LESSONS LEARNED. MY 10TH MARATHON

I planned to run my next marathon in June 2014.  I was going to run my best.  I wanted to sub 4 hours if not try to reach that 3:55 marathon time!

My last Marathon I had run was in January and I ran a 4:11:27 at Disney training with the Runner's World Challenge.  I surprised myself racing that day because I didn't exactly stick to the training schedule I was given.  I lacked the speed work and I didn't worry so much about pace as I did miles.

I decided to put my own training schedule together and planned to run the Charlevoix Marathon in Michigan where the weather would be fantastic for race day.  It would be my 10th marathon to date.

Charlevoix Marathon with my long time friend

It was a bust!  This is what I wrote down a few days after finishing that race in June of 2014.

LESSONS LEARNED -

1. Don't drive an extremely long distance the week before your marathon... FLY    
2. If there is anything you need for race day, make sure you have it well in advance.  (I always wear new Thorla/Experia socks.  Stores near race did not carry them)
3. Have your meal planned the night before.  If you always eat pizza the night before... eat pizza!  Don't eat chicken lasagna in Alfredo sauce unless you've tested it out while training.
4. Remember what kind of breakfast works for you pre-race.  I like PB and toast/bagel or a honey stinger waffle and banana.  Didn't have any of that.  I had slices of banana bread with nuts.  In fact, I had that before bed too.  I also ate pistachios!  What was I thinking?  Had to stop for a porta-jon twice during my race!  (sorry, TMI)
5. Stick with the plan!  Ease up in the early miles, especially when you're running faster than goal pace!  I was loving my pace, but I had a different plan.  I should have never thought I could "bank" any time... I set myself up for failure right there.  I actually knew this!  I guess I just needed to confirm it.
6. If your friend comes to town to race with you and you realize he's been running on a foot that is really painful... you have a really great friend!  I'm the one that hit the wall and he's the one who kept me going regardless of his pain!
7. Be realistic.  I might have set the bar a little high.  I may have run a 4:11 marathon in January, but it might take a little longer than 5 months to reach the goals I have set.  It doesn't happen overnight and it will most likely take more than one attempt to reach a sub 4 hour time goal.
8. Be proud of your accomplishments!  My family has reminded me that it was not long ago I was hoping for a sub 5 hour marathon.  I just finished my 4th sub 4:30 and 10th overall!  I'm also celebrating four years of not smoking! (as of 2015 it is now 5 years!) 

What are some things you've learned while racing?
How do you fuel race morning?
What's the longest distance you traveled for a race?