10 miler Race Saturday.

[Agelesslass]

Managed 9 miles in training the other day, couldn’t do the 10 as really struggled with tired legs. Any tips for Saturday and how to meet that magic 10 miles. Into fast, average 11 minute miles. Thanks fellow runners.

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Plenty of rest and ease off the miles when running. You will maintain your fitness but get some freshness back after a period of building during your training.

Make sure on run day you are nice and relaxed, get there in plenty of time, etc. Hold yourself back at the start. We can all be guilty of going off too fast, but stick to your game plan so you have plenty left for the later miles.

Enjoy yourself!

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Thanks so much WhatsApp, good advice, it makes sense.

[Madge50 Marathon]

You’ll smash it, don’t worry, if you’ve done 9 miles in training 10 will be fine, and it’s good to leave a little for the day, makes it special.

As Whatsapp says, rest now, eat well, this will allow your body to rest and be in good condition for the day.

Most of all, relax, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy!

Good luck! 👍🏃‍♀️

Mx

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Don’t do much leg wise the day before. You could have a little jog if your legs feel jittery but no hikes 😁.

Enjoy the day and do your best. Eat cake! 👍🏃‍♀️🏅🍰

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks misswobble, I will take your advice

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Thanks so much Madge50

[Irish-John Marathon]

First time I did ten miles I couldn't stand up afterwards for quite a while.

Next one, and shortly after first one, I finished feeling quite well.

I really think we unconsciously drain an awful lot of energy by being very tense and clenched when going for a new distance or when in a race and thinking of the Finish Line.

I also find that if I focus on the finish point of a run I seem to have "just enough" to get to it - but if I figure I "might run a wee bit longer just for fun/interest" when I complete whatever that days goal distance is, not only am I in better shape at the point but I usually do a bit more in good shape

Second ten miles seemed "easier" because I KNEW I had done it once so it was not "I dunno if it's actually physically possible for me" pressure which cleared my mind and helped me concentrate on the basics - slow, steady, breathe, relax etc.

Hope this is helpful and best wishes Ten miles is a nice feeling

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

That is extremely helpful Irish-John, thanks so much. I shall think of this as Irunning this Saturday.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I strongly agree with a couple of the points already made: do not start too fast and don't be tense, enjoy it ( I have fallen foul of both).

It should be easy to know my pace and to stick to it, but even with my Garmin watch spelling it out, the gremlins get in my head, I fear there will be no-one left behind me (rubbish, there are plenty behind me and I'm not fast!), I think it's best to get ahead of the game while I feel fresh (rubbish, I pay for it in the last mile or two). My new mantra ' there is no such thing as banking time' (not an original observation, I read it recently, written by a real runner 😂). It is so, so true - it is simply the cause of tired legs at the end.

It's also too easy to be tense and to have huge expectations. I tell myself it doesn't matter, it's to be enjoyed and a good time is simply icing on the cake (I also strongly agree with the cake comment 😀). But the gremlins in my head are constantly calculating and urging me on, telling me it's really important to get a 'good' time (rubbish, it's critical I cross the line and feel I enjoyed my race - I got a great time in my 10 mile race, but didn't enjoy it and din't feel good about it in the end, still don't).

We are all looking for different things I know, but it's taken me a while to work out that these two things are really important for me at least. Whether I can put the good intentions into practice is a whole different matter

I hope you really enjoy your event and feel great at the end; in the meantime be nice to yourself, take it steady and don't burden yourself with great expectations. Good luck. We will all be cheering you on

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to linda9389]

That is so kind of you linda9389. I am going to follow everyone’s advice on here. You have all been terrific and replying to me. It’s nice to know you’re all behind me. Bless you all.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Agelesslass]

You should get yourself added to the event list then you will get the full benefit of the Friday pom-pom cheer to carry you on your way too

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

Everyone has already said everything useful I think, but on race day I guarantee you'll be fine to hit the ten mile target 😊 It's really a bit impossible to compare training days with events I find, because the adrenaline and atmosphere make such a huge impact. Sometimes too much impact—don't get carried away and shoot off at an unsustainable pace 😄 (I usually do)

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Sqkr]

Thanks Sqkr, getting nervous already

[Sqkr Half Marathon in reply to Agelesslass]

Ach you'll have grand day, make sure you tell us all about it!

[Irish-John Marathon]

I just read this tip yesterday and it motivated me to do a ten miler for only the fourth time (and first time on a treadmill - it does get monotonous at that distance I found).

Instead of "10 miles" think "Five two-milers".

I counted down therefore from 5 instead of 10 - and I honestly believe the last mile and a half would not have been achieved otherwise.

A bit late to post here for today AL, but thought it might be useful for future runs 🙂

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks Irish John, I did it in just under 2 hours, so chuffed

[Irish-John Marathon in reply to Agelesslass]

WELL DONE!!!! 🤩

Congratulations AL - well done indeed! 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks so much.