Tips for Running Your First Marathon

If you’re looking to participate in your first full marathon, and you’ve been running for a while, you know that it all comes down to the training and state of mind. Without the proper training, your body will give out on you, and without the proper state of mind your brain will give out. Both aspects have to be rock-solid and ready before making your way to the starting line or hoping to make it to the finish line.

Running your first marathon tips

If you need a bit of inspiration or aren’t quite sure how to round out your training regiment, here are five tips for running your first marathon.

1. Get a Good Training Plan

If you’re a bit lost as to where to start, or just want a training schedule with you in mind, and not the hardened marathon veteran, consider using a training schedule that helps make it all a breeze.

You’ll know exactly what to do, and if you follow these specialized schedules to a “T”, you’ll be perfectly in shape to run the marathon ahead of you. These regiments have not just been written up, but tested, so put some faith into them.

Don’t be fooled, just because they may sometimes recommend only a mile or two, with frequent walking, doesn’t mean you won’t be ready. You need to have your muscles built for that slow burn and build up for a marathon, it isn’t a sprint and isn’t all about pure running.

By following a schedule you’ll also have dedicated times to heal and rest up, which prevents you from pushing yourself too hard by accident and causing injury or unnecessary pain.

2. Find Like-Minded People

Sometimes all the difference is finding a supportive group of people, or individuals, that are in the same boat.

Not only will you be able to share tips or experiences, and gain new insight, but you’ll have someone who can understand the struggle and form comradery with. This definitely helps make the time fly by faster, and when you miss a run, you’re definitely going to be feeling guilty.

Having some form of obligation to someone, and not just yourself is a big help in keeping you to your regiment and not skipping out on days you might have otherwise decided to take off. You’re committed to your marathon, together, and that is a big help.

3. Bring the Right Gear

You are probably not surprised to hear this, but shoes make or break a run. The right kind of shoes make a world of difference and are a crucial piece of equipment.

Finding yourself the right pair of shoes designed for long distances is highly important and will help you be able to run for longer, and run at more of your ability, rather than be weighed down or be made uncomfortable halfway through a run.

This is only exacerbated in a marathon. The distances are longer, and every step counts, so if you feel heavy or in pain at 2/3rds of the way through, the odds of you finishing at the time you would normally be able to are drastically diminished.

The same could be said about socks, you should have a pair of socks that are equally comfortable and breathable, as to not provide any discomfort on a run. It truly cannot be stressed enough how much a proper pair of running shoe matter, but if you’ve ever worn a pair that just doesn’t cut it, you’ll know just how awful it can be to not pick for function.

4. Enjoy The Scenery

This tip is on here not just because you should be running slowly in a marathon to stay in good shape for the whole duration, but because the experiences and time you’re spending matter.

Remember that you are doing this for yourself and the people around you, so enjoy the scenery, be it through the city, and overpass, the sky, trees, you name it. The 7th or 8th mile of the run may be a magical experience for you, and if you’re keeping your head straight the whole way through, you aren’t actually experiencing the whole marathon.

The path that may seem long, contrived, and only chosen for its length, isn’t actually just a hurdle to overcome, but chosen because it has a solid set of environments to pass through. Taking it slow is not just great for your body, but allows for some mental breathing room, so soak up what is around you while you can.

5. Take it Slow

Endurance is more important than speed when it comes to running a marathon and you cannot build endurance in just a few days.

It can take months of training before you’re ready to run your first marathon so don’t push it and train your body in steps. Nutrition is also equally important, so be sure to follow a training plan that also provides tips on nutrition.

Moreover, be sure to get a good night’s sleep before the day of the marathon. A well-rested body is less prone to fatigue and marathon running is no easy feat.

Wrap-Up

All in all, hopefully, this list provided you with a bit of assistance on your way to starting and finishing your first marathon.

Only the absolute essentials were covered here, and if you follow each step well, you’ll realize first-hand why these aspects are at the top of the list when it comes to preparing for a marathon. The preparation, the footwear, and the experience all come together to form the marathon as a whole, not just the mileage.

The sooner you acknowledge that and enjoy it for what it is, the sooner you’ll be able to overcome your first marathon, and many others later.

As hard as it may be to run a full marathon, it is an experience no doubt. Not everyone may be able to complete a full marathon, but if you happen to be one of them that actually completes the race, then pat yourself on the back because you’ve just done something very few people are capable of!

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