Shoes: Trail shoes are a good thing to wear for the ADTM although a good running shoe that is comfortable for you is the best shoe. You should run at least two weeks in your shoes (if they are brand new) before the marathon, and doing one of your long runs in them isn't such a bad idea either. Check with the Colorado Running Company for the latest in trail running shoes.

Drink the Drink: Practice with the items that will be offered and learn if your stomach will tolerate them. If you can't tolerate what is offered, you may want to carry a bottle of your own drink or gel products, and use the aid stations for water only. The ADTM will have Gatorade, gels, and fruit. Learn to drink from paper cups. Squeezing the top of the cup so that it's nearly flat will keep water from splashing all over your face (and up your nose). A good strategy might be to walk through the each aid station to ensure you get properly hydrated. And always take a sip out of a cup before you pour it over your head - if it's not water, you'll be a sticky mess for the rest of your marathon.

Plan Ahead: Take time before the marathon to learn where the aid stations will be located. The ADTM will have aid stations at two mile intervals; after Mile 20, every one mile intervals.

Dress Rehearsal: Do your last long run in the clothes you plan to wear on race day. If your clothes or socks cause chaffing, it's better to find out now than on race day. Regarding socks, some runners wear them turned out. Thus, the seams are against the shoe rather than your skin. Also, wash the socks before the marathon. This eliminates in white powder residue the maker sometimes puts into them to make them look brilliantly white.

Taper: A good rule of thumb is to cut your mileage in half over the last two weeks before the marathon. The reduced mileage should leave you feeling fresh and rested before the marathon.

Stick to the Plan: If you've done your training, then the first few miles of the marathon are going to feel awfully slow. That's a good thing! Runners will lose 300 feet in the first three miles of the ADTM course. The temptation to pick up the pace early in the marathon is a bad thing. Experienced marathoners know the race does not begin until the last 6 miles. Proper pacing early on is a key to a successful marathon.

Lube: Vaseline is a valuable pre-race tool. Lube up any potential hot-spots, like your toes or heels, nipples, arm pits, between the legs, wherever you get blisters or chafing. And by the way, don't forget to trim those toenails. The ADTM will have Vaseline jars at the start, selected aid stations on the course, and at the finish.

Carbo/Hydrate: One week before the marathon is a good time to start hydrating and increasing the amount of carbohydrates your consuming. Cease carbo-loading about 12 hours before the marathon. Eat a light meal early on race morning giving yourself plenty of time for it to digest. Remember, race morning nerves will slow digestion.

Rest: Lie around or stay off your feet as much as possible the day before your marathon. Feeling rested at the start is very important to a successful marathon.

Altitude: Running at altitude (above 5,000 feet) causes you to dehydrate much quicker than at a lower altitude. Also, sea level runners will notice that they don't seem to be sweating as much. This is due to Colorado's lower humidity. Therefore, take plenty of fluids at the aid stations even if you don't feel thirsty. Another thing, marathoners can sunburn more easily at altitude because of the thinner air. The ADTM will have sun screen available at selected aid stations along the course, but not at the start. Please apply your own sunscreen at the start.

HAVE FUN! We hope that your doing this marathon because of the challenges and rewards to yourself. So go ahead and have some big time fun.

Remember, your runner T-shirt says the same thing as the first place finisher's. We don't put age divisions, times, or finish places on our shirts. Each participant is a winner!