Fame At Last
The Chicago Marathon has (as most big marathon races do now) a regular e-mail posted out to all entrants. It includes the usual training advice, race information updates, nutritional advice, stuff you might want to spend your money on and blatant advertising from the sponsors.
The Chicago Marathon e-mail has something a little different, a ’Question Of The Month’ aimed at opening up a general discussion and giving advice to runners with little or no experience. The idea is that entrants offer their opinions/answers to said question. Well this month I answered that there question, and guess who was the editor’s pick… me!
Question of the Month
For our September Question of the Month, we asked: Marathon veterans, what last-minute advice would you offer someone who is preparing to take on the marathon for the first time?
Thank you to all our experienced marathoners for your helpful and insightful feedback! The marathon community is truly a special one where experienced runners jump at the opportunity to share their knowledge with others. This month’s editor’s pick comes from Neal in Glasgow, UK:
“There is only one piece of advice, and it’s an essential element to having a good marathon. Quite simply, ENJOY IT! You have to get into the whole event, not just the race. Make the most of the Expo. Get excited about buying new running kit that will proudly tell your friends that you ran the 2008 Chicago Marathon when you get home. Go and check out some of the race day course preparations, go and see the finish gantry. Imagine yourself running down the final straight, arms aloft in the time you want. Talk about it with anyone that will listen, and at night, sleep! Sleep with excitement, not with nerves. This is going to be one of the greatest days of your life! Yes it will hurt, yes there may be tears, but you will never forget completing your first marathon. So don’t worry about it, experience it for all it’s worth, and enjoy it!”
Now all I’ve got to do is follow my own ‘editor’s pick’ advice and return to Glasgow in a weeks time with a PB… wish me luck in the Windy City!
October 10, 2008 at 8:01 am
Congratulations on your fame!! Great answer as well.
Neal – I have a challenge for you if you are willing to accept it???
Can you run the first 5 miles of this marathon without looking at your watch at a pace which feels easy, keeping your breathing easy. I would love you to finish really strong but you can only do that if you can be really disciplined for those first 5 miles. Ditch the pacepusher tag for one race and see the difference it could make.
Anyway you and Caroline have a great race and I look forward to hearing all about it. I’ll be following your progress on the internet.
John
October 10, 2008 at 9:58 am
Ha ha. John’s so ambitious
Have a good run.
October 10, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Hi Mate,
I thought I’d have a look at your blog again just to see that you are still as committed as ever!!! Looks as though you are. I must admit that I forgot all about Chicago, so I am guessing you are on your way by now? Enjoy that fine Windy City, it was blooming freezing when we were there in 2006 but it is a wonderful place.
One question from reading your blog entries:- Is this really the same Neal Gibson that would drink copious amounts of local beer whilst in Cambodia and Vietnam in 2006? I am disappointed. You have two choices in life, you took the healthy option, I took the other one (hic!). Tennants shares must be seriously low at the moment???!!!????
Anyway have a good one. When you get back email over your home address again (I have lost it) and I will send you up a couple of CD’s that I have downloaded (legally of course).
See you soon.
Ju
October 10, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Good luck for Chicago to you and Caroline and enjoy your trip!
October 15, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Sound advice to the masses! Hope you got a sponsors tee shirt for your words of wisdom.
Look forward to reading your apres the race / benefit of hindsight observations on it all.
Murdo