Race Veterans Offer Advice to First-Timers

Many of the participants in the City of Los Angeles Marathon, bike tour and 5K run/walk on March 14 and the senior walk on March 13 will be novices. Here is advice for beginners from those who have been there, done that.

Runners and Walkers:

“Layer clothing. On top, wear something you can toss, like an old sweatshirt or even a trash bag.

“When going around a corner, align yourself at the outside of the turn rather than the inside. It’s easier to trip on the inside, because the crowd tends to push into the corner. Consider the race a 20-mile race followed by a six-mile race. There’s no reason to push yourself the first 20 miles.”

--Dr. Steven Simons, 50, 13-time L.A. marathoner; medical commissioner of the L.A. Marathon; Beverly Hills internist and pulmonologist

“Carry Tylenol in your fanny pack. Know that the last six miles, you’ll want to kill yourself.”

--Priscilla Franklin, 46, Ventura, who walked the marathon last year and raised $5,000 for charity

Wheelchair Competitors:

“Hand protection is important. Use special racing gloves or any other kind of gloves.”

--Jeremy NC Newman, 31, Reseda, personal trainer and wheelchair competitor

Cyclists:

“Remember, the bike tour is not a race. Don’t rush. Two and a half hours is a reasonable time.”

--Isaac Simons, 17, Santa Monica, cyclist and bike tour veteran

“Take two water bottles. Fill one with a sports drink and the other with water. Alternate sips every 15 minutes. . . . Take in some solid food along the way--bananas, grapes, fig bars, energy bars.”

--Fred Matheny, 53, Montrose, Colo., veteran cyclist, and training and fitness editor, Bicycling magazine