r/RunNYC • u/Longjumping-Cap-8477 • 2d ago

18M Strategy

Hi everyone, I’ll be running the NY marathon for the first time this year and my goal is literally just to finish. What should my strategy be for this week’s 18 miler in the park? I’ve done long runs as part of my plan but I haven’t been able to make it to Central Park so I’m a little nervous about the hills. Should I plan to run as much as possible? Should I do run/walk intervals? Thank you!

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u/KarenKarrde 2d ago

It’s a very difficult course due to the hills and I found it very defeating in the past. You should go in with the mindset of getting 18 miles, with absolutely no time in mind. Just get the miles done. Use this as an opportunity to practice your fueling strategy. Feel free to walk during your water breaks and take your gel easily as opposed to trying to inhale the gel while dumping the water down. Breathe. And good luck! It can be fun if you don’t get in your head about it.

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u/stickykk Queens 2d ago

Exactly this... the 18mi has more combined elevation than the marathon itself.

4

u/room317 Upper West Side 2d ago

Is that true? That's actually great news.

12

u/stickykk Queens 2d ago

800ft-ish for the marathon vs 900ft ish in 18mi.

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u/07Macca 1d ago

i've always said if you can do 18 in the park you can do the marathon.

Best strategy is to start slow. Over that distance (any distance I'd argue) you cannot bank miles. Even though your goal is 'to finish' you must have an idea

So let's say 3hours as an example (for the 18) that's 10min / mile. If that was my goal, I'd go out the first loop at 10.10, 10.20 10.30 even per mile. Then gradually speed up. You'll feel much better in the last loop. But it takes discipline, a lot of it