From buying comfortable trainers to planning a mile-by-mile strategy, the further ahead you make preparations, the more chance you’ll have of fulfilling your ambitions for the race. Read on to learn more about preparing for a marathon.

Marathon Running: Advice for Beginners

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realise the chances of achieving a respectable marathon time will be greatly enhanced by getting those all-important training hours in. Many people running their first marathon fail to grasp how much training is needed simply to stand of chance of completing the course.

It’s all very well in the early stages of training to cover short distances on a daily basis to boost initial fitness levels, but as months pass and the day of the marathon draws near, first time runners should switch his focus towards stamina running to soften the potential culture shock of tackling a 26.2 mile course.

Search around for 10km and half marathon races in your local region as they will prove a bellwether of your progress, indicating how your training methods could be adapted to suit the demands of marathon running. Naturally, the prospect of training can start to grare, so the rest periods before and after a test race will also be a welcome incentive.

Whilst these smaller scale races won’t match the gruelling experience of races such as the London Marathon and Brighton Marathon, they will at least give you a level of experience of the unique nature of stamina running. However, it is important to bear in mind that nothing in a half marathon will come close to the strain of the last few miles of a full race, so remember on the day pacing yourself to last the distance will be all important.

Any first time marathon runner will be able to find tips from various sources on the most appropriate running kit and shoes to invest in, but comfort should always be a determining factor. It’s best to opt for lightweight shoes and trainers as sweat can cause clothing to stick and chafe, which could have a negative impact the mental side of your running as you focus on reaching the finish line.

Finally, bear in mind the gradient of the route as this should impact on your training plan. Some marathons are flat, whilst others will separate the men from the boys by moving uphill, so make sure your training is adjusted to give yourself the best possible preparation.

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Even experienced athletes can find the extra miles posed by an endurance race too much to handle; memories of Paula Radcliffe’s Olympic breakdown in the 2004 Athens Marathon are testament to that. If, after mulling everything over, the prospect of an endurance race is still tempting, it’ll be time to turn your attention towards setting up a workable training programme that will go some way to ensuring you achieve your goals. Read on to find more endurance running tips.

Running an Endurance Race: Top Tips

First of all, it’s important to remember that not all endurance races (10 milers, half marathons, marathons etc) are the same. Races in major cities tend to be flat, such as the London Marathon, whilst others will be harder on the legs as they move up and downhill, as with Brighton and the Great North Run.

Secondly, scheduling an endurance training programme is a delicate balancing act, as you’ll need to clock up running hours to build up stamina for the event without pushing so hard that an injury flairs up to leave your dreams of completing the challenge in tatters. That’s where discipline and good organisation will be all important. Consult reliable running websites and experienced runners in your local area for helpful training tips, as they will help to point you in the right direction as you start devising a realistic training programme.

The importance of understanding the limitations of your own body can’t be understated, particularly if you are going into the process with your fitness somewhat lacking. Take things step-by-step, as overexerting yourself in the first few sessions may disrupt a sensible training regime. Consistency is the most important aspect of training, so embrace a routine of exercising every other day, mixing up the type of session (hills, stamina, sprints) to stop boredom creeping in.

Don’t underestimate the necessity of rest days, as your body will need time to recuperate from the exertions of training sessions. Planning appropriate rests is particularly important in the weeks leading up to the big race, as you’ll need to reserve plenty of energy for the day itself should your goal to be record a credible time.

Finally, keep your diet in check, as it’s all too easy to offset all the hard work of training through poor nutrition or heavy drinking. Of course, there’s no harm in enjoying the occasional treat but that is what it should remain.

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Committing to an Exercise Routine: Helpful Advice

It’s all too easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of taking on a new exercise routine and hobby (running, swimming, sailing), and invest in the kit off outlets such as Mailspeed Marine only for the euphoria to disappear shortly afterwards when that initial burst of enthusiasm has started to wear thin.

The best way to stick to a healthy exercise regime in the long term is not to to be overly dramatic with your ambitions. Gradually build up your exercise regime step-by-step, and don’t get despondent if the first few weeks seem particularly gruelling. As the traditional saying goes ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’, so it’s always worth bearing in mind that you’re not going to become the next Usain Bolt overnight. Even if your first exercise sessions leave you out of breath after 15 minutes, persevere, and you’ll soon find things becoming a whole lot easier.

Despite the best of intentions, the monotony of exercise can often see your commitment to keeping fit fizzle out. Like any routine, running the same route or swimming the same amount of lengths at the same time every week can lead to boredom, so inject a touch of spontaneity into your routine as much as possible.

Mixing things up will help to keep boredom to a minimum, ensuring your enthusiasm for exercise doesn’t wane. Looking further down the line, the change in seasons can often be the opportune moment to change your exercise regime, so whilst playing tennis and long runs may be suitable for the summer months, the winter may be a good time to join a gym or an indoor swimming club where the weather can’t be treated as an excuse to put exercise on the backburner.

Try not to become entrenched with an exercise regime that’s firmly set in place, as it’s easy to feel guilty should you be forced to skip your regular exercise slot for one reason or another. The realities of family life and commitments often make the commitment to exercising at set times a challenge, but as long as you keep your week-to-week exercise schedule on an even keel, no harm will be done.

Finally, stop and assess your progress every couple of months. If one form of exercise simply isn’t working for you, explore other sports and hobbies, as the enjoyment factor will be hugely influential in determining the success or failure of your intention to turn over a (healthy) new leaf.

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The information entered would spell the difference between training journal and training log, which are two distinctly different things. Training journals are what their name implies. They are journals rather than logs, quite simply put. Mental health plays a big part here, as you document how your workout or exercise routine made you feel. They can reach a bit into some statistical information but this is normally saved for a training log.

Training logs are generally created of off some kind of a template. Here’s an example. For each day of your routine, you would enter some information. You could enter several types of information into your training log, including your daily weight, workout schedule and foods you ate on a certain day.

Entering information into both a journal and log are important in keeping track of your progress, so make sure you give enough time for both. Most people find it most convenient to combine both journal and log in one way or another. This gives them an easier time remembering to make their daily updates.

Monitoring Your Training Through Records

Recording your training works in the same way as a yearly sports annual does – it gives you statistical records you can look back on. If you need to plan something, this can come in very handy. For example to figure out what has worked for you and what hasn’t. It’s very useful for figuring out reasons for injuries or for times of burnout.

Have you ever sat down and tried to plan out training with nothing to work with? Having these records with you can help you plan for the next few days or weeks to come, and even help you move on to more hardcore and longer-lasting workouts, should your body be up to it.

Lastly, having a journal for record keeping purposes can keep you amused on your own time, as you reminisce on those early days of training.

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