Chicago Marathon Registration Almost Closed

[rdolan]

If you want to run the Chicago Marathon this year, you should probably sign up this week. Registration is almost full.

www.chicagomarathon.com (http://www.chicagomarathon.com)

I just signed up for my third. Let's do this.

[gatesy]

The marathon registration will close at noon today. I work for an organization that is a charity for the marathon. You can still run it through a charity after today.

[Improviser's Delight]

Is anyone else doing this?

I signed up last week through a charity, so I have some more motivation and some more support. Oh yeah, and a training plan. We should start a motivational thread on here.

At this point, I'm still marveling about my own enthusiasm. 26+ motherfucking miles. Shit. I'm not exactly at fighting weight.

[nichbob]

i've also signed up through a charity. my bros and i are doing it.

i'm currently 236 lbs. i've got a lot of wood to chop this summer.

i ran the shamrock a few years ago, but other than that i have only run more than 5 miles a couple times. here's to doing things we never thought we would!

[rdolan]

1. The most important thing to have is new running shoes.

If your shoes are older than six months, especially if they are over a year old, you need to get new ones. It doesn't matter how much you've used them. The soles are filled with tiny air bubbles that deflate over time, and with exposure to water. (Avoid running in big rainstorms with new shoes. Use an old pair.)

Go to Universal Sole or Fleet Feet to get properly fitted for shoes. They'll cost $85-$125. You can definitely get a decent pair for under $100.

If you don't have good shoes, you have a better chance at getting injured: shin splints, sore joints, stress fractures. No marathon for you.

2. Drink a lot more water. Now. Cut down on the soda, especially sugar. Cut down on the beer. When I'm being good (not very often), I have a glass of water at my desk.

3. Eat more fruits and vegetables. If you have a day job, trying sticking to salads for lunch.

4. Fat-free PLAIN yogurt and cottage cheese. I hated both a few years ago. I always put fruit in my cottage cheese and actually kinda like it now. Any yogurt that isn't "plain" is loaded with sugar. This includes "vanilla." You seriously might as well eat some cookies. Sure flavored yogurt is better than chips, but plain is way better for you. Again, use fruit to sweeten it.

5. Find people to run with that go at your pace. Runs are at lot easier and go by a lot faster.

6. Bodyglide. If you haven't heard of it, buy some at the running store. Put it anywhere where skin touches skin, because you're going to get chafed if you run longer than 6 to 8 miles. Anywhere. It's way better than vaseline, because it's water based. This includes putting it on your "nips." Throw a band-aid on there to protect them for any thing longer than 14 or 16 miles.

7. Running clothes. Cotton is the devil. Get clothes that wick away moisture.

8. Think about taking a yoga class once a week. It'll help stretch you out. Also, massages help when your long runs get up there.

9. Do a half-marathon before hand. There are two big ones in Chicago, specifically geared to get you ready for the big one. www.chicagodistanceclassic.com (http://www.chicagodistanceclassic.com) in August, and www.chicagohalfmarathon.com (http://www.chicagohalfmarathon.com) on Sept 9th.. This gets you used to the logistics and stress and fun of running a big race with a large group of people. It also gets you used to using water stations during the race, and you can practice running at your race pace. Psychologically, it's a big help.

10. Check out some beginning runner marathon web sites. There are some good ones.
http://www.marathontraining.com/
http://www.halhigdon.com/ - I like this one.
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/marathon.html - Also good.

11. If you're overweight, and your body is not used to the stress of running, look for alternative ways to get in shape in addition to your running. Biking, yoga, swimming, weights, pilates, etc.


Like I said before, I've done two marathons, worked in two running shoe stores, and been running on and off for 17 years (holy crap.) This is just some stuff I've picked up over the years. I wish I eat as healthy now as I did when I was in h.s. I would've been a lot faster.

[Improviser's Delight]

Does that mean I have to get a new pair of shoes again just before the run?

And doesn't it kinda depend how often I have run on the ones I already have?

Thanks for the tips.

[rdolan]

Running shoes a lot of their bounce after a year regardless. The more you wear your shoes, sure the most they wear out.

most shoes last for x-100 miles. i forget the number....like 500-800, depending on the shoe. they know at universal sole or fleet feet.

if you're gonna train the whole summer, yes, you'll probably want to get a pair before the marathon. at least a month before, so they're broken in, and get the exact same pair you've been training in especially if they work for you. don't buy a brand new pair, especially a different kind, a week before the race. people can wreck their feet/legs that way or get awful blisters.

another thing you can do is get two pairs and alternate them. they should last that way.

i use flat spenco cushioned inserts that it put existing ones about 2-3 months in. they add some cushioning back to the shoe, but don't change the fit of it too much. they only cost 10-20 bucks and lengthen the life of my shoe.

[bill binkley]

Damn, maybe we need to start an all-improv running club ...

I ran the half last year ... everything after mile 6.2 was officially the longest I'd ever run. Because I'm an idiot, and didn't train. I tried to run a 5k two weeks later, and had to walk half of it. Moral: TRAIN! make sure your gluts and hips are not ignored--they are very vindictive, and will make your knees feel like they're being stabbed with icepicks if you don't treat them right.

Of course, you probably know that.

[gatesy]

Shoes are a must. I did a marathon in November and I found that 90% of the aches and problems I had were solved by getting new shoes and good Thorlo socks. I hadn't run too many miles on my previous shoes, but it really made a difference.

Also, run with other people. It makes a huge difference, especially when you're spending your Saturdays running for 3 hours.