aaminian
Short North
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Hi all! I'll be running my very first half marathon (Cap City) in a couple of weeks, and I'm looking for any advice you guys may have with regard to preparation, gear (e.g. socks and insoles), and improving my time. I just did 11mi this past weekend at 8:49/mi, and I'd really like to get my time down to around 8:30/mi.
Any info would be great. Thanks!
groundrules
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aaminian wrote >>
Hi all! I'll be running my very first half marathon (Cap City) in a couple of weeks, and I'm looking for any advice you guys may have with regard to preparation, gear (e.g. socks and insoles), and improving my time. I just did 11mi this past weekend at 8:49/mi, and I'd really like to get my time down to around 8:30/mi.
Any info would be great. Thanks!
If you're at 11 miles now, you are set. Any additional training is just speed work. My best advice is test everything out now- nothing new on race day. This includes gear, diet, warm up routine, everything. I probably would not be messing with new shoes or insoles at this point unless you're really unhappy with what you've got. If you need to change anything below the ankle, see a pro for proper fit. Screw that up now, and you risk anything from discomfort to injury. Tried and true is best, and breaking in new gear is not a good idea (especially if it is the type of gear that effects your stride) right before the big day.
That being said, you have time to tweak little things. One thing to consider- on race day, you'll be presented with things like gatorade and energy goo on the course, and pizza and stuff afterwards. Find out if that sugary stuff sits well with you on a working stomach before you try it mid-race. It doesn't work for everyone, and the last thing you want is nausea, cramps, or worse. Beyond that, consider protecting your toes with vaseline, look out for nipple chafing, and make sure the last thing you do before getting to the starting line is use the bathroom.
other thoughts, depending on weather- if it's cold or wet, grab a cheap set of gloves and a sweater or sweatshirt from the thrift store. wear this while milling about the start, then pitch it a mile or two in.
thepiece
merion village
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Congratulations on running your first half. I have done cap city a few times and its a good race (and a great race for your first half).
Great comments above, so not a lot to add...be just be confident with the distance you have already hit during training and be assured that the adrenaline of running with the pack will often propel you forward (and sometimes at a pace faster than you achieved in your training runs).
On the gear side of things, the nipple chaffing is a real issue, and you may have not had it at 11 miles but it may become a problem with 13. I finished my first first race with blood stains all over my race shirt because I didn't take it very serious. Not an enjoyable way of finishing. Frontrunner sells a Body Glide in a stick form, it has always worked for me in 1/2 and full marathons. Its pretty cheap and well worth it...even as a precaution.
Congrats again! Hope to see you race day.
2thDoc
Downtown
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thepiece wrote >>
On the gear side of things, the nipple chaffing is a real issue, and you may have not had it at 11 miles but it may become a problem with 13. I finished my first first race with blood stains all over my race shirt because I didn't take it very serious. Not an enjoyable way of finishing. Frontrunner sells a Body Glide in a stick form, it has always worked for me in 1/2 and full marathons. Its pretty cheap and well worth it...even as a precaution.
Congrats again! Hope to see you race day.
I think I found a pic of thepiece finishing...
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Bloody Nipples
(Not really thepiece) Great point though. Nipple Chaffing is painful. I found using blister band-aids works as well.
foxforcefive
CBus
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If you do decide to make a change and go to a "pro", I recommend Second Sole in the Stoneridge shopping center in Gahanna. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, besides being a happy customer there. The guy that helped us has worked there for 12 years and was very knowledgeable, took the time to really help us, and got my son fitted with his perfect shoe. We didn't feel rushed, and he had my son try on like 6 different pairs of shoes, had him run through the parking lot, etc. It was a really good shopping experience, which is why I'm recommending.
Good Luck! I'm working on my first fatboy 5k...
Blake
cyclist II
Short North & Peach District
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don't get wasted the night before the race and good luck!
atalou
ShoNo
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Good luck! I ran my first half a few years ago and was given some great advice while training which I think really helped:
If you have a chance, run the last three miles of the race route a few days before at a nice easy pace. On race day, after you pass that mile 10 marker and you find yourself heading toward a familiar stretch you handled with ease a few days prior, it's a breeze.
Also, take time to enjoy it and factor in time to weave around others, grab a cup of water, etc...it's really a fun time and an amazing experience.
Go get 'em, tiger!
gpat
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This will be my first half marathon as well. I did 12 miles this past Saturday in 98 minutes. I'm hoping to break 1:45 on race day. Thankfully, I've had no problems with nipple chafing during any of my training but I did buy some Body Glide to use on race day. Better safe than sorry I guess.
aaminian
Short North
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atalou wrote >>
Good luck! I ran my first half a few years ago and was given some great advice while training which I think really helped:
If you have a chance, run the last three miles of the race route a few days before at a nice easy pace. On race day, after you pass that mile 10 marker and you find yourself heading toward a familiar stretch you handled with ease a few days prior, it's a breeze.
Also, take time to enjoy it and factor in time to weave around others, grab a cup of water, etc...it's really a fun time and an amazing experience.
Go get 'em, tiger!
Great suggestion. Thanks!
TheyCallMeTBone
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Do whatever it takes to take a nice big shit before the race, because when the adrenaline hits, you don't want to be spending time in the port-a-potty listening to the other racers run by.
2thDoc
Downtown
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TheyCallMeTBone wrote >>
Do whatever it takes to take a nice big shit before the race, because when the adrenaline hits, you don't want to be spending time in the port-a-potty listening to the other racers run by.
Very true. I take Immodium AD the night before. Small breakfast about an 1hr 45mins before race.
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