u/Casuariidae

Image 1 — Comparing Training Elevation Changes to Race Day
Image 2 — Comparing Training Elevation Changes to Race Day

Comparing Training Elevation Changes to Race Day

I have my first marathon coming up this weekend and in the FAQ it says it is "flat and fast, with no steep inclines or declines". However, it seems somewhat comparable to my 20-mile run, which definitely had some hills & inclines.

I am not good at comparing elevation charts. To me it looks like there are still hills in the race elevation chart, right?

The white is the race chart and the green is my 20-mile run.

If it will be easier, how do I know what pace to go for without burning out too early? My initial goal had been under 5 hrs but my long runs were averaging 10:20/mile, so I would like to think I could easily make the 5 hr cutoff. I know race day can cause issues, so I am not expecting a 10:20/mile pace. I just want to finish.

u/Casuariidae — 20 hours ago

TMI - BM Issues Weeks Before Race

My first marathon is in one week and for the last 2-3 weeks my bowel movements have been loose. I had my nutrition dialed in until a couple weeks ago, apparently. My diet hasn't really changed so idk what's causing it.

I eat more than enough fiber every day and that hasn't been the issue before. I average over 100% according to my calorie/nutrition app (Cronometer). Over the last 7 days (including today where I've only had a bagel and honey so far), my fiber is at an average of 34g.

What are some suggestions to help firm my stool in time for the race? I mentioned it to a dietitian (it was my 1st appt) a week ago. When we discussed what I have been eating and the timing of it, she said she didn't see any obvious cause for the change.

I've read multiple sources that say runners should cut down on fiber in the days leading up to the race, but I don't want to risk it getting worse by doing that.

I was drinking bottled water until I switched to a filtered water pitcher. I thought that may be the cause, but I have gone back to bottled water and it didn't change anything.

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u/Casuariidae — 5 days ago

They say nothing new on race day, but is it ok to try pre-cooling strategies the day-of? I can't mimic the environment ahead of time to practice a strategy/method.

It looks like it will be between the low 50s to high 60s on race day and it is still in the 30s when I run. I started heat training by wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt over my base layer today and I hope to do daily hot bath soaks. But I feel like it would defeat the purpose to attempt a pre-cooling strategy when I am heat training.

This is for my first marathon so I still have a lot to learn.

I do have Nuun I have been using on long runs and Huma gels. Some of the Huma gels have electrolytes as well, but I don't want to take in too many electrolytes, either.

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u/Casuariidae — 7 days ago

They say nothing new on race day, but is it ok to try pre-cooling strategies the day-of? I can't mimic the environment ahead of time to practice a strategy/method.

It looks like it will be between the low 50s to high 60s on race day and it is still in the 30s when I run. I started heat training by wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt over my base layer today and I hope to do daily hot bath soaks. But I feel like it would defeat the purpose to attempt a pre-cooling strategy when I am heat training.

This is for my first marathon so I still have a lot to learn.

I do have Nuun I have been using on long runs and Huma gels. Some of the Huma gels have electrolytes as well, but I don't want to take in too many electrolytes, either.

reddit.com
u/Casuariidae — 7 days ago

I have my first marathon coming up in a couple weeks and the weather will be warmer the day of the race than days I did long runs. I am debating on running in leggings and a tank top instead of shorts because I am used to running in leggings.

I have run in shorts a few times and I can definitely do it, but running in leggings would lessen the amount of sunscreen I have to put on during the race. I expect to be out there for close to 5 hrs if not longer than that.

I did a trial run where I put sunscreen on during my run (1:40 into my 16.5-mile, 2:49:24 run) and it sucked. It was uncomfortable and I nearly injured myself (leg muscles/tendons/etc felt off after applying).

Do people feel they don't overheat with leggings in the summer as long as they are cool enough on top? I can't even test the theory out ahead of time because I entered the taper as the weather got warmer.

I did a half marathon distance this weekend in leggings and a tank top but it was windy enough that my upper body was cold many times throughout the run.

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u/Casuariidae — 9 days ago