I already talked about a few things I love about running. For this Friday Five honoring National Running Day, I’m going to share five mistakes I made when I trained for my first marathon. There were many more but I’m going to stick to just five today. Speaking of marathons, I finally solidified my training plan for both Wineglass and Marine Corps this year. I’m going to use Wineglass as a long training run (hopefully a fun one) for Marine Corps. That doesn’t necessarily mean that Marine Corps is my goal race. Depending on how Wineglass turns out will decide that. If I get around my goal time at Wineglass, I’ll plan to take it easy at Marine Corps. However, Marine Corps has the advantage of being in my city and I should have a number of awesome friends to support me. Anyway, I’m getting ahead of myself. All that to say, I’ll be sharing the basics of my training plan on the blog soon, so look out for that. On to marathon training mistakes!! Per usual, I’m linking up with my girls Cynthia and Mar for the #Friday Five. You can read our linkup rules here. Please note that if you don’t play nicely, we will delete your link.
- Not being diligent about my training plan. I had a plan and I followed it…loosely. I missed a couple runs, shortened a couple of longer runs and ignored cross training. Even though I did okay on the running end, the lack of cross training killed me. This time around (I’ve now run four marathons – read about each of them here, here, here and here), I will not be ignoring cross training. Pure Barre for the win, y’all!
- Eating whatever I wanted because I “deserved” it. Yeah, that’s how you gain weight marathon training. Look, I know better than to expect to lose weight during marathon training. But I also now know that it’s near impossible to outrun a poor diet. So, this time around I’m striving to eat healthfully and not use food as a reward (except after 20 miles and the races…because c’mon!).
- Not experimenting enough with fuel. I pretty much lived on Shot Bloks during my first marathon training cycle. Which wasn’t a problem…until it was. I discovered around mile 18 that I simply couldn’t stomach the sweet, sugary chews for much more than three hours. A problem because I’m more like a five hour marathoner. I was too overwhelmed to figure out something else so I just kept going with Shot Bloks (which I do like, by the way – especially the margarita flavor – I just can’t eat them exclusively for miles on end). I fixed this by experimenting more. Now I use a variety of things as fuel when running long (apple slices, shot bloks, honey stinger chews, etc.).
- Not previewing the course enough. I didn’t think Richmond was going to be as hilly as it was and I didn’t train enough on hills. I know that Wineglass is a net downhill with some rolling hills in the middle and I’ll be prepared for that. I’ve been running some hills during my long runs and that will help on race day. As for Marine Corps, I’ll have basically run almost the entire course by race day which is a great comfort. Benefit of running your hometown marathon!
- Having a time goal. I think that for a first marathon, the goal should be to have fun. That was my goal but I had a time goal as well and was disappointed when I didn’t meet it. The disappointment didn’t last long but I wish I’d just never put an arbitrary number in my head to start with!
Have you run a marathon? What mistakes did you make in training?
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Great tips, Courtney! I still really struggle with #1. I’m lazy. 🙂
Molly@alsoranagain.com recently posted…Checking in just to be random
whatevs, you are a rockstar and we both know it! 🙂
these are fantastic tips! I definitely did not do it right during my first marathon training session-I did not skip runs but I dont think I cross trained enough. That is what I am working on now: making sure to keep up with strength training, cross training and stretching every day
yes! it’s SO important. i know that putting it out there will help keep me motivated 🙂
Love the margarita shot bloks! Haha everyone thinks it’s a strange flavor, but definitely my favorite! Thanks for the great tips!
The salt really helps, actually 🙂
I thought my training for my first marathon went great, it was the race that didn’t go as planned..lol. I do want to experiment more with fuels though next time. I usually take the fruit flavored GUs and I once used a Caramel one and although it was yummy, it did not sit well with my tummy. I don’t know if that was a coincidence or not.
PS, I may see you in DC for MCM weekend!
Yes! I would LOVE to meet you during MCM weekend!!!
Oh, this is so exciting! I can’t wait to follow along on your training, and please make me come run part of one of your long runs with you. I just need to put it on my calendar!
I love the way you said, “it’s near impossible to outrun a poor diet.” I may borrow that with my clients! 🙂
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…National Running Day Demands Sparkle!
If you are okay with slowing down, that would be awesome!! I’d even come to you for the run 🙂 Yay!!
Thanks for this! I’ll be training for my first marathon in October! 🙂
Sherry recently posted…Friday Five: 5 Reasons to Run
Thanks for the tips. I am indeed anticipating my first marathon in 2016 so am interested in all the advice I can get. Have a great weekend !
karen – Fit in France recently posted…Friday Five : National Running Day Survey
Great points! Fueling is a huge one – I feel like I personally am worried to experiment with things because of the potential consequences. I plan on working on this more during the winter during treadmill runs when I’m close to a bathroom just in case!
Kristen recently posted…Friday Five: Five Things To Do While Running
I actually think sometimes I get into trouble by following a training plan too closely. Pure Barre is a great supplement to marathon training! Its all about learning from our mistakes and making better choices the next time, right?:)
Lisa @ RUnning Out Of Wine recently posted…5 Reasons To Run
Yes, I’ve run four and just signed up for number 5!! I’m addicted lol my mistakes are similar to yours—time goal for marathon number one…eating too much junk…lol I used Shot Bloks too but now I really just use whatever Gatorade and orange slices are on hand at the races. I’m wanting to run DC eventually whenever travel finally works out in the budget. It looks so beautiful!
Jess@ flying feet recently posted…Thinking Out Loud: Running Can Change Instantly, What To Do When…
My first marathon was NYCM and I didn’t preview the course enough either. Honestly I had no idea how hilly and hard the course was. This is a great post and I think a lot of people can learn from it!
Hollie recently posted…Lorraine.
MADE THEM ALL! You can research all you want, but the only way to be totally ready for a marathon is through experience. As long as you learn from it, its worth it!
Michelle recently posted…Body Burning Weighted Ball HIIT Workout
Just about all of the experts and coaches that I met as I was going into my first marathon told me that my goal should be to finish. Of course, I had other aspirations! But I learned the hard way that in the end, you are just happy to run the whole thing and cross that line!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Cross Training Through Running Injury
I think the eating one is so important. The “I deserve it” or “I need the fuel argument” has fattened me up and slowed me down MANY times. In 2007, I ran 4 marathons and gained 5 lbs. And it took a few years to get rid of those extras! I would say it is good to have a time goal. But that it needs to be realistic based on your training and approach and that you should also have a back up goal and the ability to throw away the goal if you just “don’t have it” that day. I love Meb’s approach in his recent book Meb for Mortals.
Thanks for the link up! Today was my first time joining!
Erica @ Erica Finds recently posted…Friday Finds: 5 Running “Finds” for National Running Day
Great tips Courtney! Cross training is the area I am focusing on the moat going into my second marathon. Yay for barre and other activities!
Those are some good points. I sort of expected/hoped to lose weight during marathon training but it didn’t happen. I would also want to experiment more with fueling this time around- I want to try to make my own GU’s!
Nora @ 2 generations running recently posted…Friday 5 {National Running Day!}
Oooh that is ambitious – I would love to read about that!
I respect the distance too much to not stick to my training plan! It’s 26.2 miles! Yikes!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…A matter of perspective
I actually didn’t eat enough once I started my longer training runs. I saw I lost weight at my annual check up and knew I had to start eating more.
Lesley recently posted…Chateau Montelena and Duckhorn
Totally agree with the leaving a goal time out of it! I still get pouty about that one!!
Kathryn gilbert recently posted…Friday Five – Questions from Me…
Yeah, I’ve learned the hard way that there’s NOTHING I can use as fuel for 26 miles and not get sick of it; I think variety is definitely the key for me, too, Courtney! Hope you have a great weekend and thanks so much for another awesome Friday Five!!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…National Running Day 2015!
All great points. Actually up until last year (and thanks to the bloggy community) I was primarily a Shotblok girl. Boy…. I am loving Honey Stingers right now. This year I’ll need to try the apples/fruits that you have used. Have you ever made protein balls? Im tempted…but haven’t attempted yet. And you know me and #2! I like that 20 mile threshold ….hmmm gives me even more incentive to run the 20 when its an 18-20 mile range weekend 🙂
Jennifer recently posted…Friday Five – Scenes from National Running Day
Yes!!! Haha, it’s def more motivation. I haven’t tried protein balls yet but I would like to give them a go!
Oooh yeah knowing the course and training for it is key. I even like to drive it if possible or at least watch a video to help me get my head around it.
Marcia recently posted…Currently: School’s Out Edition
I haven’t run a marathon yet but I surely have made those same mistakes in half marathon training.
Lessons learned and so much better for it for sure!!
I hope I have a late game MCM weekend so I can be there to cheer you and so many others on!
That would be so awesome!
these are such great tips and something we can all learn from! I guess a lot of it is from experience, and otherwise you just have to learn and get to know your body and its likes/dislikes.
Beverley @ sweaty&fit recently posted…Weekly Workout Wrap Up!
Yes, 100% just learning what works for you.
I’ve never run a marathon but these things are so good to avoid for any distance. I definitely suffered last year due to my lack of cross training. I’ve made such an improvement in that area this year. And the food…it’s so hard to not feel like “hey I can have that cupcake…AND that one over there because I ran today” LOL. Especially on long run days. You are so right about not being able to outrun a bad diet.
great tips! fueling is one I have got to get better at!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Friday Five: I Run… (National Running Day!)
Course previews are SO important! I knew that my last race would be pretty much flat so I wasn’t worried, but there have been other courses in the past that I’m so glad I looked up or I would have had some nasty surprises!
Salt recently posted…National Running Day: Like a family! {The Friday Five}
i like your spin on this! i’ll be training for my 2nd marathon (running in the fall), and i think i need to be more diligent about sticking to my training plan, not overdoing the boot camps/workouts (my legs got so tired from too much of that), and experimenting with fuel differently too. i’m a huge fuel fan b/c i have such a weak stomach as is and i never know what i can keep down without feeling sick!
Those are all really good tips! Fueling is an especially important one to figure out. I somewhat cringe when I hear people say that they don’t train with fuel, so then they are scared to take water or Gatorade on race day. I think knowing the course is a great thing too!
Have a great weekend!
Leana recently posted…Friday Five: Why I Run
The food always gets me to! I haven’t done a full marathon yet, but I always think I can take advantage of long runs by eating horribly!
Victoria @ my bright pink runners recently posted…National Running Day!
Great post! I agree with a lot of this. A goal time can be a lot of pressure for a first marathon, especially since you’ll never know how it feels to be at Mile 24 of a marathon during your training! I think that I need to reign in my eating a bit more and just a nice big treat (but not everything in sight) on long run days instead of just carb-ing it up all training cycle. I know I always have to be flexible with my training plan because summers are busy and last year i had a lot of travelling and weddings. It’s okay to switch things around for me, but I always need to remember that sometimes I need to suck it up and get in a long run or workout in less than ideal or usual conditions on a Saturday morning or a day when I’m travelling. I just can’t let one switch or missed workout snowball into weeks!
your last sentence hits the nail on the head! there’s a fine line between being kind and knowing when you need a break and pushing through when it’s challenging. i don’t always find it easy to walk that line, but with each training cycle i get better and better!
Thanks for posting this! I am training for my first marathon this October – this guide was SO helpful!
I also made fueling mistakes during my first marathon – both while running and in the “recovery” stage (aka eat all the things stage). Training for my second comes up in 3 weeks, so I’m definitely going to be smarter this time around.
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Cross Training with the PUMA Pulse XT
Apple slices? Brilliant! Will go really well with pretzels. But is there a fiber issue? If you know what I mean?
Smitha at running with sd mom recently posted…FridayFascinations – @RunRocknRoll San Diego #RemixSDChallenge Recap!
So, I’ve had that concern (I know EXACTLY what you mean) but it’s never been an issue for me! In fact, I first discovered how apples might work at mile 25 of a trail marathon. The apple slices I ate were like manna from heaven. I decided I needed to try it out – it’s worked so far (but I also make sure to know where the bathrooms are just in case…)!
Great spin on the topic!
I have run one marathon. I think my big mistake was… running a marathon! LOL! But really. I think my mistake was letting my head get the better of me. I was a complete mess and it was very hard to overcome.
I also really like the part about fueling. I have had fuels that worked great. Until they didn’t. And it was tough to find a workaround, especially at the late stage in the game.
Jenn recently posted…friday five: national running day
I’m totally guilty of only loosely following a plan (hopefully this changes with my coach!) and definitely got burned on the course on this last one!
I mix up my fuel with different Gu flavours. For some reason, I’m pretty good at just choking them back 🙂
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Friday Favourites: 6/5
Totally agree with the fueling and time goal. Totally. My first marathon I neglected fueling and fueling correctly and it’s amazing I even got through it. I also had set a goal time which was dumb because I thought about how I didn’t meet it instead of how freaking awesome it was that I had just completed a marathon! But, luckily, when I look back at it, there’s ONLY good memories of my first 🙂
I’m not a runner but I wouldn’t have ever thought to preview the course for hills and what not.
Cassi recently posted…My Garden
totally agree how important strength training is in general. I haven’t done a full marathon but course preview is helpful for all distances for sure. No one wants surprise hills right?
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Sport2People Resistance Band Review & Exercises On The Go
All great tips, Courtney. I especially think not having a time goal for your first race of a new distance is a good idea.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – Five Things I Love About Running
I am diligent with training but a mistake I make on race day is some times going out too fast! Working on it 🙂
Christine recently posted…Why Do You Run?
I have yet to cross train during marathon training. Oops. I want to this time, but I’m also looking at some high mileage plans and I’m not sure I can fit it all in… Darn job and kids getting in the way. ;o)
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…5 things to love about LONG distance running
These are awesome tips! Good to know about how to fuel.When I ran m half I had no idea about fueling runs – I hit major walls and training was terrible. Now I know!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted…Fitness is a Dance
I have not yet attempted a full marathon. I like your idea of using one to train for the other. I did find the same though for my half marathon training that fuels do need to be switched up and swapped out every now and then and taken early enough before the bonk sets in. That’s usually my fueling mistake – thinking I don’t need it and realizing it too late.
Diane @runninrocker recently posted…National Running Day
I think it’s hard to not have a time goal at all (let’s just be honest) but I agree that your main goal should be to finish and have a good time! Crazy that you’ve run 4 of those things!
Love this list, Courtney! I am definitely training smarter this time around. I can relate to this list. I did not cross-train for my first and I truly took took advantage of the carb-loading opportunities with not so healthy options. I never have a time goal (except the obvious). I’m just not that runner, but I’ll definitely use other races to prepare me! When you know better, you do better!
Artney @ My Pretty Brown recently posted…Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower
Thanks for the tips! I will definitely try and add in different nutrition to my runs and eat healthier (which I have already started doing). I have only ever done half marathons and am training for a full marathon in September. I am trying to train slow for this marathon because I like to injure myself, from either over or under training, and not cross/strength training. These tips will help with training for this marathon.
Tedi @ Running with Infertility recently posted…Things that are Marathon Training Week 7 Recap
great tips! I love the margarita clif shot blocks but never thought about the fact that it may not be good to just rely on one type of fuel. I’ll keep these in mind if I ever do a full marathon. The diligence and cross training are good advice for all distances though 🙂
Chaitali recently posted…Friday Five – more lessons from running
Great tips! I have never run a marathon so this was interesting to read. I imagine fueling is quite a bit deal to figure out!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…Mini Frittatas with Zucchini & Red Pepper
Totally agree with you on the cross training…making it a priority this time around. And also about the diet. My first marathon I used training as an excuse to eat everything. But the last two I was very good about my diet and STILL gained weight. Some people’s body go into stress mode during training and gain, and I’m unfortunately one of those people :/
Great points! I am experimenting with fuel lately with tri training, and before I was really in a rut. I’m trying to find the holy grail of bike fueling right now!
Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?! recently posted…Five Reasons to Run
I have learned my lesson with all of these mistakes. Some the hard way. Experimenting with fuel is a biggie!
You should share with Fitness Friday 🙂
Have a wonderful day Courtney!
Haha, yeah I’m definitely an “eat whatever you want” type of girl after some tough runs, which needs to stop! But you are absolutely right–after a race you need to celebrate!
Lindsey recently posted…Friday 5: ZOOMA 10k
This is a great idea for a blog post! One thing I always realize after my half marathons was all the places I chaffed -ahh. I had no idea my shorts were riding up and caused some serious pain for the next few days! Lather up the body rub!
Faith @ run the day recently posted…Quick Post
ouch! yes, body glide is your friend 🙂
Great tips! I agree. Knowing and previewing hte course is SO helpful on race day!
rachel recently posted…So this happened…
Yes – especially a marathon. I want to know what to expect (and how to train for it) over 26.2 miles!
I am so guilty of the first two and I just started officially marathon training yesterday and told myself I would not fall victim to this trap again. I need to be consistent in order to improve, even when I really don’t want to run. And I really need to be mindful of my diet!
Let’s keep each other accountable!