First Half-Marathon advice

[ÜberDan]

Hi all,

Got my first ever half-marathon this Sunday 5th Feb. I've done a few 10 mile runs now so feel confident with the distance and am really looking forward to it. There are 2400 entrants so will be a great atmosphere and the weather has been mild lately so that's good.

Does anyone have any advice on loading up on carbs for the day? Runs at 10.30am so will have a light breakfast but is plenty of pasta advisable the night before?

Thanks,

Dan

[marktb]

I think training the body to use fat as fuel is better than loading up on carbs, which basically is an inefficient fuel source. Are you carb-loading now before you long runs? If not, dont start doing something you dont normally do.

Mark Baldwin

[ÜberDan]

Thanks Mark for the reply. At the moment I have two styles of running a slower run with a heart rate of 150/5 which I suspect is a fat burner session and a slightly faster pace with a heart rate of 165/70 which I suspect is burning carbs. At my present distances I can use either although feel worse after a carb burning session. I'm keen to challenge myself to a good time and would like under 1.45 which would be a fast time for me hence the interest in loading up on carbs. I agree with what you're saying though if i vary from my norm too much before the day I could spoil it.

Ultimately will change to a fat burner as I want to do triathlons this year and maybe half iron man in future, one step at a time though

[I AM]

Originally Posted by ÜberDan

Hi all,

Got my first ever half-marathon this Sunday 5th Feb. I've done a few 10 mile runs now so feel confident with the distance and am really looking forward to it. There are 2400 entrants so will be a great atmosphere and the weather has been mild lately so that's good.

Does anyone have any advice on loading up on carbs for the day? Runs at 10.30am so will have a light breakfast but is plenty of pasta advisable the night before?

Thanks,

Dan

Hey Dan,
Congratulations on your first half. I have been running marathons for 6 years now. I carb load for the few days before. I eat pasta for lunch and dinner for the 2 days before. (That would be today). I would not worry about carb loading too much if you have been running 10 miles without problems. The carb loading really keeps you from burning protiens for energy after you have run out of easily converted carbs and sugars. If you have ever "hit the wall" you know exactly what I am talking about. Do you use any goo's when you run?

The main thing, is DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING. Do exactly what you do when you train. As long as 10 miles feels good, and you have done it a few times, you will have no issues.

Remember, it is all psychological at the end. Just belive you can do it, and you can!.

Oh, Dont start off too fast. This is a common issue with new runners. Keep your normal pace. You will want to run as fast as everyone else in all the excitement. Just run how you run.

Good luck!!

-Joe

[ÜberDan]

Great stuff I AM, running marathons for 6 years, love it. I've always seen a marathon as a once in a lifetime event Starting to change my view on that now though

Good advice, thanks. Have done a few shorter races and it's very easier to get caught up with the energy of the crowd at the start so i'll fight the urge and pace from the start.

By goo's do you mean energy gel? Not touched 'em yet would you recommend them?

I'm really looking forward to it, i'm used to competitive sports which for me this is not so am very excited.

[icesar]

Hi Dan, good luck on your first half; it sounds like you're ready. I think you have pretty much all the advice you need here. If you're planning on running your faster pace and you've carb loaded in the past, then go right ahead and have some pasta! That's usually the route I take before a big event.

My only addition would be to make sure you don't do any running today or tomorrow, except perhaps for warming up your muscles so you can stretch them. This helps you store the carbs, and also gives your body the rest it needs before the big event.

[ÜberDan]

Thanks for all your helpful advice. The race went well and I finished in 1:51 which is a bit slower than my 1:45 target but I loved it and was a great day.

There were lots of hills that I wasn't expecting which didn't seem to hinder my progrss too much until the 11 mile marker. I reached this is 1:30 which was a good pace for me then my calves didn't want to push me any further. I wouldn't let myself walk but it did take another 21 minutes to complete the last two longest miles i've ever run

I'm keen for another one now on a flat course