26.2 Tips from the New Orleans Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon

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In this podcast episode I bring you with me through every mile of this year’s New Orleans Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.

You will hear the sounds of the course, tips, and the chatter in my head that helped me get through the tough later miles. It’s the most unusual race recap we’ve ever put together.

Be sure to check out my pictures too!

The 2016 New Orleans Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon

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The Tips from the Course . . .

I brought my digital recorder along and shared a tip each mile (whatever came into my mind at the moment, nothing was premeditated). In the later miles it’s funny to see where my headspace was and what I had to tell myself. It was a warm day and I was definitely feeling the pain during the last six miles. Of course, it didn’t help that I went into this marathon under-trained due to laziness.

  1. Don’t start too fast!
  2. It’s awkward to talk to your digital recorder while running!
  3. Don’t fixate on your bladder.
  4. Run the tangents.
  5. It takes about 3-5 miles to finally settle into the run
  6. Practice preemptive electrolyte replenishment. I used Hammer Endurolytes.
  7. Drink to thirst.
  8. Watch your pace continually.
  9. Remember to have fun. You’re doing this for your health!
  10. Push out the negative thoughts!
  11. Run your own race.
  12. Stick to the shade
  13. Lie to yourself continually
  14. Shake out your arms and pay attention to your form
  15. The miles go by quick when you’re trying to think of tips!
  16. Have a really rocking playlist.
  17. Don’t overdress!
  18. Walking is just about as hard as running after mile 18.
  19. Forget that last tip. Taking a walk break feels good!
  20. Bring a snack and hold unto it until you need it.
  21. Pick the last six miles apart one mile at a time.
  22. Never run a marathon!
  23. Ignore that last tip.
  24. It hurts right now but pretty soon it will all be a dream.
  25. Make sure you know what mile it is!
  26. Push hard to a strong finish!

I’m glad to have finished my 11th marathon (2nd NOLA Marathon). This event attracted 3,640 full marathoners, 11,579 half marathoners, and 2,617 10k’ers.

I highly recommend this marathon for anyone looking for a flat, fun, and beautiful course in an amazing American city.

Bonus tip: Try the fried oysters, your life will never be the same!

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13 Responses to 26.2 Tips from the New Orleans Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon

  1. Franczeska Ostrander March 7, 2016 at 12:03 pm #

    Unbelievable podcast today! I am thrilled you did this – I am getting ready for my 9th marathon – in my 50 States quest, and you represented nearly everything I have experienced! Thanks you so very much!

    • Trevor Spencer March 15, 2016 at 11:32 am #

      Thanks for the love Franczeska, I’m glad you enjoyed this episode. Good luck on your 50 State quest!

  2. Kate March 8, 2016 at 3:43 pm #

    I just loved this podcast Trevor. It had me in giggles “Never run a marathon…” “ignore what I said last time”. Also had me in tears with the coldplay song at the end (music can be so emotive!!)

    I’m currently training for my second half marathon, and that seems far enough for now, but I now have this twinkle of desire to try a marathon ‘one day’.

    Thanks for all the good work you and Angie do!!

    • Trevor Spencer March 15, 2016 at 11:34 am #

      Thanks Kate! Every marathon I do reminds me how much I love half marathons.

  3. Mo Mittelstaedt March 11, 2016 at 11:01 am #

    I listened to this podcast while out on a run!! LOVED IT!!! Trevor, I love your sense of humor. I could relate to every mile and it was a brilliant idea to do the podcast this way. Thanks to you and Angie for supporting all types of runners. I look forward to every podcast.

    • Trevor Spencer March 15, 2016 at 11:34 am #

      That’s for leaving a comment Mo! We’ll keep the podcasts coming!

  4. Robert March 11, 2016 at 3:38 pm #

    Superb mile by mile account of your run Trevor, Loved it. As always an other brilliant pod. When you mentioned running by the lake of Ponchartrian it reminded me of this song from Heidrum. https://soundcloud.com/heidrum/lakes-of-ponchartrain.
    Give it a listen. Keep up the good work guys.

    • Trevor Spencer March 15, 2016 at 11:37 am #

      Thanks Robert! I’ve heard that song, by a different artist, on a Celtic music tape (I just dated myself by saying “tape”) I used to own. It’s a beautiful song.

  5. Adolfo Salgueiro March 23, 2016 at 7:55 am #

    I wasn’t sure about continuing to listen to the episode once you stated what you were going to do with the recap. As you went on, the more and more I was glad I kept listening. For someone that has been there seven times it was reminiscing of the great and the worst times of being in each one of those 26.2… Thank you for a memorable WFRR (World Famous Race Recap).

    Adolfo.

    • Trevor Spencer March 29, 2016 at 8:49 am #

      I’m glad you liked it!

  6. ricardo April 6, 2016 at 3:29 am #

    Brilliant!.

    Thanks Trevor for sharing your experience on live with us.
    You sad: the most bizarre episode ever” , but I think the only bizarre thing here was the funny pack.
    I hope you were carrying a US funny pack and not a UK one!!!

    Cheers

  7. ricardo April 6, 2016 at 5:01 am #

    OOPSS! IS FANNY PACK NOT FUNNY PACK

    • Trevor Spencer April 22, 2016 at 5:49 pm #

      No problem Ricardo. It looked like a FUNNY pack.

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