How To Train For A Marathon
Whether you are an avid runner, ready to take on a new challenge or someone looking for a big goal to achieve, there are many reasons why you may decide to run a marathon in 2020.
Regardless of whether you cross that finish line like a superhero or crawling on hands and knees; completing a marathon gives you bragging rights for years to come. There is a reason that thousands of people run marathon after marathon and there is nothing to stop you joining them in 2020.
It is a myth that you have to be a running superstar before you qualify for a marathon. Yes, it is helpful to have some running experience, but with the right training plan, you can be ready within 20 weeks.
There are a multitude of marathon training plans available to help you cross that finish line, catered to your running ability. However, the physical aspects of running are just one corner of the marathon training pyramid you will need to rely on for success; albeit an extremely important corner.
In this new series we outline three factors of marathon preparation that, when linked together, greatly increase your chances of success.
The Marathon Training Pyramid
Regardless of whether you are a novice or a seasoned runner, there are three fundamentals that must be adhered to, if you are going to be successful in any athletic events you participate in.
In addition to training your body to endure the 26.2 miles, fueling your body with the right foods and mentally preparing yourself for the challenge are two additional cornerstones essential for marathon success. However, these fundamental aspects of training are often overlooked.
Over the next three blog posts, we will explain what makes these factors so important and how you can harness their power to become a running superstar.
These posts will cover:
How to train for a marathon (physically)
The most fundamental aspect of training for a marathon is, of course, the physical training. The next blog post in this series will cover everything you need to know to physically prepare for your running adventure, including:
- How often you should run
- Comparing marathon training on a treadmill to road training
- The art of pacing
and more.
How to train for a marathon (nutrition)
A lot of attention is placed on fuelling your body correctly the night before, during and after the marathon, but your nutrition should start on day one of your training. Different foods affect people in a variety of ways. What works for your friend might not necessarily work for you, so it is important to get things right early on.
The nutrition post in our marathon series will cover:
- How much fuel is the right amount
- How to maintain your energy on longer runs
- An insight into how your relationship with food might change during training etc.
How to train for a marathon (mentally)
The final piece in our marathon training series and the final (yet equally important) cornerstone of our marathon training pyramid is the mental preparation required to master your running.
This post will look into:
- The art of naming your fears
- Making sure your inner monologue is realistic
- Visualisations
and more.
Once you understand the pyramid you can attack your training with confidence. Running a marathon is a complex, sometimes difficult journey, but the experience of crossing that finish line and the high you will feel makes it more than worthwhile.
Keep your eyes peeled for the next post in our series and best of luck with your training!
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