Sunday, November 28, 2010

Marathon Race-Week

One week from today, I will be a marathoner.  Yeah, I'm completely excited and confident.  I'll save the nausea and jitters for Friday and Saturday.

Here are some tips for the last week leading up to marathon (note:  these are all due to my diligent research through libraries full of books google... I have absolutely zero experience with full marathons... until next week, at which point, I'll be a plethora of should've, could've, would've):

1.  Start getting to bed early now so that the night before the race your body is already used to the early bedtime, and you don't spend hours counting sheep staring at the ceiling.

2.  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

3.  Cut back distance and intensity and remember that nothing you do this week will improve your ability on race day.

4.  Carbs!!!  Yummy.  Eat them.  Especially starting three days before.  Load up those glycogen stores.  (Try to scale way back on fats.)

5.  Do not sign up to hostess a party or march in a parade or go on a shopping marathon.  Rest your legs!

6.  Avoid fiber and too much salad/veggies the night before.

7.  Make sure your toenails are clipped!

8.  Visualize your race.  Re-read my marathon advice post 1 and post 2 to encourage you. 

15 comments:

Jason said...

Perfect list and the marathon club is going to be proud to have you as a member.

marathonmaiden said...

great list. i should take note of # 2 as i'm pretty sure that i did the opposite of it this weekend ;)

YAY for race week. i'm sooooo pumped to be coming to texas. and yes to no more tequila/margaritas. well maybe post-race. i mean, i'll be in texas after all ;)

Karen said...

Thanks for sharing this list! I will have to save this! Good luck in your first Marathon! Can't wait to hear about your experience! :0)

Christina said...

Those are great tips for even smaller races. Thanks for sharing!

Wow, one week!!!!!!! Lesley, I am so PUMPED for your race. You'd better post a recap ASAP next week because I won't be able to wait to hear about it!

Anna P said...

great advice. Good luck on your first marathon!!

Jen said...

I am so fricken excited for you I am busting!! Just reading this list is getting me psyched.

AM-GoalsfortheWeek said...

super agree with #3 and #8.

woo-hoo for you! that's exciting, one week from now;-)

I believe California Marathon (sacramento) is next wknd too

Karen R said...

Permission to eat more carbs and get a pedicure! The last week of marathon "training" sounds great! :)

Good luck to you!

Kim (Book Worm Runs) said...

Woo-hoo!! So excited for you!!! :)

Teamarcia said...

Woot for marathon week! Sounds like you've got the bases covered!

Big Clyde said...

I'm very excited for you this week. Enjoy the lighter schedule this week.

Sherry said...

Woohoo - It's this week!!!! Can't wait!

TxTriSkatemom said...

WOOT! Look for us on the course in our orange tutus cheering and being obnoxious! you will be fantastic!!

FruitFly said...

You are so ready for this! I can't wait to hear how it goes!

And I'm going to steal numbers 1 and 2 from you. Seems fitting that your birthday is the day I start training for our 1/2 marathon! So I want to start off on the right foot and hydrate hydrate hydrate - and not forget to sleep!

Enjoy those carbs!! :)

Heather said...

Thanks for the tips and good luck on your marathon!! I will look forward to the would've/should've/could'ves for me on the 11th! :) But hopefully you don't have too many of those. It looks like you have done your training and research and you're ready to go!