What To Do The Week Before A Marathon

[@Rennschnecke-zw7zi]

Speaking of Marathons… If I‘m right, Andy is the last of the Running Channel presenters who hasn‘t run a marathon yet….I‘d love to see that 💪🏻💪🏻👍

[@janicegagnon2294]

Great reminders! My mantra when things get hard is to have no regrets !

[@runningchannel]

Love that!

[@kj17589]

Making my marathon debut in Manchester in 4 weeks. I am at the state where every time I hear the word marathon I get excited and nervous at the same time. So grateful to the TRC for helping on my running journey. This time last year I was watching you guys explain what tempo/intervals/fartleks meant. Early 2021 I was still saying I wouldn't go as far as running a marathon. It was Anna's NY marathon video that made me want to run one. That is my favourite TRC video and why my mantra is Empire State of Mind.

[@lesarbres2625]

See you on the start line 👍🏽

[@hannahmargrett9390]

My favourite video is Anna running the Brighton marathon, especially when she says that afterwards she’s going “to eat all the food”! I am running my first marathon in Brighton in a month’s time and I’m excited/terrified in equal measure. I run with the names of 3 special people who are no longer with me written on the back of my hand and when things get tough I look at those names, and that’s enough to keep me going. Good luck to everyone running a half or a full marathon in the next few months!

[@Zachinthus09]

Favorite video is when Anna is surprised with running Boston. Good luck with that!

[@gloss626]

Hey Team! Question: Have any of you considered or attended the infamous Barkley Marathons in Tennessee? I’d love to see that. Apologies if others have already brought this up. Love your content for years now. 🙌🏻

[@michaelkinahan1829]

The race that eats it's young!!!

[@danielgibbs514]

Needed this last week! Ran my first marathon! Although I didn’t hit my goal, I still had lots of fun and it motivated me to train harder for it

[@runningchannel]

Congratulations on running your first marathon Daniel! Glad you enjoyed it 😁 They get addictive after the first one

[@pennnnny]

My fave videos are Anna doing her ultra, but also marathon and half marathon vids. They are so inspiring

[@angiebhitasya3428]

The ultramarathon of Anna i cried it was ABSOLUTLY AMAZING AND INSPIRING OMG

[@marcobach]

Good timing! Running my very first marathon in a week!

[@runningchannel]

Good luck Marco! Let us know how you get on 👍🏻

[@kevinlance1813]

Ran mine last Saturday, I would say good luck but there's honestly no luck involved, trust your training and really pay attention to the sleep part of this video. For me the best part was remembering my journey to get to the Marathon (during the race). Go smash it Marco, let us know how it went.

[@Kelly_Ben]

Good luck!!

[@marcobach]

@@Kelly_Ben thank you!

[@mimimicro8703]

Anna - your mantra (the 2nd one you mentioned) is one of my favorites! It makes me smile 😊

[@Leeroy49]

It's good to get reminded from time to time 👍 7 weeks to go

[@phil984]

I love the „stepping up from 10k to hm“-video. Helped me ALOT to tekkle that road to my first HM. Wish me luck, 4 weeks left to run ZURICH 2022

[@TommyPOfficialTmp]

Andy's Race Mantra is Epic: "There's always more in the tank", that's gotten me a couple of PBs in training for the upcoming marathon in May 😃🔥

[@michaelrheiner2415]

First one in the books (Little Rock Arkansas)….nothing you do prepares you for a change in weather. After nothing but winter training, we lined up with rain, 99% humidity, and temps in the low 70’s. Add to that, 1200 feet of elevation gain with most of that on the back half….yeah….this was not a fast race for any of the participants. Rather than beat myself up about the missed goal, I made four new friends over the back half, drank at every option available, took the gels, enjoyed the bananas provided, and fought hamstring and quad cramping from mile 14 on. It just is what it is. I slept great, warmed up well, did the Ben Parkes plan….but weather changed everything.

[@sckilham]

I'm about to start heading into my pre-race week for my first half marathon! My favorite training mantra has been "You've done tougher things than this" because it's true! Even my hardest runs are just running that I'm grateful to be able to do!

[@stewartbransom9666]

Best video was yours Anna running the Berlin Marathon when injured the. Grit and determination brilliant

[@JohnDoe-xk1dv]

Pre week has varied - for a while when I was younger, I didn't run at all in the week before race day, although always seemed to do ok come race day. I've added though in later years an 8, a 6, and a 3 mile, every other day in the week before. The latter of these two are at significantly slower pace than the 8, them being just ticking over runs. Seems to work pretty well, and I feel a bit better on race day towards the end now. Generally its Sundays for my races - I like to take on some coconut water Saturday beforehand, which also seems to help a bit with hydration and electrolytes come race day. Agree with bulk of advice in the vid, and especially, don't be tempted by those lengthy sightseeing walks in the days before! You find you need every bit of reserve in the legs, unless you're a pro or diehard athlete. 😎

[@runningchannel]

Thanks for the great insight John! Are you doing any April marathons this year?

[@JohnDoe-xk1dv]

@@runningchannel Rotterdam next month - after that not sure yet - it's usually always one booked at a time :) It's 50th marathon race though in Rotterdam, so I'm excited just to have that in mind as a goal at moment 👌

[@melodydelrosario6482]

Have my first marathon two Sundays from now. Thank you!!

[@kevinlance1813]

I am thankful to report I ran my first Marathon February 26 in lovely Wilmington NC. Mistakes were made and lessons were learned, most importantly not to forget to take my Hypertension medication the morning of. I was slower than my fastest goal time by 26 minutes but faster than my bid time by 6 minutes so I will take it. No doubt I've benefitted greatly from the education, advice, and encouragement I've received here at TRC. Grateful that I followed almost all of the tips in this video, and of course I went back the night before my race and watched my favorite TRC videos, the great Anna will always be our favorite presenter at our house. How about some tips on now what? Seriously, other than riding my bike a lot and deciding when to crack another Marathon I don't have any clues.

[@runningchannel]

Thanks for the lovely feedback Kevin 😊 so glad we could help! Have you got any marathons lined up?

[@Kelly_Ben]

Can I ask what happened with the meds? I just ran a half marathon after being on BP meds for 2 months, and was agonizing over when to take them!

[@kevinlance1813]

@@runningchannel Not yet booked but I will do one as soon as I feel like I can have a better performance. I know I can do much better. Thanks so much

[@kevinlance1813]

@@Kelly_Ben Ok so I would like to tell anyone who is taking any prescription medication to talk to your Doc about your Marathon plans. Definitely follow their advice precisely. I simply forgot my Hypertension pill morning of because it is small and I couldn't see it at 5 AM no glasses all my fault. I had a headache and was light headed last two miles. Nothing would have stopped me though it was awesome. Good luck and go smash it!

[@Kelly_Ben]

@@kevinlance1813 Of course! 😆 Sadly with the state of our health care at the moment, I've had to wait months for my first cardiologist appt, so my regular doctor just gave me the typical "take as directed and run as tolerated" deal. I took mine slightly earlier than normal and before the race, but I could have done slightly later and after, and still have been following doctor's orders, so real world experience is a help.

[@loriem1031]

You Marathoners are AWESOME! The most I've done is a Half, and I'm going for another one by the end of this month..double that mileage....INTIMIDATING for me!! Y'all gonna crush it, I'm positive!!

[@brittanyglenn3227]

I hear SO many people say this, and this is how I’ve inspired others to train for a marathon... it is SO common to finish a half and say “I can’t possibly double that!” But marathon training doesn’t expect you to train up to a half and then run a full the week after! Instead of asking yourself “can I run a half marathon twice?” Ask yourself “can I run one more mile than 13.1? Then after you train to 14.1, ask yourself “can I run 15 or 16?” Do that enough times throughout your training and you will be trained up to 20 in no time! It will be hard at times, I’m not going to lie, but mentally breaking up your training into smaller goals will help running a marathon seem more attainable!

[@runningchannel]

Thanks for all the positive energy Lori 😁 You should try training for a marathon distance, it's far more manageable than you think

[@kevinlance1813]

I just completed my first Marathon and it may hard to believe me but I know exactly how you feel. Pick a good training block for beginner Marathoners (TRC one is gold) and commit. Trust your training especially when it feels like you're not getting better. Believe in yourself, I believe in you. Go get it

[@loriem1031]

@@kevinlance1813 thank you for the positive words⭐

[@katherine136]

Annas toughest Island race - I watch it before every long run!

[@astroglow]

favourite video is Anna running the Azores ultra

[@heathermason6296]

My mantra is to tell my body how amazing it is!

[@runningchannel]

Great mantra Heather!

[@robsnobb]

try "I am fast and I feel great !"

[@twold4this]

Excellent advice, of course! Cannot disagree with any of it. I usually have up to a couple of hours drive to get to a marathon (most races, actually) therefore before the Sunday morning car journey I must plan, be familiar WITH... COFFEE! At home? Flask? or café? pre event. Google maps! Same with breakfast. I find it easier on a cold, rainy and dark Sunday morning to be up and out of the front door before I get too warm and comfortable at home! Route and timings eg road works, parking, cafe, motorway service loos! ... whatever. Weather! Facilities available at race hq? Loos etc Treble check start time! Running in final week. Keeping my middle aged legs moving - a jog here, a walk there. First marathon? By the final week pre race you are ready. Don't think you can 'get a bit more...' fit or faster - just keep your legs moving. Don't think 'this new piece of kit...' will make a positive difference on the day! Use - same kit, socks, shorts, UNDERWEAR etc NUTRITION AND WATER.

[@runningchannel]

Great advice! You can never plan too much on race day, the more you know the less you have to worry about. How do you find driving home after a marathon?

[@twold4this]

@@runningchannel An excellent question. Being aware of tiredness is a good starting point... stopping for a coffee... being willing to stay in the left hand lane of the motorway/dual carriageway, opening window for blasts of cold air, not putting The Lullaby Channel on the radio 🤔

[@SophieOughton]

Running my first marathon this weekend, just trying to get to the finish line honestly! Great advise tho

[@andrewreinwand4942]

I’ve said this before and it still applies - this channel has a hidden camera in my house. Almost every video somehow connects to something I’m currently working on or preparing for lol (although I get that many can say that most likely). Next marathon is two weeks away so this is perfectly timed!

[@runningchannel]

Hahaha good luck for your marathon Andrew! Which one are you running?

[@andrewreinwand4942]

@@runningchannel thanks! I’m running the Des Moines St. Paddy’s Day Marathon in Des Moines, IA. My second marathon, first out of state and second attempt to start running a marathon (or farther distance) in every US State.

[@markfinlay422]

Good luck to anyone running a marathon in the next couple of weeks!

[@Kelly_Ben]

Great video!! For mantras I've used Vivsvibe's "forward is a pace", and "the pain doesn't matter, do it anyway". I've got a while last of mantras I read the night before, so that whatever fits the moment best is fresh in my mind. My favorite video was Anna running her ultramarathon! But I really love your challenge videos. It's a reminder that running should be fun!

[@runningchannel]

Thanks Kelly! You're right, running should always be fun 😁 Any marathon's lines up?

[@Kelly_Ben]

@@runningchannel I've got the Mt Toby 50k coming up in April. It's got 6,900 ft of elevation gain, and I'm definitely not ready, but we'll see how fit I can get in the next 3 weeks! 😆

[@jamesgay3207]

Thanks Team - marathon next Sunday so perfect timing

[@runningchannel]

Good luck James! Let us know how you get on 😁

[@RecaneYala]

Great video. Thank you for the tips.

[@runningchannel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@teachingasfastasican5785]

I absolutely LOVE you guys!! Running SF marathon this coming Sunday, and getting wound up "in my head" is always my downfall. Thank you for the mantras and positivity as well. Someday, I hope to run LONDON. As long as my teaching salary allows for a venture like that. HA!

[@edwin5419]

I always have a high fibre meal the morning of the day before, then no fibre or meat (learned that the hard way) after lunch the day before. I watch Spirit of the Marathon the night before or morning of. Still gets me after so many watches.

[@runningchannel]

Great advice Edwin, no fibre on race dat is definitely a good tip!

[@kierenkd]

Low residue (fibre) carbs is common with cyclists. It can lead to an explosive liquidy shart in a marathon. Definitely one to test before running in crowds

[@edwin5419]

@@kierenkd not an issue for me. I've done 8 marathons and a bunch of shorter races

[@kierenkd]

@@edwin5419 You just said you have a high fibre meal the night before, so I wouldn't expect it to be an issue. Low residue diet will be a few days at least amongst other steps.

[@edwin5419]

@@kierenkd ok, then you understood what I said. Not sure the point of your comment in that case

[@tonyreeves5083]

"Avoid walking too much at the Expo"... hahahaha! I was one who had to stand in a two hour queue for baggage drop at last year's London Marathon. I did 26,000 steps that day!!!!

[@teachingasfastasican5785]

Oh, and my favorite video you ask? Likely Anna's experience at Boston or mayhaps New York?

[@jota55581]

My mantra is the word Good !

[@SPihlaja]

The two burners on for the pasta shot really bothered me. DANGEROUS RUNNERS!

[@runningchannel]

😂 sorry Stephen!

[@stevepowell-thomas5918]

Hi Anna very good advice 🏁🏃thanks

[@NateMegOfficial]

Two months until my first half marathon! Just ran my longest distance ever yesterday. I may have cried lol

[@runningchannel]

Good luck for your half marathon!

[@theartofboxing173]

what do you mean by 4x100m strides?

[@phil984]

ive stolen annas „mind over matter“ mantra… sorry… but it is too good…

[@stambuk11]

There is only one phrase to keep me motivated, Stay hard! 😂😂

[@michaelgoode9555]

There is little that is more demotivating than getting yet another ballot rejection from London. I am pretty sure that the ballot is not completely fair otherwise how do some people get in year after year after year? I really feel like slinging my running kit in the bin at the moment and jacking in running for good.

[@benjaminhall5784]

First-timer here. 6 days... 😱

[@TimmyWimmy]

anna's ultra =]

[@carljones1498]

Manchester marathon in April Im confident and very nervous 3 week out ♥️ just wanna get there injury free injury 🤕

[@runningchannel]

Good luck Carl! We know you’ll smash it 💪

[@carljones1498]

@@runningchannel ♥️

[@lesarbres2625]

See you on the start line

[@baneleskovac955]

I’m a week out of my first marathon.. wish me luck

[@mrmithungarg]

Awesome content

[@freespeechviral5253]

I bet these guys will be able to give kipchoge a decent run for his money !

[@ajaysingh-dn6io]

Awesome ❤ ❤ ❤

[@Woosaah1981]

Shift worker, so sleep is a long lost thing

[@elzuzo]

My personal mantra for the marathon is: "Pain, come over I'm yours..."

[@augustusgreen7881]

Can you run while juggling

[@Tara_Masika]

Can you?

[@irishmusiccentral]

Wasn't there a guy juggling in Anna's NYC marathon video?

[@Desbienvenido]

Oh man, you guys are a day too late… anyway, I love the content 💯

[@runningchannel]

What does your week before a marathon look like?

[@Desbienvenido]

@@runningchannel two easy runs 3-to-4 miles each and lots of eating and hydration. Yesterday was race day. I was going for PR under 3:30 and bonked at mile 15. I didn’t eat breakfast. I thought I was going to be able to power through with the few GUs offered at the aid stations. Oh well, now I know better!

[@augustusgreen7881]

Hello

[@michaelkinahan1829]

No alcohol after 2pm ..... does that mean morning drinking is ok 😂😂

[@runningchannel]

😂

[@dliedke]

NO TRAINING ONE WEEK BEFORE MARATHON!!!! OMG!!

[@tanthaman]

Anna has a big stomach