Tips For A Successful Rock ‘N’ Roll San Diego Marathon
- By Matt Fitzgerald
- Published May. 25, 2009
- Updated May. 28, 2009 at 12:10 PM UTC
5. Prepare for rising temperatures
The air temperature is likely to rise at least 10 degrees while you’re running, so dress appropriately. Many runners overdress for marathons anyway. You should feel slightly uncomfortably cool before you start, because once you’re running your body will generate a lot of heat, such that, if you’re comfortable before you start, you will probably find yourself too hot mid-race. You could always wear two layers on top and remove one as you warm up, but then you’re stuck carrying it, which is a pain in the butt.
Look at how the really skinny men and women with one- and two-digit race numbers in the elite corral are dressed. If you’re wearing much more than they are, you’re wearing too much.
6. Run smart on the 163
The biggest challenge that the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon course presents is the big hill on Route 163. The challenge consists not only in running uphill but in running downhill as well. When running up the hill, relax and control your effort. You’re less than 9 miles into the race. There’s a long way to go. Sure, you could easily run faster here, but if you did, you might blow up at mile 20.
It’s also important that you control yourself when running down the backside of that same hill. Running fast down a steep descent administers a tremendous pounding to the legs that could come back to haunt you later. To minimize this potential danger, listen to the sound of your foot strikes on the road and try to make them as quiet as possible. The quieter your foot strikes are, the less pounding your legs are absorbing.
7. Use the music!
The bands along the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon course are not just entertainment; they’re useful! Music is proven to have a beneficial effect on exercise performance, so give your full aural attention to the performers as you pass each bandstand on the route. The event organizers do a great job of choosing acts to perform on race morning, and some of them are so good, you may be tempted to stop and listen to them for a while. But that might be going a bit too far!
Pages: 1 2 3FILED UNDER: Features TAGS: San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
