So, 2011 is the year that I am going to run my first marathon. And from what I hear, your first marathon is more than just a raceββit’s a story.
According to Runner’s World, to ensure that you have a good story to tell, you want toΒ choose a race with certain features:
- Excellent organization
- Likely chance of good weather
- Fan-friendly atmosphere
- Plenty of fluid stations
- Safe, well-marked, well-staffed course
Well, it seems like Mal and I (ok, Team In Training)Β picked a pretty awesome marathon to run! 
Runner’s World selected 10 marathonsββout of the nearly 400 held in the US each yearββthat cover these essential needs of a first-time marathoner. The Rock βΛN’ Roll Arizona Marathon is one of those special marathons! Check out what Runner’s World had to say about it:
“Do you think a marathon should also be a party?
Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon
Phoenix, January 16, 2011
Point-to-point, flat, urban, shuttle buses, kid’s run, music, pace teams
First marathons are about having funββyou can fret about time later. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series practically invented the 26.2-mile party. Today, there are nine RNR marathons, but we say go to Arizona. Here’s why: The half and full marathons have separate starts and different courses, reducing congestion. In addition to the 27 live-music stages that line the route, cheerleading squads add another layer of support for the nearly 8,000 marathoners (and 20,000 half-marathoners). The flat course hits Valley of the Sun hot spots, including the Camelback Corridor, where you run in the shadow of 2,700-foot Camelback Mountain, and the historic art district of Old Town Scottsdale. Arizona also gets high marks for organization, from the ease and quality of the expo to the efficiency of buses to the start. Celebrate afterward at the free concert.
I am so excited– and insanely nervous. I had the strangest dreams about the marathon last night. Bizarro. The anticipation is killing me! Let’s get this show on the road already!
Breakfast
This morning’s breakfast was one of my favorites: peanut butter and banana slices on a toasted English muffin. Can’t go wrong with it!
It’s also my pre-race breakfast (Mal’s too), so we’ll need to find a grocery store when we get to Phoenix to make sure we have our go-to breakfast for Sunday morning.
Also with breakfast: iced coffee!
I finished packing late last night. Mal did too, but it took him about 15 minutes.
Thanks to everyone’s helpful suggestions and reminders, I feel pretty confident about what I packed.
My marathon packing list:
- Sneakers
- Socks
- Shorts
- Running pants
- Tank top
- Sports bra X 2
- βThrow awayβΒ long-sleeve shirt
- Headband
- Hair elastics
- Garmin
- Garmin charger
- iPod
- iPod charger
- Headphones
- Spibelt
- Camera
- Chapstick
- Vanilla Bean Gu X 5
- Body glide
- Tiger TailΒ
- Race confirmation
- Hat
- Sunblock
- Safety pins
- Travel itinerary
Now that I’m all packed up, I’m spending the rest of the day with this guy:
For some reason, I’m having major separation anxiety about leaving him this time. Murphy usually stays with our good friend, so I’m not worried about his safety or happiness. She’s the best doggie sitter ever. I’m just going to miss him A LOT!
Question of the Day
How about a little brainstorming session this morning?
Mal and I are buying iron-on letters to put our names on our TNT shirts for the marathon. I plan to put my first name on the front, but I want to have something fun on the back too.
What should I put on my shirt?
P.S. I’m hosting a fun giveaway on Trading Up DowntownΒ today! It involves Lululemon and Larabars! π
149 Comments
“Be proud of yourself! I am.” on the back. π
And I ran the Rock n Roll Half Marathon in Philly and it was amazing. There were bands every mile, cheerleaders, and so much fun surrounding the race that it really made the whole experience. I can’t wait to hear your story!
Keep on Keeping On!
Good Luck this weekend! I cant wait to read about your first marathon experience!!!
One of the best laugh out loud shirts that I saw during my half ironman said… “Seemed like a great idea at the time”
That quote is hysterical!
“Keep Calm and Carry on”—always a favorite of mine π
Me too! π
Ahh good work packing! Can’t believe you did it π Good luck!!
Ah you are so close!
Have an amazing time! The weather there is PERFECT right now, I just left there yesterday to come home to a mountain of snow in Ohio. Phoenix was cool and in the 60’s – perfect for running!
So exciting! GOOD LUCK!
Good luck with everything! I can’t wait to read about everything and see pictures! π
Wow live bands on stages lining the route?? That sounds so cool!
I’d definitely put that it’s your first marathon, maybe “marathon virgin” as people will give you compliments and motivation the whole time!! It’s awesome and was one of my best ideas!
Good luck this weekend!!!! It’s definitely understandable that you’re gonna miss Murphy a lot. Just look at his cuuute face!!! Love him!
I know you will do well! You have definitely prepped for it! I am so excited for you!
Good luck Tina!! I hope you have a fabulous time and I can’t wait for the recap! π
Isn’t it so annoying how easy packing is for guys? My husband can pack for a week in 20 minutes!
I’d put a motivational saying on the back (if you can fit it!) Whatever goes through your head to get you through tough runs would be good!
so exciting!!
Name on the shirt is a MUST! When running Boston, my mom and I had “mother” and “daughter” on our shirts and people were yelling insane things at us the ENTIRE way, it was amazingly motivational!!
On the back you should put something you want other runners to say to you during the tough moments π
GOOD LUCK! I’m so excited to hear your story!
Yes! I agree with “something you want other runners to day during tough moments”
I feel that would be the best motivator to you and other runners.
Awesome packing list! You are ready to go!!!!
What to put on the back…I say
“I’m having the time of my life!”
Tina…The Tank and Mal…The Machine cause you’re running machines. And clearly I am lame, sorry. 8)
Something catchy that people will react to like 1st Time Marathoner Here! Then people will give you extra cheers!
The guys in my family pack really fast too, but they normally forget at least one important thing!
Good luck! So exciting to be close to finishing your first marathon!!
I did my 1st marathon at Disney in 2004 and had my name and the words “1st Marathon” on my singlet. THIS WAS PERFECT! So many people along the course cheered me on (by name) which helped tremendously. I felt like I had personal cheerleaders and I loved that/ needed that. It also was good that I had “1st marathon” on there, because they were all telling me things about how good it would feel when I crossed the line and that I was “going to do this” and being so supportive (I am seriously tearing up as I write– did not expect that one!). I really recommend something like that on there… The cheers not only came from the crowd, but other runners. They came along and really supported me and told me how well I was doing (even when I didn’t feel like I was doing great!). I saw a man with a shirt that said “100th marathon” and ran by him for a few miles knowing that if he could do that, I could do my 1st. Writing on shirts is so important. Good luck and my prayers are with you.
Sounds like a really fun marathon! Maybe on the back something like “If found, please call XXX-XXXX”? π Y’all are going to be awesome, can’t wait to hear all about it.
so exciting! wishing you the very best of luck and safe travels π
something about being “Dynamite” since your training team was ‘TNT’ :]
I just saw a comment that said “marathon virgin” I think that’s a great one. Good luck!
I’m getting pretty wound up for my marathon this weekend too! Great packing list. I will refer to it as I pack for mine tonight!
Question- are you bringing your camera with you during the race and taking pictures? I kind of want to, but think it’s going to annoy me. My parents are coming to spectate so I think I may just leave it with them and hope they get some good pictures…
Yep! I always bring a camera with me! π
I agree – letting people know it’s your first is a great way for other runners to help cheer you on! For my first full marathon, I was running with TNT in honor of my grandfather so I had a pic of us on the back. But for my first 1/2 marathon I wrote “Virgin” on the back. It was fun π
GOOD LUCK TINA AND MAL! I am so beyond excited for you both!
You are going to be amazing!!! π π π
You should put that this is your first marathon on your back! When I did that for my first 1/2 this past Saturday, I got a LOT of encouragement from other runners congratulating me! π
Good Luck! The weather will be awesome for you two! I live in Tucson and have run the Rock N’ Roll Half before. Take advantage of the great restaurants in downtown Tempe. Have a great race! Also, the Rock N’ Roll San Diego Marathon is a blast too… just in case you get hooked.
~Erica
Is Mal putting a quote on the back of his too? You could do “This is my first time” and he could do “That’s what she said” π I saw that somewhere and it made me laugh…
LOL!!!
I have been reading your blog for awhile now and am just starting to comment – I love your blog and good luck on your first marathon! It sounds like you picked a great one to run – I would probably pick the same. I am using you as my inspiration in my weight loss journey, and my goal to run a 5K! Good luck!
I’m so excited to read your recap! Good luck!
The weather is beautiful in AZ right now! You’re gonna love AZ Rock n’ Roll!
I have been reading your blog for while now but am just starting to comment. I love your blog! It looks like you picked a great marathon for your first – I would have picked the same one! I am using you as my inspiration to get healthy and be able to run my first 5K! Good luck in Phoenix!!!
Best of luck to you both! I know you’ll rock it. Eric Hutchinson has a song called “Rock & Roll”, there is part of the song that says:
“Cause if she wanna rock, she rocks
If she wanna roll, she rolls
She can roll with the punches
Long as she feels like she’s in control.”
I just thought it was an appropriate set of words…
Good luck! I know you will do great and it sounds like you picked an awesome first marathon!
I would put something about running for cake or something like that π
yay for choosing an awesome first marathon! π that description sounds amazing. i hate men for their stress-free packing ability. i always agonize over my suitcases and how i’m going to fit everything in. it’s not fair.
i think you should put something about it being your first marathon on your back!
Good luck to both of you!!
What about, “Murphy’s Mom”?! I’m sure he’ll be very proud.
Gaaaaah! I am so excited for you and Mal. You are going to have the time of your life. I drew a picture of Clark on the back of my singlet and someone asked if it was a rabbit… maybe you’re a better artist and give Murph some love on there? If nothing else, it’ll give fellow runners something to smile about. π Safe travels and best of luck– not that you need it, you are going to be INCREDIBLE! After all the training, you’ve earned it!
Good luck Tina! I know yall are gonna kick some a$$!
I love making shirts with iron-on letters. Hobby Lobby is one of my favorite places. Have fun! Be careful!
I’m so excited for both you and Mal! You guys are going to do amazing! That does sound like a great marathon to run for your first one.
“I Rock (and Roll)” on the back!
Good luck!
Safe travels!
I like “first timer” on the back of your shirt – people will stop and talk to you along the way I’m sure!
Definitely put your first name on your shirt to help people cheer for you. Something inspirational on the back will also be appreciated by those behind you. Safe travels!
Good luck this weekend! You’ll do awesome.. and enjoy the post-marathon high – that’s always my favorite part! Feeling on top of the world the week after the race.
good luck on Sunday! You’ve done all the hard work to get to this point, so enjoy the entire experience. And don’t do too much over the next few days so you’re exhausted when you get to the start line. Best wishes for a great race!!