Running Your First Marathon
Running Your First Marathon
By Eric Roberts, MarathonMethod.com contributor
Your first marathon is sure to be one of the greatest achievements of your lifetime, so be sure that you prepare properly and make it a positive experience all around. There are so many things to think about when running your first marathon, but I’ll give you ten of the more important ones.
The FIRST thing that you want to do is convince yourself that you can run a marathon. If you can do this, then it is likely that your first marathon won’t be your last. Being convinced that you can do something is half the battle. It’s the mental side, and depending on the person it can be the easiest or the hardest part.
Now that you’ve convinced yourself that you can run a marathon, you need to confirm it.
The second thing you need to do, and this is as important as the first, is to go see your healthcare provider. Tell them that you are convinced you can run a marathon, but before you run your first marathon or even start training for your first marathon you want them to assure you that your body is physically up to the challenge.
Now that you’ve confirmed it, the third thing you need to do is share it with your friends, family and co-workers. You want to get all the support you can for your first marathon (and all your future marathons). Some people think they want to keep their first marathon a secret, but having people know your goal of running your first marathon is a strong motivation to succeed when things get tough. Having people know your goal is to run your first marathon is also a great support mechanism; and you will need support as you reach for the goal of your first marathon.
The fourth thing to do is find a good running store to fit you with good running shoes. There is nothing like starting a first marathon training schedule and stopping because you have blisters. Of almost as much importance are the socks you put in your shoes; and the rest of the clothing you wear. You want to be comfortable, so you can focus on enjoying your first marathon and the training leading up to it.
Fifth on the list is finding a good training program. A good training program is VERY important for any marathon, but especially for your first marathon. You will find that most training programs last about 18 weeks, but that is assuming that you are already running sixteen to twenty miles a week. If this is your first marathon you probably are not running much at all. That means that training for your first marathon is going to take a bit longer than sixteen to eighteen weeks.
Sixth, start running slowly. When you can run five or six miles in one shot, you are probably ready to start the actual training program for your first marathon.
The seventh thing you can do is with your long training runs. Run on the course for your first marathon. If you can run the last couple miles of your first marathon course a couple times as part of your longer training runs, you’ll be ready for that last push of your first marathon when you are hitting the wall.
The eighth thing to do is remember to rest before your first marathon. You don’t want to run the day before your first marathon. Even if you take two days off before your first marathon you’ll be fine. Your body will be rejuvenated and ready for the challenge of your first marathon.
The ninth thing you can do is load-up on carbohydrates before your first marathon. It takes at least 36 hours for your body to process most foods. That means that you don’t want to eat an extraordinary amount right before the race, but rather an extra portion of rice or past with meals in the days leading up to the race. Eat a normal amount the day before your first marathon.
The tenth thing, may seem obvious. When training for your first marathon hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. That said, you don’t want to drink too much water right before you run. Drink when you are thirsty and try to drink four to eight ounces at a time.
Well there are ten tips, to help you run your first marathon. Good luck!
