[Tibouchina]

It's somewhat scary to think of (26.2 miles????) but I am going to do it. I will be doing the Pocatello Marathon on Sept 4th. I did it as a half marathon last year (thats where my avatar pic came from).

Any hints? I am just starting out on a 24 (modified to 25) week beginner's walking marathon schedule. Not too bad so far. I have 6 hrs 45 min to complete the marathon before they shut it down. That's a pace of 3.88 MPH.

Just seeing if anyone else has done one and any hints. Thanks

[mkroyer]

Ive done a couple! The most rewarding and incredible experience of my life!-- IF IF IF you TRAIN well! if not...... well........26 miles is a LONG WAY to go!

[EveLHaelf]

Hey!

First of all, congrats on all your success so far. I'm doing my fist half marathon in June!

I don't have any advice for you, but I wanted to say I'm in Idaho, about 3 and a half hours away from Pocatello. Call me a dork, but I'm just excited someone on here is some-what close to me! Depending on how my first half goes, I may sign up for that one.

[Tibouchina]

Thanks you two.

Good luck on your half. It is fun you're in Idaho. I live down in Utah but a friend's brother lives up there. The race is very well done. Lots of water stations with water, Powerade, fruit, and some have gels. Also Vaseline and bandaids, etc.

I paid $45 for the half and I got a duffel bag, a nice microfiber shirt, a medal, lunch afterwards....and a sack of potatoes. It had potatoes and boxed hash browns. Really, that's why I signed up for it and am doing that as the full this year. Just an Idaho touch I LOVE

[mulder1921]

I walked a full marathon in Alaska a few years ago. I trained with 2 pairs of the same shoe, alternating them. This way, they were both broken in, I was used to the shoe, and I could then do the marathon in those shoes. Also, the shoes I wore were running shoes that I went got from a store that specialized in running shoes. The fitted me and knew what I was using the shoes for.

Also, while training, try to drink and use sport gels that will be used during the marathon. Usually, the website for the marathon will tell you what brand they will have ( ie: gatorade, powerade, etc). I read that tip somewhere during my training and it helped.

I did most of my training on a treadmill, but near the end of training I started doing half of walks outside. My last long training walk ( 20 miles) was done outside.

During the marathon, I wore a fanny pack ( yes, not attractive, but useful) I took a camera with me and took pictures throughout, including myself with different mile markers. I also had chapstick, my ipod, sports gel in there.

My time was 6:25:38, which is a little faster then a 4 mile an hour pace. I had actually trained to do a pace similar to yours but ended up walking faster.

Good luck and most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!

[mkroyer]

if youre going to walk it, dont COUNT on there being energy goos/gels whatever at the aid stations.......just saying sometimes they run out.....

[Tibouchina]

That's true about possibly running out. Last time I packed some Clif Powershot things and they worked very nicely. Like fruit snacks! Planning on having a whole supply of those again, unless I find a nicer product

Lots of good tips there mulder1921 - thanks I went one step farther than you - I wore a small camera bag around my waist as a makeshift fanny pack, haha. It was really nice for holding water cups and fruit so I didn't have to litter, as well as my inhalers (mild-ish asthma), powershots, etc.

I do most of my training on the treadmill, since it's easier to make sure I get all the miles in. I need to head there for 4 miles today (first "long" day). At least last time I jogged for 5 miles straight for the first time - go me!

I did take a couple of pictures during the race and texted them to family and friends - it was fun to get their encouraging texts back (ah, technology)