Conquering the 31st Milo 42k Marathon

The moment has come…to face one of the biggest personal challenges in my life. I aim to conquer my first 42 kilometers Marathon tomorrow at 4am for the 31st Milo Marathon. The marathon starts in Km. 0 at the Rizal monument, going all the way along Roxas Blvd making a U-turn in NAIA road going to Buendia. From Gil Puyat, the race continues all the way the entire stretch of Buendia crossing over the Kalayaan flyover to the Fort. Then it passes the Fort area passing through Lawton avenue until Heritage Gardens near C-5 which is the 25km point. Hopefully, I will survive on my way back and reach the Quirino grandstand safely at 11am.

I can’t imagine how the Ultra-marathoners (see Run For Your Life) will survive running the 100km starting from U.P. at 7pm tonight and also ending in Quirino grandstand in sync with the Milo Marathon for their last 42km. We joined forces together to dedicate our marathon run for a cause to Kythe. Thanks to all the people who sent me their pledges!! Collectively, for every Kilometer I finish, I will be donating P500 to Kythe and I do hope to complete the 42km tomorrow. I actually have a bad stomach since last week and I do hope that the meds would take effect in time for the Marathon tomorrow. There is still time to send me your challenge pledge (via email anton@diaz.ph / text 0928 – 558 8500) (see Blogger’s Run For a Kid’s Life) and to other blogger-runners who decided to join in the Blogger’s Marathon-for-a-cause.

If you have time, please watch and support us tomorrow morning for the 31st Milo 42k Marathon run. If you decide to support, you can give gatorade to the runners or just a simple cheer would do to encourage our spirits to complete the marathon. If not, make sure to avoid the marathon race route tomorrow morning since it will be closed for 7 hours. Thanks for all your support and say hi when you see a fat guy running hopelessly in green milo marathon shirt with P&G logo at the back.

Jim’s Top 10 Tips for Running a Successful Marathon….

Jim’s Top 10 Tips for Running a Successful Marathon

When you ask your body to run 42.2 kilometers, the SMALLEST of details can make the difference between success and failure, or making it a great experience or 6 hours of hell. Here is a listing of the personal discoveries I have had in finishing 18 full marathons, so you can avoid some of the HUGE mistakes I have made in the past:

1. Never wear anything new. No new socks, new t-shirts, shorts. And absolutely, positively, no new shoes or underwear. Everything you wear should be “battle tested” on a long run to ensure it does not irritate your skin or rub you the wrong way. Chafing and rubbing can absolutely stop you from continuing.

2. Start out slow, a lot slower than you feel you can run. Marathoning is a sequence of 2 events of mind/body. The first 30 kilometers you must use your mind to convince your body to SLOW DOWN when it wants to go fast. The final 10 kilometers, you must use your mind to convince your body to SPEED UP when it wants to stop. It is very easy to fall into a trap of going too fast at the start as your adrenaline and energy carry you along. Remember, it is not how you start, but how you finish, that will determine success. Take it easy.

3. Take care of your nipples (Guys—watch out!). NOTHING is more painful than having a sweat soaked shirt rub your nipples raw until they bleed. This will happen over 42.2 kilometers unless you take precautions. Women need to wear a sports bra that they have tested in long runs. Guys should use band-aids or any other bandage to cover. Plus some lubricant on top to make sure.

4. Carry a fanny pack with key aids. There are special running fanny packs that are comfortable and allow you to carry along small items. Despite the best efforts of your friends and family to be along the course for support; and the race organizers to have plenty of aid stations, 99% of the time you will find yourself in need and no one is there to help. I suggest to carry a small amount of toilet paper; lubricant for any chafing/lips; some gel packs for energy; and some money in case you need to buy something enroute. Also a cell phone can help if you are in a large race and will need to locate your family at the finish line.

5. Eat as normal. There is plenty of talk about “carbo loading” and the like. This is fine, but in reality don’t try new foods the day before or the day of the marathon. Eat as you normally would. This kind of running can really wreak havoc on your bowels and stomach, and to add in new foods can often make it worse.

6. Get to the start line at least 45 minutes prior to start. You will need to sort out where to start, ensure you have everything, and also to make a last minute trip to the toilet. Don’t come 5 minutes before when the mad rush is on—get there early and warm up.

7. Mix water and sports drinks during the run. I would not suggest drinking only water or only a sports drink. Mix them and drink a half-cup of each at each aid station. DON’T SKIP OUT ON THE FLUIDS. Take a little at every stop! You are not dehydrated until it is too late to notice. Water is crucial but if this is all you drink, you will feel bloated and will not get all the nutrients you need. Drink only Powerade and you will get all the electrolytes (needed for muscle contraction) but you can get an upset stomach. This is why it is key to mix them.

8. Take walk breaks. Even if only for 30 seconds, this allows your running muscles to rest briefly while you switch focus to the walking muscles. I suggest walking for a few seconds at each water station. Many people, myself included, will say they have run their fastest times when they took small walk breaks every 10 or 15 minutes. This preserves your legs for the final 10 KM, which is when the real marathon begins!

9. Get your sleep 2 days before the race. You won’t sleep too well the night before, so don’t worry about it, and under no circumstances should you take any medication to help you sleep that can make you groggy the next morning. The key is to get a good night sleep 2 days prior. Focus on this night (Friday) and don’t stay out too late.

10. Finally, don’t do anything stressful the final week of the marathon. Too many runners try to get in some final tough runs on the last 7 days, and they enter the marathon with dead legs. There is nothing you can do to get in any better shape in the final 7 days, so don’t even try. The only thing you can gain by over training in the final week is sore legs that will let you down on marathon day. Take it easy, rest up. And on the Saturday before, do NOTHING. No walking, nothing. Lay around the house and watch movies!