There are many reasons to run a marathon. Maybe you want to crush your fitness goals. A friend talked you into it, or you’re trying to raise awareness for a charity.
Either way, you’re going to have to prepare yourself. If you don’t, that finish line is going to feel as if it’s across the country from you on the day of the event.
We can tell you the secret to getting through your first marathon training, so the impact it has on your body isn’t too severe. Check out this guide to learn what you need to do to make your running goals a reality.
Decide on Your Goals
One of the most important marathon tips we have for you is to set a goal. If you don’t have anything to shoot for during the day of the run, you’re never going to see that finish line.
Besides, knowing what you want out of the marathon will help you in your training endeavors. For example, let’s say that your goal is to finish up the run within a certain period of time.
You can do some quick math to find out how much you’re going to have to pace yourself to make it within your desired time frame. You can plan your training from there.
Buy the Right Gear
You’re not going to be able to make it through the marathon with those old ratty sneakers you’ve been meaning to throw out. If you don’t already have a good pair of running shoes, you need to go buy some.
Head to the shoe store and let the clerk know that you need a pair of sneakers that can carry you through a marathon. They’ll be able to make some suggestions that will suit your needs.
Train Your Body
Now that you’re all geared up, it’s time to start training your body to go the distance! We recommend going out on a run at least 4-5 times every week. Two of these runs should be a little slower-paced than the others.
You’ll focus more on distance than anything else. Try to pace yourself a little more each week until you can run 20 miles without breaking a sweat. If you’re having trouble getting yourself motivated, check out these benefits of joining a running group.
Stay Fueled Up
When you’re running over 30 miles every week, you’re going to start burning through calories. If you don’t stay fueled up, you’re going to make yourself sick.
This is especially true during your runs. You can’t go for almost an hour straight without putting some nutrients in your body. For quick fuel, buy a few calorie gel packs.
They don’t act as a meal replacement by any means, but they will help you stay energized until you can get your hands on some actual food.
Get Prepared for Your First Marathon
As you can see, you’ve got to do a lot of prep work before you run your first marathon. If you don’t train your body the right way, you’re not going to be able to make it through the entire event.
Remember to pace yourself and pack plenty of fuel to keep yourself going strong until you hit that finish line. For more tips that will help you with your marathon training, visit the Health section of our blog.
