Runner's Training Tips: Doubts after months of training

Worrying will do you no good. Just relax and know that you ran almost the entire distance just a few weeks ago. I only ran a 14 miler for my long run before my first marathon and I qualified for Boston.

Most of this will depend on how you work. I run best if I have been relaxed leading up to it. Don't stress out. You put in your training and should be fine. I'm guessing that you want to get a decent time and not just finish based on your long run. 

I often feel worse on short runs than long ones. Get rest and relax so you will be ready. 

Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for words of relaxation.  While I didn't relax much over the weekend, I did manage to stay busy enough not to be worrying all weekend. 

 Yes, I would like a decent time; however, my decent time is 4 and 1/2 hours.  If I beat that time, I'll be happy as a first time marathoner.  With the timing of my runs, it seems that is an appropriate goal.  Now I would LOVE to break the 4 hour mark, but I'll save that one for my second marathon, if I do choose to run another.

 I guess I don't really know what to expect since I have never been NYC.

 Again thanks for responding.

Well, it was a tough run.  I actually half expected to get through this race slightly faster than my long runs had been.  My 22 miles that I did on October 12th was completed in 3:51, so I thought I had a shot at hitting the 4 and 1/2 hour mark. 

Well, I ended up running 4:46, which I am completely happy with for my first marathon. 

I had never been to NYC before, so I ended up walking around Friday and Saturday and that led to my feet and legs being tired come Sunday morning.  I now know better for my next marathon (Stay in the day before!).  I was actually tripped just after mile 20 coming off of the 59th street bridge I think (could have been a different bridge).  My left knee was hurting for the remainder of the run after that fall.

 I am very happy to have my first marathon completed and I have to say that choosing the NYC Marathon as my first was the most awesome thing ever!  I am thinking that the bar is set in NYC and there is no where to go but down after this experience.

Yes  congrats!!!   I want NYC to be my first too...if im lucky enough to get it...

But hey..you did something thousands only dream about...so...awesome for you!!  all that worrying for nothing eh?  :)

 but hey...there are soo many amazing marathons out there it seems....soo..keep working toward that sub 4hr goal!!   :) 

Well it was my first marathon.  I almost started crying after I got over the verrazzano narrows bridge and saw the huge amount of crowds.  I have never seen so many people before in my life.  They were cheering and yelling and just having a good time.  I felt like the runners were their parade and they were all there to watch it.  I'm originally from Louisiana and they celebrate Mardi Gras there and there are always so many people there for the parades.  The crowds in NYC for race day really were just as many as I have seen for Mardi Gras parades, yet they were out there handing treats out to the many runners and yelling and cheering them on.  I really can't describe in words what I felt each time I high fived a kid or just thinking about the sheer number of the crowds.

 Not only the crowds but the amount of people running with you is awesome too.  I ran passed a blind man who was running the marathon and I just thought that was amazing.  Then I passed a man who only had one leg and was doing the marathon on crutches.  There are no word to describe the way I felt and how I feel now just thinking about their own accomplishment.  The race was very difficult with having all of my body parts functioning properly, I could never imagine having the dedication it took for them to complete the race.  They are the real winners!

This also showed me where my training was lacking and now I know what I need to do for the next one, as I find that it is a bit contagious.  The feeling you get after crossing the finish line is unlike anything I have ever experienced.  I was overcome with emotion because I felt like I had accomplished something very special.

 I could definitely see myself going back in 2 years, but I want to make sure I can do a sub 4 hour when I go back!  I've got a lot of work to do.  Their was longer hills than I worked for.  While I trained on hills, I had no LONG hills to workout on and I think this hurt me early on.  By the time mile 16 had rolled around, I was hilled out and I hadn't even run very many by that time.  However by the time mile 23 rolled around, I realized that I had nothing to complain about at mile 16!  So I guess I'll be running harder, longer, and hillier!  I guess the first one is about experiencing what your body is telling you so that you can come back to be better for the next one!