How to Train for a Marathon

Exercising for a Marathon

A marathon isn't something that should be set up with short notice, especially for newer runners. Instead, pick one and register at least half a year in advance. This gives you ample time to begin preparing on a comfortable schedule. You can start off easing into the routine if it's totally new to you, and ramp up as the day of the marathon approaches.

Starting your running sessions early and repeating them often is key to completing a marathon without feeling completely beaten. Your goal is to steadily increase the time you spend running, until your body is a lean, conditioned running machine. The first milestone to overcome is running at a higher pace for longer periods of time than you may be used to.

Begin by setting aside time once or twice per week to run for thirty minutes. Slow your pace only when it's absolutely necessary, and try not to stop altogether. Doing this allows you to find a speed that's comfortable for you that you can raise each time.

As the marathon approaches, ramp up to running further distances at least three or four times per week. Take the recovery days seriously, though, since these are crucial times for your body to replenish its willpower and strengthen itself without breaking down. A couple weeks before the marathon, it's best to run only once or twice per week, allowing your muscles to be trained but well-rested before the big day.

Eating While Training

Nobody would be able to compete in a marathon without the right supplies. Once you've committed to a run, start eating a diet that's almost two-thirds complex carbohydrates. These substances are broken down into the main drivers of energy needed to fuel your training, while the rest comes from a mixture of unsaturated fats and about ten percent protein.

Hydration should be followed just as religiously. Drink as much water as your body can handle before, during, and after exercise, and maintain just as much on recovery days.

Staying Motivated to Run

Finally, keeping your spirits high holds the other two elements in check. Try setting reasonable but uplifting targets during your training sessions. As long as you're going further distances in less time in each successive session, the results alone should be enough to give you the psychological upswing needed to go all the way through your first marathon and beyond.

With a structured training program, you can conquer what might seem like an insurmountable challenge. A long view toward completing a marathon is needed. There are no shortcuts to developing the skills and mindset necessary for success, but getting through your first competitive run will give you tremendous physical and psychological rewards that speak for themselves.