I'm getting closer and closer to that marathon. The first one. The scary one. The crazy one. The pressure is on - mostly from myself. I'm terrified I wont finish. A giant blister will sideline me, some body part will fall off.....you know, the usual.
I have my longest run ever this weekend. I'm supposed to do 18. I'm terrified. I get nervous tummy (aka. nervous poo) just thinking about it. What if I can't do it? Does that mean that I can't run the marathon? I've never been so unsure of anything!
I want to try compression socks. I want to get new shoes. I want to survive this. AHHH!!! My husband is being so supportive. It almost makes it worse. He is so confident in me, I need to get some of that!
So, what about your first? Were you scared shitless? That would actually be great if that happened...no porta potty stops :) How did you get over it? Just do that runs and get it done? I guess I just need some words of wisdom from people that have done it. I'm pretty sure I must have felt this way with my 1st half marathon.........
My first half is this weekend and my first marathon is in December... I am nervous too, but my big race is not as close as yours.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!!!
I think we're all as nervous as can be! Good luck on the 18 miler. I felt great after mine and had that moment of yes, I can do this...the doubt keeps trying to sneak back in though!
ReplyDeleteI get a nervous tummy no matter what kind of race I'm doing. Anything from a 5k race to a 50k race. Fortunately it's never been bad enough that I need to make a lot of pit stops before or during the race.
ReplyDeleteI'd tell you not to worry about it, but I think worry is normal. In fact, I get worried when I'm NOT nervous before a race (guess that means I cure myself!). I will recommend you eat a couple of bland meals before your race. No sense adding spices to a nervous tummy.
I wouldn't worry about blisters. If you have the right shoe/sock combination already tested and proven in training, you'll be fine. Your 18 mile run will give you a great mark to measure your marathon by. And if you can do 18 miles in a training run, you can do 26 in a race.
I've used compression socks on longer runs and they certainly help (both during long runs and after). But I wouldn't use them for the first time in a race. Never do anything new in a race. Trust me. It'll backfire.
As for my first, well, I've only done a half marathon and a 50k. Yeah. Quite a difference there. I was nervous as all hell for both but managed to get through each by living in the moment. Blisters, aches, and pains will all heal and go away. But the moment you cross that finish line can never be taken away from you.
I'm with you--nervous as all getout. Feeling fairly confident but still nervous. And I think that's a good thing though! Adrenaline will push us to do things we wouldn't ordinarily be able to!
ReplyDeleteyou can do it. good luck.
ReplyDeletei was so nervous my first tri, i recall feeling like my arms were tingling - my tummy stuff was bad back whne i was younger, now i don't get that.
Being nervous is part of the game, it means you care. And caring means you're going to do great! :-) Anticipation is the hardest part of training for me, I get nervous and paranoid and short-tempered. It's always worth it, though!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely getting nervous already... and my "high" mileage hasn't even begun yet! Good luck :)
ReplyDeleteYou'll be fine. Even if your 18 mile run sucks, it's no indicator that your marathon will suck. Lots of things will happen during the marathon. There will be highs and there will likely be lows, but if you put in the training, you will finish. The Marine Corps Marathon is a great first marathon.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's ok to be nervous. Heck, I've run 2 marathons, 5 half marathons, and tons of other races and I still get nervous before a 5k. ;o)
What you are experiencing is completely COMPLETELY normal! I'm running my 12th marathon this weekend and though the nerves have gone away considerably since my very first, they still exist. My advice to you is to always remember *just* how far you've come and do NOT try anything new (including shoes, nutrition) on race day. You'll be completely fine, trust me, and within the first few miles of the "race" it'll just seem like another long run... you'll find your groove.
ReplyDeleteAs for the 18, just focus on "getting it done". It should only be a 10% increase from last weekend's long run and you did that, yes? You can do this too! Go go 18 miler!
-Robin
www.TheAthleticPerformer.blogspot.com
I haven't had a first marathon yet. For my first 5K I was almost in tears once my mom physically pushed me into the pack of runners at the start line. I was terrified and I don't have a good reason why! For my first 10K I had to drive an hour to the race. I stopped THREE times to go to the bathroom. My tummy HATED me. So I can't give advice, but oh boy can I empathize!
ReplyDelete~RR