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
I am getting so excited about this marathon too, and I’m not even the one running it! π I can’t wait to hear all about it afterwards!
There goes a brownie!
I really loved the quote you had on here a few days ago.
“You run like a girl.”
“Thank you.”
Or some other fun ones are:
“Channel your inner Kenyan.”
“Run faster, Chuck Norris is behind you.”
“You are stronger than you think.”
I have loved reading about your whole marathon process, and I know you and Mal will do great!! π
Hi Tina,
Just wanted to wish you the best of luck! You will do great π
Don’t forget to have fun!
It should say “Marathon V-Card expired today!” lol!!
I would put: “26.2 Easy”
Good luck!! Your going to do great!!!
Put your blog on your shirt, too!
I was just biking through the stadium lots yesterday where they are setting up the finish area. What a great place to finish by the lake and on the ASU campus! The weather is great right now too. Good luck and have fun!
Good luck, and have fun!
I would put Carrots ‘N’ Cake on the back!
” [check mark symbol] Life Long Goal #42″
I agree with Wendy. Carrots N’ Cake would be perfect!!
Have a wodnerful time!!! Cant wait to hear all about it π
“will run for carrots n cake”
or a picture of murphy…cute dogs erase pain!
I think you should advertise the blog. Who knows, you may be running with some readers!
I agree that you should put carrots ‘n’ cake on your shirt!
Good luck! Thanks for taking us with you through your training. π
“Running on Carrots ‘n Cake!”
π
Have a great time!!!
I just wanted to wish you GOOD LUCK!! I read your blog daily and I am very excited for you and your first marathon! I hope it is a great experience. I just started training for Boston (My first) with Miles for Miralces at Children’s Hospital Boston. Can’t wait.
Have fun and good luck to you and Mal.
Kelli
M and m RULE! Good luck and have a safe trip!
Ahhh it’s so close! I don’t doubt you’re unbelieavably excited! You’ve trained so hard!!
My favorite marathon advice is “run the first half as slow as you can and the second half any way you can” (I only followed the second half of that advice for my first, whoops!). Anyway, best of luck and most importantly have a ball!
That’s awesome about the marathon, you’ll rock it! Great pre-race breakfast, I need to try that as an alternative to a smoothie. Hmmm, so many possibilities for the wording – I put “veg powered” on my bib for an upcoming half marathon.
That marathon sounds like a blast! I love that it has tons of live music stages to keep you pumped up. π
I can’t wait for the recap! Good luck!
Good luck!!! Can’t wait to hear the recap π
Awww, that’s one of my favourite photos of Murphy ever! Cutest little wrinkly face…
“will run for dessert!”- GOOD LUCK you will do awesome!!!
Put your blog name & URL!
I have never been tempted in the tiniest bit to run a half or full marathon until reading this post and the description above. That sounds like a fun run and your energy towards the entire thing is infectious! Can’t wait to see how awesome you do!
GOOD LUCK! It’s been so fun following your training for the race. Love that you and Mal are running it together. You’re going to be amazing! Already looking forward to reading the recap.
cannot wait to hear about yours and mal’s race!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I saw a shirt the other day that said “I thought they said rum” :-)). It brought a smile to my face and it would fit the party atmosphere. Have a wonderful time.
Good luck – you could put the following on your t-shirts:
– Running past you since 5 minutes ago
– Follow me at carrotsncake.com
– ROARPOWER
– I run and I write: carrotsncake.com
Shari from http://www.goodfoodweek.blogspot.com
OMG, you should put “It’s my FIRST TIME”….or any other virgin joke!
It should say: Popping My Marathon Cherry!
Hehe
P.S. As a volunteer, I’m assigned to one of the cheering stations for the half-marathon course, but after I’m done I’m planning on heading towards the full marathon course so maybe I’ll see you!!!
Carrots ‘n’ Cake on the back!
Good luck Tina! I ran the ING half marathon in Philly and it was a blast. You’ll have to much fun and do great π Good luck!
Can’t believe it’s already here! GOOD LUCK!! You guys are gonna rock it!
Either something about racing to Beer and Dessert
Or checking off life goal.