Nine things I’ve learned about the marathon as a 2:50 marathoner and coach
- Carb-loading and fueling properly during the race will make or break the last 10K
- Carrying a handheld until mile 18/20 was a game-changer for me
- If you’re traveling, fly into town at least 2 days before the race. TMI, but if you get constipated on planes, plan ahead for that with laxatives and eat fiber upon landing
- Get a hotel or Airbnb as close to the start of the race as possible, even if it costs more. Your anxiety will diminish substantially
- Drive or run the course/parts of the course beforehand if you can, and study the elevation profile
- Pack more gels than you need in case you drop a couple! Happens all the time
- Make sure your stomach can tolerate the sports drink on the course. If it can’t, bring your own or take salt tabs
- You do NOT have to run 20 miles before the race to be prepared for the distance. Total weekly mileage and back-to-back runs will prepare you far more. That said, you may mentally NEED to run 20 miles to feel confident, and that’s ok!
- Don’t worry about quality/quantity of sleep the night before the race. Your nerves may keep you up later than you’d like. Instead, prioritize sleep the several days before.
