I did 1 marathon in 2019 just to see if I could, now gonna try another later this year. Your last tip is so true! I'm working to improve on my pacing now.
Great video! Running Paris this week. Nervous but super prepared! Third marathon in eleven months. Bonked bad in the 2nd. Overcoming it this time for sure!
Thank you for posting this! I went out too fast and finished in 3:20:01 (could not even break 3:20, by TWO SECONDS!). Because I went out too fast (1:33:45 front/1:46:16 back). Had I gone out in 1:40 I may have been able to run 3:15 with a 1:35 finish. Point 4 is the biggest and most common, as you said!
@@omardgardiner2225 4:32:22. I could have gotten sub 4:30 if I didn’t stop to use the bathroom after mile one because it was like a 5 to 6 minute wait in line. It was a pretty incredible experience looking back. I’m surprised my body was able to keep running after mile 20 I thought I was severely under prepared but I’m overall happy with my results. I’m already starting to think about my next one despite me still being sore. 😅
Thank you so much. I enjoy a lot watching your videos and knowing all this information before doing my first Marathon. I'm planning to do it in a few months from now. And I am already excited and overwhelmed 😅. Wish me luck.
Very practical advice - always good to hear. I've run quite a few events but I still pay careful attention to pre race logistics! Where is it ie how do I get there? How long will it take to drive and where do I park? For me I make sure i know the position and opening times of nearest Costa coffee! Nice and early - coffee and sticky bun... toilet facilities! It is really only after my coffee do I start thinking about the run itself: of course I know well in advance the course profile and terrain, facilities, I look at previous numbers who attend + times etc and with my experience of running I already have some idea of the pace I should run. HOWEVER I still have to check my Garmin regularly to stop myself taking the first few miles too fast!
Gastric trouble has always been a problem for every run I've done from 5ks to a marathon - too easy to forget to top up supplies every 45mins. Decided to plan out a pace with energy gels for next time!
That last one is me😅 I just ran a marathon on Sunday, and I honked HARD. 1:30 first half, 1:54 second half. I thought I was in 3:00 shape when I was likely 3:05-3:10 shape, and followed a pace bunny who definitely didn’t run the plan I wanted. Lesson learned though!
It can be tricky when you follow the race pacers - sometimes they can get it wrong too and often in a large crowd of runners it can be more difficult to concentrate. Good luck next time.
I did my first in San Diego and had no clue how race day would unfold. Due to a knee issue I was forced to take it slower and finished good. The next year I started in a group way too fast and was exhausted a little over half but still finished slightly faster. Because SD tracks everyone separatly I will started in a slower group to avoid to start to fast this year. My stomach is normally fine but after 20 miles I really have a hard time eating anything.
I love your videos and signed up for the emails. Thanks so much for providing such clear useful content. It really is a great help! Would you advise running along side a race pacer? I'm doing the Paris marathon and aiming for 4h45 but think I could do 4h30 so don't know which pacer to go with.
I watched this video before my 1st marathon and still committed 2 of the mistakes to an extent. I used carbon-plated shoes that I had run half marathons in before. They worked beautifully in the halfs. Turns out your feet can swell at longer distances and I bruised my big toes pretty badly. I was able to run a few days later but this was my biggest raceday casualty. The other issue is that you have a realistic range of what you can hope to achieve. I chose to go for the more aggressive end of that. I might have gotten away with it except the temps got over 70 F, definitely hit the wall around mile 20. More a muscle soreness/lactate issue than glycogen. So aim for the mid to slow end of your range in first 15-20 miles on your first marathon, you can always swing for the fences some other time.
I am 75 yrs my first marathon is on 19th jan 25 in mumbai Tmm. I have experience of running 250 hm including practice my long run is 30 km recently in an event 4:14:34. How do i prepare for my first FM .I AM FROM INDIA.
I have NYC in three weeks. I ran three marathons since 2018. All 3 around mile 20, I had empty stomach and hit the wall badly. 2021 had bad cramps on the last 4 miles. I brought enough t GU gels all the time.
Thats not great to hear and to be honest it's a little late this time around to be trying anything new. Going forward perhaps look at your pre-race meal/breakfast - porridge is usually a safe option or bagels, basically slow release carbs should keep you fuelled for longer. Good luck
I just ran my first marathon and I got caught up in the adrenaline of the race. I went out too fast and was actually able to hold a faster pace for the first 20 miles. The last six, you were spot on, sucked. I slowed from a 3:20 pace to finishing at 4:13 😂 I will be more conservative on my next run.
This happened with me!😂I was like YESSS IM FLYING then all of a sudden BANG! That wall hit and I went from a 3:23 finish to a 3:34😭I missed my Bq goal by 4 min!! Lol learned my lesson
Learned about the pace the hard way. But it was my third marathon in 16 days, and I was a bit too excited. Ran 21k too fast and then started suffering. So, the pace went down from around 6:05 to about 7:37 min/km.
lol i want to follow directions on gels just as you described..........seems so simple right? start line and every 45 minutes!! i usually get distracted by other things and fail and to do this!! WISH ME LUCK
First marathon approaching - regarding pacing, a conversational pace would imply zone 2, would it not? Im surprised as I was planning on atleast a high zone 3 pace, sub threshold
As with all marathon plans, a lot of elements are very personal and your own 'zones' / HR can vary. Conversational pace can vary to different people also. i.e. 'one-word answers' type of conversation would be closer to zone 3 while in zone 2 you may be able to debate!!
No, the 200 miles mentioned was when talking about the ideal mileage you have already run in the shoes you plan to wear for race day; between 30 to 200 so that you are used to the shoes and there are no surprises on race day. Good luck!
i experienced hitting the wall first time during my first 50k ultra, after reaching 30K. It was NOT FUNNY 😂😂l never want to experience bonking ever again. Learned the hard way now I take fuelling and preparing for run a lot more seriously
Watching this video as I pack for my first marathon tomorrow. I skipped the marathon on my way to 50k, but I'm so darn slow, I figured I'd dial it back and work on my speed. Glad I found your channel! I'm going to try to binge them all before tomorrow...I need all the help I can get! 😆
Not me coming here after running my first marathon and realizing I did all those mistakes. I did have gels and I did not walk but I did hit the wall and I did slow down so much that I ran about 25 minutes more than what my average pace in zone 3 predicted. 🥲
I can't believe you don't have more subs. Great production, clear dialogue and useful information. I'm working my way through all your vids now.
Haha Cheers David, I think my lack of consistency isn't helping me! More videos to come :)
I agree good videos I’m watching through them 👍🏻
I did 1 marathon in 2019 just to see if I could, now gonna try another later this year. Your last tip is so true! I'm working to improve on my pacing now.
Thanks Todd, if you focus on pacing you're basically guaranteed to improve. Let me know how you go!
Great video! Running Paris this week. Nervous but super prepared! Third marathon in eleven months. Bonked bad in the 2nd. Overcoming it this time for sure!
Have fun!
Thank you for posting this! I went out too fast and finished in 3:20:01 (could not even break 3:20, by TWO SECONDS!). Because I went out too fast (1:33:45 front/1:46:16 back). Had I gone out in 1:40 I may have been able to run 3:15 with a 1:35 finish. Point 4 is the biggest and most common, as you said!
I got my big Des Moines marathon tomorrow. I’m getting all the nerves and watching as many videos as possible. Wish me luck
Good luck!! 🤞 let us know how it goes. 👍
How did it go?
@@omardgardiner2225 4:32:22. I could have gotten sub 4:30 if I didn’t stop to use the bathroom after mile one because it was like a 5 to 6 minute wait in line. It was a pretty incredible experience looking back. I’m surprised my body was able to keep running after mile 20 I thought I was severely under prepared but I’m overall happy with my results. I’m already starting to think about my next one despite me still being sore. 😅
@@jojonr619 awesome. Thanks for the update. I plan to do my first half Marathon in February.
@@omardgardiner2225 best of luck! Have a big meal the night before and stretch lots. If you’ve been training accordingly everything should be fine
Thank you so much. I enjoy a lot watching your videos and knowing all this information before doing my first Marathon. I'm planning to do it in a few months from now. And I am already excited and overwhelmed 😅. Wish me luck.
Best of luck!
Very practical advice - always good to hear.
I've run quite a few events but I still pay careful attention to pre race logistics!
Where is it ie how do I get there? How long will it take to drive and where do I park?
For me I make sure i know the position and opening times of nearest Costa coffee!
Nice and early - coffee and sticky bun... toilet facilities! It is really only after my coffee do I start thinking about the run itself: of course I know well in advance the course profile and terrain, facilities, I look at previous numbers who attend + times etc and with my experience of running I already have some idea of the pace I should run. HOWEVER I still have to check my Garmin regularly to stop myself taking the first few miles too fast!
Gastric trouble has always been a problem for every run I've done from 5ks to a marathon - too easy to forget to top up supplies every 45mins. Decided to plan out a pace with energy gels for next time!
Try Tailwind. I could never run using gels, the always upset my stomach. Tailwind has been excellent
That last one is me😅 I just ran a marathon on Sunday, and I honked HARD. 1:30 first half, 1:54 second half. I thought I was in 3:00 shape when I was likely 3:05-3:10 shape, and followed a pace bunny who definitely didn’t run the plan I wanted. Lesson learned though!
It can be tricky when you follow the race pacers - sometimes they can get it wrong too and often in a large crowd of runners it can be more difficult to concentrate. Good luck next time.
@@marathonhandbook thanks. Something to learn. Run your own race I believe wise people have said.
Your tips will be with me in Ibiza in 6 days! 🙏
My first half marathon is in 3 weeks. This helped a lot thank you sm! ❤️
You got this!
How did it go?
A banana will take up to 3 hours to just get out of your stomach. Plan accordingly.
Make sure to make good use of your mid marathon banana peel, it can make a whole crowd trip if you deploy it at the right time
I usually enjoy a chipotle burrito bowl pre race 😊
I did my first in San Diego and had no clue how race day would unfold. Due to a knee issue I was forced to take it slower and finished good. The next year I started in a group way too fast and was exhausted a little over half but still finished slightly faster. Because SD tracks everyone separatly I will started in a slower group to avoid to start to fast this year. My stomach is normally fine but after 20 miles I really have a hard time eating anything.
First hand lessons are the ones you learn the deepest!
I love your videos and signed up for the emails. Thanks so much for providing such clear useful content. It really is a great help!
Would you advise running along side a race pacer? I'm doing the Paris marathon and aiming for 4h45 but think I could do 4h30 so don't know which pacer to go with.
I watched this video before my 1st marathon and still committed 2 of the mistakes to an extent.
I used carbon-plated shoes that I had run half marathons in before. They worked beautifully in the halfs. Turns out your feet can swell at longer distances and I bruised my big toes pretty badly. I was able to run a few days later but this was my biggest raceday casualty.
The other issue is that you have a realistic range of what you can hope to achieve. I chose to go for the more aggressive end of that. I might have gotten away with it except the temps got over 70 F, definitely hit the wall around mile 20. More a muscle soreness/lactate issue than glycogen. So aim for the mid to slow end of your range in first 15-20 miles on your first marathon, you can always swing for the fences some other time.
Your feet can always swell a little more during the marathon than shorter distances due to time on feet/temperature etc
Wonderful advice. Thank you !
I am 75 yrs my first marathon is on 19th jan 25 in mumbai Tmm. I have experience of running 250 hm including practice my long run is 30 km recently in an event 4:14:34.
How do i prepare for my first FM .I AM FROM INDIA.
Conversational pace
Me: so...walking??
Well maybe. But what you will find as you get fitter that this pace will increase - it's all relative and personal when it comes down to pace.
Great tips and very helpful content throughout your channel. One suggestion though: I don't think the background music is necessary :)
Thanks for the tip!
I have NYC in three weeks. I ran three marathons since 2018. All 3 around mile 20, I had empty stomach and hit the wall badly. 2021 had bad cramps on the last 4 miles. I brought enough t GU gels all the time.
Thats not great to hear and to be honest it's a little late this time around to be trying anything new. Going forward perhaps look at your pre-race meal/breakfast - porridge is usually a safe option or bagels, basically slow release carbs should keep you fuelled for longer. Good luck
I usually have bagel and coffee. I must try slow release carb. Thanks for getting back.
I just ran my first marathon and I got caught up in the adrenaline of the race. I went out too fast and was actually able to hold a faster pace for the first 20 miles. The last six, you were spot on, sucked. I slowed from a 3:20 pace to finishing at 4:13 😂 I will be more conservative on my next run.
Still impressive. Mind sharing what was your weekly mileage like during training? 90 miles? Over 100?
This happened with me!😂I was like YESSS IM FLYING then all of a sudden BANG! That wall hit and I went from a 3:23 finish to a 3:34😭I missed my Bq goal by 4 min!! Lol learned my lesson
@@LifeLongRunnerlol I am running one next weekend and haven’t been able to train fully so I have no weeks over 30 miles
The huma gels are the best, all natural ingredients no maltodextrin and they taste good
are they those ones with Chia?
@@marathonhandbook Yes!
So good
Thanks for the great video
Love this! Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
Learned about the pace the hard way. But it was my third marathon in 16 days, and I was a bit too excited. Ran 21k too fast and then started suffering. So, the pace went down from around 6:05 to about 7:37 min/km.
amazing tips!
Glad you think so!
Thanks for the great video!
thank you
Thank you very much
Sweet map
Do you know where it is?
@@marathonhandbook Falkland Islands and Patagonia
@@GeographyGeek ✅ I spent 3 years in the Falkland Islands
@@marathonhandbook oh that's cool. Are you ex-military?
@@GeographyGeek Ex Oil Field :)
Thanks for sharing
My pleasure
lol i want to follow directions on gels just as you described..........seems so simple right? start line and every 45 minutes!! i usually get distracted by other things and fail and to do this!! WISH ME LUCK
Go for it!
Lol. I was thinking he'd said 4 to 5 minutes. That's a lot of gels! Haha
can't tell if you're norwegian or scottish
Well, most of Scotland is closer to Norway than it is to London!! ;-)
First marathon approaching - regarding pacing, a conversational pace would imply zone 2, would it not? Im surprised as I was planning on atleast a high zone 3 pace, sub threshold
As with all marathon plans, a lot of elements are very personal and your own 'zones' / HR can vary. Conversational pace can vary to different people also. i.e. 'one-word answers' type of conversation would be closer to zone 3 while in zone 2 you may be able to debate!!
200 miles!? That’s like a new pair of shoes every month
No, the 200 miles mentioned was when talking about the ideal mileage you have already run in the shoes you plan to wear for race day; between 30 to 200 so that you are used to the shoes and there are no surprises on race day. Good luck!
i experienced hitting the wall first time during my first 50k ultra, after reaching 30K. It was NOT FUNNY 😂😂l never want to experience bonking ever again. Learned the hard way now I take fuelling and preparing for run a lot more seriously
If the shoes are high quality why are you replacing them after 200 miles.
Didnt say replace, just to use younger shoes for a marathon
This is correct, we mean run UP TO 200 miles in your shoes before race day so there's no surprises when shouting for that PR!
Also, "high quality" could mean fast (carbon plated), but not necessarily durable. This is pretty common with "super" shoes.
Watching this video as I pack for my first marathon tomorrow. I skipped the marathon on my way to 50k, but I'm so darn slow, I figured I'd dial it back and work on my speed. Glad I found your channel! I'm going to try to binge them all before tomorrow...I need all the help I can get! 😆
You got this!
Went too fast in the first 25K of my first marathon, definitely got bit in the ass 😂
I've done #4 so many times it's embarrassing
I think we all have. . . . :)
Im getting stomach issues from this video i hate to think what its going to be like marathon day 😢
Good luck!
Not me coming here after running my first marathon and realizing I did all those mistakes.
I did have gels and I did not walk but I did hit the wall and I did slow down so much that I ran about 25 minutes more than what my average pace in zone 3 predicted. 🥲
But you are going again right? Next time you’ll know exactly what you have to deal with. Good luck.