Nearly everyone has a bucket list. Whether you one day plan on traveling the world or retire at an early age, you may have goals you want to accomplish before it’s too late.
If you’re one of the 55% of Americans who want to accomplish health or athletic-related goals, you’re in luck! Running your first marathon is a great way to get in shape while crossing an accomplishment off your list.
If you want to run a marathon but aren’t sure where to start, keep reading for some of the best tips and tricks to help you conquer 26.2 miles.
Create Your Plan
Before you can start, it’s essential to know that you’re not going to be able to run a marathon after only a week.
There are plenty of online resources to help you achieve your goals, whether you haven’t run since high school or the most you’ve done is a 5K. You can also find plenty of running advice to help you make the most of your journey.
Most plans have paced training sessions to help you build endurance. Unlike short races, your goal should be to finish the marathon instead of winning the race.
Track Progress
You’ll also want to keep track of how often you run, the distance, and your pace. This provides valuable insight into your patterns as you run while also uncovering the areas you need to practice.
For example, you may find yourself struggling to get uphill at a decent pace while your rough terrain pace is improving.
Find a Race
This is a unique step as it can either be the first or third step in your journey to becoming a marathon runner. However, signing up for a race is the most crucial step in achieving your goals, as it provides the place to run!
You may choose to sign up for the race to help motivate you to start your training. However, you may want to begin your training first, as this will provide you ample time to get the hang of running.
Invest in the Right Gear
Finally, you’ll want to prepare yourself for marathon race day. This includes learning how to prevent chafing, the best shoes to run in, and the easiest packs to carry with you.
While marathons provide hydration stations, keeping a pack with you can help hold you over. You’ll also want to wear sweat-wicking clothes to keep you comfortable while running.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure you have good-quality headphones (if they are allowed) to keep you company while you run.
Run Your First Marathon With These Tips
Remember, it’s crucial to listen to your body. Though you may feel like following your training plan to the letter, if you need an extra week to stay at your current pace, don’t be afraid to do so!
Running your first marathon is a massive achievement. Don’t beat yourself up if your time isn’t what you expected. Focus on crossing the finish line!
If you found this marathon help informative, you’ll want to check out the rest of our website. There, you’ll find more great lifestyle tips and tricks.
