hmmmmm….Thelma was thinking a do-over from a craptastic marathon (taking a stab at any 20 of them!!!!), but I like your style so I’ll go with St. George Marathon in 2008. It isn’t my PR race but it was the smartest marathon I ran, and my first BQ. I smushed that time-goal of 3:55 by 11 minutes and ran a 3:44 that day. What the hell happened to me since then? Gaaaahhhhhh……
Can’t wait to see you. Been on the fence whether I’d go or not with this foot….but I’m IN!!
xoxo
All great tips, Marcia! I always give training my all, and that’s why I’m excited at the start, not freaking out. But life still does get in the way! As it certainly did this training cycle. Luckily I’ve learned a thing or two in the last 5 years & that got me to the start line knowing I was ok to race. Secretly hoping I was more than ok — and I was!
Great great tips! I think the best advice that I can give my clients and athletes is simply to remind them to take each mile as it comes, both in training as well as the big day. It is so easy to lose perspective, to get caught up in the idea of the 20 miler when you are only running 5, or to think about mile 20 when you are at mile 5. You need to remember that you are running a marathon, but you always stick to the mile that you are currently running!
These are great tips. I give all sorts of advice to others all the time. But when you’re the one racing like I am this weekend, it’s harder to listen to yourself than other people. So thanks for this very timely post. 🙂
Thanks to a little prodding from a friend, I was able to do over a not so epic Chicago Marathon and make it epic. It was truly a magical, perfect race. Your guidance and insistence that I could run the race I had in me were instrumental in making that happen.
I use a lot of these tips when training for any of my races. Sometimes I do have to adjust my race plan depending on how I’m feeling and the crowds around me. Doing that let me finish the Tinkerbell 10k feeling strong, with minimal pain. I don’t think I’ve had a race plan really because there are so many elements on race day.
I wish I could re-live the Runner’s World Hat Trick that I did in 2015. It was such an epic weekend and I was sad to miss out on it next year but looking forward to hopefully doing it again next year!
Only 4 weeks to go until my marathon so this post was the confidence booster I needed! I’ve been following a training plan that works for me and have been consistent with my training. I’ve also been treating every long run as a rehearsal for race day – fueling and hydrating like I plan to during the race. Now I just need to stick to my plan during the race!
These sound like great tips! Every time you talk about running a marathon you make it sound so doable and then I remember I could never run that long 😉 lol
These are great tips. It’s important to focus on your own plan and your own race. Sometimes we get caught up in what’s going on around us and what others are doing, we lose sight of the plan we’ve laid out for ourselves. But even when things fall apart, there’s always another race around the corner that will allow for another opportunity.
I love these tips! Things really do have to come together on race day which makes a good marathon all the more memorable and special.
Love this! Think ahead to when I do bite the bullet of another marathon. I have been thinking about some of these, I mean I can choose which race I want so naturally I want to do one that I will enjoy but do well at, right! I need variety! I like City and nature, Hills and flat. Not too hot, not too cold either! I’m still deciding on THE race.
Do-over = Memphis would be a do-over for me where I came within less than a minute of a new PR!
It is a blessing to have the race where everything does align! and you nail it 🙂 It is good to carry you forward!
LOVE all the tips and I am feeling good, I have practiced several of them 🙂 I am set up for a good race – now i just need the weather to hop onboard.
I have my goal in my head 🙂 and my dream one lol
Love your advice, Marcia! I’m still a few weeks away from Philly, but I will definitely keep in mind that I need to stick with my plan and not get carried away in the beginning of the race. I’m so excited to see how it goes!
What a fabulous, positive spin on this topic!
I’ll tell you what: the 2014 Space Coast Half Marathon was pretty magical for me. It was a PR, but I felt freaking strong and happy and ready to conquer the world when it was over. I wish I could bottle that feeling.
Love your tips! It’s so key to have your own why… you need to be mentally committed, to have some reason to get out of bed and get those long runs in when you may not feel like it.
I loved your topic last week on goal check ins and am writing about that one today to catch up!
I’d have to do my first marathon over from December last year. If I had known I would have been so close to getting that BQ maybe I could have pushed a little more. I felt like I left it all out there, but now that I’ve run one, I know what I need to change.
All great tips Marcia! I think it’s especially important to remember your “why”
I always feel like I do so much better when I race on a flat course, as they have always been my best times in marathons.
Great tips. I have big plans in mind for the future when I get healthy and you mentioned lots of the things i hope to hit. I plan on running a fall marathon each year for fun. But know it is so hot here in the summer that my training isn’t the bets which is why I plan to do a flat, fast Feb/March marathon for time
I love all the races I ran Marcia – the good ones and the not-so-good ones. The not-so-good ones I started appreciating later, usually months after they were over. They taught me so much. I love the running journey itself so much, so I see every completed run or race as an achievement. It’s such a great sport and I don’t take it for granted. Thanks for sharing some of your past marathons experiences with us. I’m sure you felt like a million bucks when you qualified for Boston!!!
Wow, those are some impressive races you’ve completed! Your tips sound great and ALMOST make me believe that I too could complete a full…but then, that is what makes you a great running coach I’m sure! 🙂
This is a fantastic collection of tips. My favorite is the one about training for the specific course. I’ve definitely learned that lesson the hard way more times than I care to admit!
Great words of impeccable wisdom 😉 I’m toying with the notion of heading back to Duluth and taking another stab at Grandma’s Marathon next June. I loved the course, and for the most part, I loved the race itself….I just would like to see how much better I can do without numerous porta-pot stops (due to some icky tummy issues).
Great tips! I’ve been thinking about signing up for the Chicago marathon this year to give it a re-do from my 2012 race!
Marcia this is an amazing post! I especially like your first point about having a reason to run. So many people feel like they have to run a marathon to feel like they are really a runner. I don’t know when runner became synonymous with marathon. I’ve run races for good reasons and bad reasons and it really makes a huge difference. If people follow these tips, they are sure to have a great race!
I feel decently good reading through this checklist! My one thing at this point for MCM is to follow my race plan!
These are really great tips – and good for me to think about as I contemplate tossing my name in the ring ,,,,
Great reminders and made me feel good about my race next week.
I have tried all methods but it is not effective. Could you suggest another way?
Great tips. Your article reminds me about my first race. There were some things that I really to turn back the time to re-do it.
Many thanks for your suggestion. I’ll take it and bring it all my ways.
Great suggestions. It makes me love my next way