Each time I walk a marathon, I learn something new. Each marathon has been better than the one before.
Don't shortcut the long training days and be sure to alternate between heavy mileage building weeks and easier weeks to give your body a chance to recuperate. There is no substitute for putting in the mileage you need on a sane schedule. Cramming it all into a few weeks beforehand does not train the muscles and sets you up for injury. Failing to train at long distance is a recipe for injury and failure. This year my training partners helped keep each other on track.
On my final long walks it was clear my shoes were worn out. The cushioning was gone and my feet were very tired by 18 miles. I switched two weeks before to a pair of the same model that I had worn casually but not for walks. I put in several 1-2 hour walks with them before the marathon. Their superior cushioning and support helped me remain leg pain-free throughout the marathon. The shoes you wear on marathon day should have 75-100 miles on them - worn in but not worn out.
One of my marathon buddies never blisters. My feet are only good for 18 miles before blistering, some years less than others. This year the blisters popped out on schedule but were in areas that didn't make me limp or change my stride. However, due to the shape of the toebox in the shoe model I'm wearing, I have a damaged toenail and may lose it for the first time ever. I'm switching to the newer model of shoe. Toenail trouble happens when your shoes are too small or confining.
The marathon announced they were using Ultima Replenisher as their on-course sports drink, and so I switched to using it in the weeks before the marathon on my long training walks. This is essential for you to learn whether their choice causes you any distress. I didn't like its taste vs. Powerade, but it didn't cause me any problems. During the marathon, I drank a cup of Ultima and a cup of water at every water stop.
However, Ultima Replenisher is low in calories, and I had previously relied on the Gatorade or Powerade to supply much of the carbs needed to maintain energy throughout the marathon. I cut up 1.5 Clif bars in bite size nuggets and put them in a ziplock bag. Opening a package while walking can drive you crazy. I also took Gatorade in my water bottle and a ziplock bag of Gatorade powder to make up more along the way to provide me more calories. This worked out very well, my energy was high.
I normally drink a 16 oz. glass of water and have a cup of coffee 2 hours before the marathon start. This year I cut that in half. As a result, I didn't need a restroom until Mile 9, but then had some weird symptoms - I may have risked a urinary tract infection from dehydration. I kept drinking throughout the marathon and never felt the symptoms of dehydration or hyponatremia. But unlike my usual pattern, I really never needed to use the restroom other than to sit and rest for 30 seconds.
I placed my cell phone as usual in the side pocket of my fanny pack. But it popped out in the first mile and the battery, back cover and phone went 3 directions. I reassembled it and it worked. I gave up on the fanny pack and stuck it in my bra. It was working still at Mile 22 when I got a call. But then the screen filled with condensation (bra sweat) and it stopped working at the critical finish time. Theater folks use a condom over gadgets to keep sweat from shorting them out.
I've fought iliotibial band friction syndrome for a year now with massage and stretching. But it still begins hurting by mile 7 and continues to mile 14 before, oddly, going away. I took 2 regular strength Aleve the night before the marathon and 2 the morning of the marathon. I walked leg pain-free for the first time in 18 months. I was afraid to mention it to my walking partners for fear of jinxing it. The nights afterward it didn't ache as usual after exercise.
I took a body rolling class from my massage therapist. It involves using a ball to give yourself a deep tissue massage and to stretch and elongate your muscles. I know that this, in addition to the Aleve, finally is letting me beat iliotibial band friction syndrome. Don't tell my massage therapist that it is a whole lot cheaper than getting massage!
For a few months, it looked like I would be walking the marathon solo again, as I did the first three times. I'm fine with that. But then Krista, Michael, and Will from my usual walking gang were able to marathon train with me. We all ended up registered and walking together. It was a great moment when Krista, who had lagged behind a few minutes by Mile 22, caught up to us at the final mile and we were able to walk across the finish line together.
