1 month or less marathon plan

[gcanyon]

Goal:
I'm not looking to set records... just want to finish. A 2:30 pace seems like a reasonable goal, but I don't want to be overly optimistic. I'm also hoping to get my bp under control while training. Once I complete the marathon, I am going to go for my original sub40 10k goal.

I'd appreciate any advice.

Well, my experience may not be typical, but here it is: I got my concept 2 on December 11. I rowed my first (and so far only) marathon on January 28, about six weeks later. Before I got the concept 2 I was basically sedentary. I'm 42, 6'4", and 185 pounds.

Pretty much I just sat down one night with a couple movies ready to go, and started rowing. I wasn't necessarily expecting to finish -- I would have stopped at any point if I didn't feel well. I got off several times to go get a glass of milk, hit the bathroom, etc.

My pace ended up at 2:38. That's 03:41:48.9, good enough for nearly last place in my age/weight group. But there are only 75 Male HW 40-49 year olds worldwide so far who have completed a marathon, so I'm not terribly concerned

So, summing up:

-- If you're in reasonable shape, don't worry too much, just sit down and row.
-- Have entertainment on hand. Three hours doesn't seem so long when you're watching things blow up
-- Take breaks. As many as you need. If the goal is to finish, remember that, and work towards finishing rather than any set pace.
-- Stay hydrated

Oh, one other thing: way back when I rode a bicycle 120 miles in a day. The farthest I had ridden previously was 60 miles. I remember very well hitting the 60 mile mark on that day and thinking, "I have now ridden farther than I ever have before, and I'm only _half way there_." That was a tough thought to have. So the last advice I have is the same as the first:

-- Don't worry too much, don't psych yourself out, just row, and stay comfortable.

I should add as a postscript that I plan to do another marathon for the April Marathon challenge, and would like to turn in a sub - 3:15:00 time. We'll see...

[TomR]

Johnnybike, Rick Bayko and anyone else who is experienced at long distance stuff--

If I ever am fool enough to attempt a marathon, how often should I take in fluid/carbohydrates?

Tom

[johnnybike]

Rick must be the man here Tom. I am upto 25K now and no drinks although I do have a handful of jelly babies (only because I like biting the heads off).

Funnily enough I take on very little liquid during any sort of event and don't actually drink much at any time apart from when I am having a few beers.

For my FM coming up soon I intend making up 2 500ml bottles of energy drink and getting one of the family to come into the garage every half hour and pour some into me. I honestly am more worried about dropping the split when drinking than I am about having a drink. I will have my jellies and maybe an energy gel if things are getting bad

But saying all the above I think you should take the chance of getting plenty of liquid inside you.

Come on Rick where are you? Probably looking for more pictures for the boobs thread on the UK forum (not as dirty old man as it sounds)

[TomR]

Johnny--

Thanx. Hadn't thought about cannibalizing jelly babies.

After the FM, which I expect you will breeze through, are you going sub-7? Your other times suggest that plum is ripe for the plucking.

Tom

[johnnybike]

Cheers Tom, I suppose I will one day. I like the solitude and rythmm that you can get when doing a long row. I really like doing 40' pieces and trying to hold my HR very steady. None of that fits in with 2K training really.

I am reasonably certain I have all the components that will get me sub 7 bar the desire at the moment. I think when (not if ) I go sub 18:30 for 5K then that might be the boost I need but a low HM or any FM is much more desirable in my book.

[TomR]

Johnnyb--

For what it's worth, my 5k pb is 18.38+, set about a month before my one sub-7 row. So you're right, to do the deed, all you need is the motivation.

When you do your 40 min rows, holding HR stead, do you vary pace to maintain a constant HR? At what HR% do you do those rows?

Tom

[Yukon John]

Although our times are very similar Johnny B., we differ on the drinking (except I enjoy the beer too ) I sweat like a rain cloud so I need to replace the liquids. In one running marathon I lost 8 lbs and that was with drinking at the water holes. What worked for me when I did a rowing marathon back in November was to have a "Camelback" hanging on the wall next to me. Then during the recovery part of the stroke I'd stick the end in my mouth and I could take a few sips during the next few strokes. There is no rush in getting it down and didn't mess up my rythem. Then just spit the thing out when done. We have two camelbacks and I went through both of them (about 3 liters.) I finished the same weight as when I started!

By the way, best wishes on your marathon attempt!

[Citroen]

Johnnybike, Rick Bayko and anyone else who is experienced at long distance stuff--

If I ever am fool enough to attempt a marathon, how often should I take in fluid/carbohydrates?

Tom

When I rowed my first marathon in April 2005 (3:14:28.8) I printed an Excel spreadsheet with the splits at 4,200m intervals and stuck that to the wall where I could see it easily. Each interval I drank ~200mls of water. I had 50g PSP22 (sports drink) per 500ml water in the bottles. Each pause took about 20 seconds. (Handle down --> drink --> start rowing.)

I'm rowing HMs these day without stopping.

Like Yukon John I could enter the Beijing 2008 Olympics if they had a medal competition for sweating.

[DavidA]

I also sweat a lot! For anything up to a half-marathon I don't bother with drinks until I'm done, even if that isn't necessarily to best way to do things. For full marathon I also usually use a Camelback. I actually wear mine rather than hanging it nearby. It has never bothered me, i.e. no chafing, etc., but I know that for some that is an issue, so hanging one nearby is preferred by them.
I also have some food that I can easily grab. I like dried apricots. Banana is probably a good choice.
Good luck with your row!

David