Twin Cities Marathon Signup Begins

In honor of the first day to sign up for the Twin Cities Marathon, I decided to write an email to a friend who is signing up for the their first marathon today. I know it's not very well written, but I just jotted a few ideas down.

I was thinking about this as I was falling asleep last night... "What advice can I give someone running their first marathon?" I was just kinda thinking about the first time I ran Twin Cities (G'mas doesn't count) and how much fun it was and still is for me. I was quite sad watching the race last year. I really missed not running TCM.

The most important thing is to enjoy everything about it. I've always went to the sign up party. It really makes it real, especially compared to filling out a form online. You have to buy the "In training" shirt too. It's fun running around the lakes wearing the shirt and people wishing you luck, talk about running and all the other fun stuff. I always make sure to wish people luck when I see them with it on.

Another thing, do some tune up races, like the City of Lakes 25k and one of the White Bear 20 milers. Why run that far alone and not get a t-shirt??? I always think the 20 mile run is the worst. You're out there for hours suffering and you get absolutely nothing. Whatever you do, do not do the Woodbury Country Mile Half Marathon (that's a mouthful), it will ruin any confidence you have. Try out the Urban Wildland in Richfield. It's one of my favorite half's. You're working so hard in training for the marathon that you might as well put the training to use.

Oh, get a couple massages throughout the summer. This will help alleviate the pains of training, plus they feel really good. Get a new running outfit for the race. You want to look good in the finishing photo, that I know you're going to buy.

Keep with your training. I guarantee it will make the race a lot more fun. Remember when you get tired in the race to high five the kids. It's something Sean and I do. No matter how bad we feel, it makes it so much better when you smile and have fun with the crowd. The people will simply amaze you.

Anyways those were just some random thoughts I had. Remember this is your first marathon, you'll never have another first like it.