Marathon Training Tips
For many people, running a marathon is a lifelong goal. It’s a great way to test your limits and prove to yourself that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. However, it’s no secret that running a marathon is a difficult task. If you don’t adequately prepare for it, you’ll have little hope of completing it. Today, we’re going to take a look at a few things you can do to prepare your body for this undertaking. Here are four ways to train for a marathon.
Work on Your Weekly Mileage
A marathon is over 26 miles long. Running a distance that long is a lot of work if you’ve never ran before. The first thing you want to do is get used to running longer distances throughout the week. You might start by running fifteen or twenty miles a week. By the time of the marathon, you’ll have worked up to fifty miles. Keep in mind that this is a gradual process. It’s recommended that you don’t increase your weekly mileage any more than ten percent on any given week. If you do more than that, you risk injuring yourself before the big race.
Practice Long Runs
A long run is a continuous run that lasts for several hours. You want to practice one of these once a week so you’re body can get used to running for long periods of time. While doing a long run, you want to run at a slow, leisurely pace. Again, you risk hurting yourself if you try to do too much at once. The goal here is not to push yourself to your utmost limit. The goal is to prepare your body for the upcoming marathon.
Take Time to Rest
Scientific studies have shown that the body needs proper rest in order to recover from a hard workout. Constantly pushing yourself as hard as you can everyday is not an efficient way to train. It’s best to alternate your harder training days with days that involve lighter, slower-paced runs. You might even consider taking a break from running altogether once or twice a week. Listen to your body, and don’t do more than it can handle.
Eat Right
Of course, eating right when you’re training for a marathon is common sense. But what should you eat? It’s recommended that you focus on meals that are high on carbs and low on fiber. You’ll also want to have something to eat during the run itself to keep your blood sugar levels up. Sports drinks and energy bars are usually enough to do the trick. Also, make sure you’re staying hydrated while you train. Keep in mind that the marathon itself will have hydration stations throughout the course.
Training for a marathon can be an arduous task. There may be times when you feel discouraged and tempted to give up. In these moments, it’s good to remind yourself what running a marathon means to you. It may be difficult, but with the right preparation, you can accomplish this goal.
