So, you want to run your first marathon?

Are you ready to run your first marathon?

Perhaps this has always been a goal for you but you aren’t sure if you are ready to commit to that big 26.2. Or maybe a friend has asked you to run with them, and you want to say yes but feel a bit daunted by the challenge.

If so, then read on to help you decide if you are ready for that marathon challenge.

Define your “why”

First off, why do you want to run a marathon?

Is it something you’ve always wanted to do? Perhaps you have a race in mind you’ve always wanted to run. Or maybe you’ve been asked to join a team to raise money for a charity. Or maybe it’s the challenge of pushing yourself a bit further that excites you.

Training for a marathon takes time, it takes commitment, and knowing why you are running can really help to motivate you when the training gets tough.

And just remember, that just because you run doesn’t mean you have to run a marathon! You are still a runner no matter the distance you run. So, if you ask yourself why, and the only reason is because you feel you ought to, then you have my permission not to run one!

What are you running now?

This is a great time to think about your current running routine and if you are ready for marathon training.

Do you run consistently every week? How long are your longest runs? Have you recently ran a half marathon distance?

All these questions will help you to decide if you are ready to start training now, or if you need to focus on building a foundation of consistent running before heading into marathon training.

The average length of a marathon training plan is between 16-20 weeks. But there is a lot you can do before that focused training period to get you in the best shape for training.

Do you have time to train for a marathon?

Running a marathon isn’t just about race day.

It’s about those 16-20 weeks of training beforehand. You need this time to help your body get stronger and adapt to running longer distances.

When training for your first marathon, you need to run at least 3 times a week. Your long runs are likely to be between 1.5-3.5 hours. And even your shorter mid week runs might be up to an hour.

To make sure you build the strength and stamina needed to run a marathon, your plan should also include strength training and cross training.

And then you need to recover well. Which means having time to rest and to sleep.

Be realistic. Do you have time, or can you make time, to fit in this training?

 

And if you think you are ready to train for your first marathon then why not join me on Saturday 12^th October 2024 for my “So, you want to run a marathon” webinar.

I will be talking in more depth about training, how to stay motivated, and ways to balance your busy life with marathon prep.

Book your place here https://coachnicola.as.me/marathonwebinar