10 Things Not to Do Before a Big Race

Before a big race don't...

1. over hydrate (drink plenty of fluids, but not to excess).

2. fill your last taper week with cross-training or strength training or trying to get in those missed runs (your body needs this time to repair so you'll be refreshed for the race).

3. eat pasta with a heavy cream sauce the night before the race (waking up with indigestion is never a good thing). Actually, you don't even need to eat pasta. Eat what you've been eating the night before your long runs. Yes, it's great for your pre-race dinner to be simple-carb rich, but that can take many forms. You know your own stomach. Don't try something you've never eaten the night before a long run.

4. go to bed too early (try to get 8 hrs, but going to bed too early may cause you wake up too early; then you may have a hard time falling back asleep). But also, don't fret if you can't sleep. If you normally get a good amount of sleep nightly on a regular basis, not sleeping the night before the race will not effect you negatively.

5. read back copies of your running magazines and discover all the things you should have been doing (avoid things that may cause you to question your training). Trust. Believe. Conquer!

6. listen to everyone's advice about how to run your race (you've put in the training; you know what needs to be done).

7. make last minute changes to race strategy plans (trust your training). Many races are lost in the first mile when runners get caught up in the race-start hoopla and bolt out too fast. Most PRs are made when races are run as a negative split meaning a runner starts out conservative and ends up running the second half a little fast than the first.

8. forget to layout your racing attire before going to bed, so you won't be panicked in the morning trying to find your clothes and gear (being prepared before going to bed will help your mind relax so you can sleep better). Lay out everything...shoes, shorts/tights, shirt/singlet, socks, race bib, hydration belt or handheld bottle (if carrying or wearing one), Gu, etc. If you plan to pack a drop-off bag to have at the end of the race, go ahead and pack that too. Let race morning be focused on fueling and dressing, not trying to find everything.

9. pick up a different brand of gel at the expo to use during the race, just because it was a great bargain or free (all gels are not created equal; never try something on race day that you've not tested in your training).

10. buy new shoes and/or apparel at the expo and decide to wear them in the race (blisters and chafing—that's what you risk by wearing new shoes and/or apparel; not a good thing on race day).

See Dane Run!

One of the wonderful things about the Internet is that it allows you to converse with people you may otherwise never encounter in person. One such person I've recently befriended is Dane Rauschenberg. If that name sounds familiar, you may recall back in 2006 a guy that ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks. Dane is that guy. He is one of only three people to ever run 52 marathons in a calendar year. He successfully completed his goal (dubbed Fiddy2) on December 31, 2006, in Springfield, MO. His average finish time for the 52 races was 3:21:16. But his accomplishment goes way beyond the 52 races. While running he also raised money for L'Arche-Mobile, an international federation of communities in which people with a mental handicap and those who help them can live, work, and share their lives together. Dane's goal was to raise $52, 000.

Having a full-time job and being a father of three, I often find it hard to fit my running into everything else that's going on in my life. So I asked Dane how he does it.

"As for fitting things in, I have always been of the belief that you fit into your life all that you truly want to. If it is important to you, then you will make it happen. While running the 52 Marathons I was working full-time in patent licensing, fund-raising for Fiddy2, ran my website, wrote race recaps, conducted interviews and did my very best to live a normal life all at the same time. This is not meant to brag but only show what can be done when obstacles are only seen as something to make the journey more worth while."

What's on the horizon for Dane?

"My aspirations currently include continuing to push the boundaries of my current endurance while trying to always get faster. I am often asked why I do not try for that one "fast marathon" and stop racing so much. To me, this question misses the point. Obviously speed is something we all wish to obtain but it is not the be all and end all of racing. If I had just focused on being a faster runner I would have never had the unbelievable experience I did in 2006. Yet, at the same time, contrary to what many think is the proper way to race, I continue to get faster. In fact, I am going for a big PR on Sunday(12/7), just one week removed from my 3:10 pacing effort in Seattle. More specifically, I am looking to run across the country in 50 days hoping to raise awareness for childhood obesity. I would like to test some of the famous ultras out there such as Comrades and Western States. I would like to do one of those 24 Hour relays like Hood to Coast as a solo runner. The only limit to what I want to do is whether I can obtain the sponsorship to cover my expenses. The world is really my oyster at this point."

Want to learn more about Dane's experiences during Fiddy2? Then check out his book, See Dane Run! Also, check out his blog, DaneGer Zone. Dane says he wrote the book in part "to show that you needn't be a runner your whole life in order to chase a running dream." Dane excelled at swimming in high school, played collegiate rugby and then procured an amateur boxing record, all before running became such an integral part of his life.

Keep it up Dane! And, keep us posted on the across-the-country run for childhood obesity awareness. I was very overweight as a child and truly know the importance of helping kids learn early the positive effects of living a healthy life.

Blueliners Shine at OBX Marathon

Les, Neal, and Wayne took the Outer Banks Marathon by storm last Sunday. Neal (2nd-time marathoner) and Wayne (first-time marathoner)—ran strong races. Veteran marathoner, Les, ran strong as well, placing 2nd in his age group! Awesome job Blueliners! Read below for a recap from each runner.

Les:

For some, the conditions might have been perfect but for me it could have been about 20 degrees cooler at the start (like Myrtle Beach). If I'm not shivering in a singlet, it's too hot! The split times on the website tell the story of my race. My first half marathon was at 3:20 pace and I was feeling pretty good but up to 20 miles I was down to 3:25 pace and in the last 10K things fell apart. Everything was going quite smoothly until I hit the ups and downs of the trail section. The surface under foot was nice and cushioned but I think it was harder work on the soft surface and my legs started to feel heavy. On emerging the woods, I could feel the sun sucking out the energy and there was no shade on the course after that. It felt like most of the course was uphill, just like Myrtle Beach, but there was definitely a tough hill (a high bridge) in the 23rd mile that almost finished me off. I saw a poor runner who had collapsed being loaded into the back of a pick-up, which worried me a little, but I was determined not to stop. The rest of the course was flat and I kept thinking that if I can run the last mile on a Saturday morning over Herbie's Hill I can finish this course. I stumbled into the finish with a slower time (chip 3:34) than hoped but pleased that I'd run the race without stopping to walk. Interestingly, I see I got 2nd place in my age group. The guy who came first in my age group did a 3:05! I think they need to check his birth certificate!

Wayne:

I’m happy to report that my first marathon is in the books and I lived through it as well. Ran 26.2 miles in 4 hours and 8 minutes. In my opinion, the weather couldn’t have been any better… a bit chilly but not too cold for me. I was in the 3rd corral (9 to 11 minute pacers). The energy and excitement in the air was excellent and made for a great start. There was excellent local support along the entire course. Music, pirate costumes and beautiful waterscapes abound. My plan was to go with my body and keep my heart rate in the 160 to 170 range, which puts me right around a 9 minute pace. Having a pacer/running partner would have been very helpful for this event! I had been warned about the sand section but there was also a technically challenging trail segment, which wasn’t much fun. At times it was only wide enough for a single line of runners and very steep in some places too. This concerned me greatly since my feet don’t like trail running (Salem Lake proved that to me). Yes, I ran the absolute entire bridge! Cursed it the entire time but ran nonetheless. All in all my body held up surprisingly well and although I didn’t break 3 hours I was still very happy with my finish time. It was interesting to see many people gingerly walking about as I was.

Neal:

55 or so degrees at the start, little to no real winds to speak of, and about 65 or so at the finish. Not a cloud in the sky—100% sunny. My time was a little below 4:30, but I ran comfortably, had about 8 minutes of breaks, and there was a wacky trail run for 3.1 miles at mile 10 that I wasn't focused on!

Good Luck to The OBX Marathoners!

Best of luck to all the runners headed to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina for the OBX Marathon on Sunday! I especially want to send well wishes to my running buddies—Les, Wayne, Neal, and Jonathon. They've trained hard and are going to represent the Blueliners well. You guys are awesome! Don't forget to enjoy the view while you're running. Supposed to be a beautiful course!
Two other running buddies—Andy and Kelly—and I recently ran the Ridge to Bridge Marathon in Morganton, NC. This race was on the other side of the state in the mountains. The first 14 miles were down hill! Was a tough race. Kelly and Andy both set PRs. Kelly even qualified for Boston! Wasn't my day. I had to drop out of the race. But it was a beautiful course nonetheless. It's a small race (only 150 runners) and extremely well organized. I'm always looking for new races, especially marathons and half marathons. What are some of your favorites?

Marathon Training Plans

Many of you are tapering in preparation for your fall marathon or you've just finished up your fall marathon. I'm interested in what training plan or plans you used. Did you use a specific plan, create your own, or did you do like me and take bits and pieces from different plans to create your own? This link will take you to a plan from Runner's World that I used. It's a tough plan and I ended up having to alter it.
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244-255-11938-0,00.html The one thing I did learn from using this plan is the importance of speed work.I used the plan last year in training for Chicago and my endurance was the best it's ever been for short- and long-distance races. This year I didn't include as much speed work and my endurance and speed weren't anything compared to last year. So, send me some links to plans you've used. Thanks!

Welcome!

Howdy! I'm new to this so bear with me. I'm an avid runner in NC and thought I'd start this blog to connect with other runners in NC as well as all across the country. I'm 43 and I've been running for about 20 years, more seriously the last 8. I've run 10 marathons and love the challenge of the long distance run. Running keeps me sane as well as healthy. I have a chronic illness, ulcerative colitis, that makes running interesting at times, but I'm not going to let it get me down. If you are a runner and are dealing with a chronic illness, it would be great to hear from you.