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DEL.ICIO.USReady for the marathon?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m getting hyped for Sunday’s marathon.
A year ago today was the inaugural ING. The pre-race excitement of hanging out at Woodruff Park with my family is coming back to me.
It was dark that morning as people gathered. The weather was already balmy. The Kenyan runners were doing practice runs around the park. And I was bouncing on my toes humming the theme to “Rocky.”
Are you ready for Sunday? When is your last run before race?
I have slight soreness and a small knot on my thigh and don’t plan to run again until the marathon. My brother, who’s my primary race adviser, has ordered me to get a massage, and for peace of mind have a doctor check out my leg. (Regular doses of Advil have already helped too.)
As we’ve said before, trainer Gayle Barron recommends two to three massages before marathons to release built-up lactic acid.
She’s also big on ice baths after long runs to relieve soreness.
“If you fill the tub with tap water and then take a bucket of ice from the fridge and gradually add it in; it will take all the soreness out of your muscles,” she says. “It’s hard to stay in there but you will be rejuvenated.”
You all will have to tell me about that one. I flee from extreme coldness.
Atlanta Chiropractor Dr. Norman Eng, who’s volunteered in medical tents at New York City marathons, advises ING Georgia runners to be mindful of common issues that kick in when they hit the “wall” late in the race.
He recommends at least 15 minutes of lower extremity stretches before and after long runs.
“Those are the areas where I worked on most during the race,” he says.
He also urges runners like me who lose a lot of sodium while running to carry salt packs and gels.
“In basic terms, If you are drinking too much water and sweating a considerable amount, your salt levels drop and you can get sick,” Eng says. [Or vomit like I did at the end of last year’s race.]
For more info click this link to the New England Journal of Medicine.
MORE: PEACHTREE ROAD RACE INFO. State of the Art Marathon Training. USA Fit/Team Spirit. Active Trainer. Atlanta Track Club. Road Rules. ING Georgia Marathon.
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Comments
By Jim
March 25, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
Move to the Caribbean.
By John Tackett
March 25, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
This past Saturday I did a 20 mile run, including lots of hills, to get ready for the race. This week I will do a couple of 5 mile runs as well as some aerobics and swimming, all to keep me up and ready for the race on Sunday.
The triathlon club I belong to has staked out a location on the course to cheer on the runners (and club members.)
Based on preliminary weather reports, I have my shorts and singlet picked out for the run, gel packets in my running belt, and now deciding on which pair of shoes to wear. Of course, I may get to the expo and see a pair of running shorts I like even better.
I am ready and looking forward to the event. Only wish there was some way all the bloggers here could meet before the race and at least introduce ourselves to each other. I have enjoyed reading and sharing comments, ideas, and thoughts will the group. Thanks Adrianne for the blog!!
Best of luck to all and have a safe and enjoyable run/trot/walk this Sunday!!
By Christian
March 25, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
Yea - I’m stoked to run the race this year.
The course is awesome. People crabbed last year about the heat, the lack of fluids, the difficulty…
…but, marathons are supposed to be hard. I look forward to taking a tour through this great city once again.
All on my feet.
Christian Run50Miles.org