Running Tips - Are You Ready To Run A Marathon?
A marathon is something that most runners have a dream of doing sometime during their lives.
It's a great goal and it is such a tremendous sense of accomplishment when you complete one.
But, it's not something that should be taken lightly.
It's 26.
2 miles - to get a good idea of how long that is - take off and drive that far.
And, you'll be out there running for 4, 5, 6 or more hours.
So, you need to know that you are ready to take the distance on.
The first thing that you need to consider is how long that you've been running.
Ideally, you should have been running at least a year before you think about running a marathon.
And, you need to be running at least 20 miles a week consistently before you start training for a marathon.
Even though it is possible if you have been running a shorter time to complete a marathon - it's better if your body is used to being a runner before you start.
You should also have run some shorter races before you take on a marathon.
In addition to 5K's and 10K's, you should complete at least a half-marathon or two.
Running a couple half-marathons will let you know that you have the commitment that you need to train for an endurance event.
Another major consideration is to decide if you have the time that you need to train.
It's a major commitment to be able to do the training needed to complete a marathon.
There are days where you will be running 3 - 4 hours at a time.
You need to be able to have the time available to do this.
A great thing to do is to sit down with your family in the front end of your training.
It is critical that you have the support of your family.
Tell them about your goal of running a marathon.
Also, let them know that you are going to need their support - in many ways.
You will need their support mentally.
In addition, you need to let them know of what your training will entail and that there are times where you will be out running for a few hours at a time.
There may be times that you will need their help in what you normally do around the house.
A marathon is a great goal - and one that I feel that if you are mentally as well as physically ready to take on, you will have no trouble in completing.
And, when you are finished - it will be such a great sense of accomplishment that you will take with you for a long, long time.
It's a great goal and it is such a tremendous sense of accomplishment when you complete one.
But, it's not something that should be taken lightly.
It's 26.
2 miles - to get a good idea of how long that is - take off and drive that far.
And, you'll be out there running for 4, 5, 6 or more hours.
So, you need to know that you are ready to take the distance on.
The first thing that you need to consider is how long that you've been running.
Ideally, you should have been running at least a year before you think about running a marathon.
And, you need to be running at least 20 miles a week consistently before you start training for a marathon.
Even though it is possible if you have been running a shorter time to complete a marathon - it's better if your body is used to being a runner before you start.
You should also have run some shorter races before you take on a marathon.
In addition to 5K's and 10K's, you should complete at least a half-marathon or two.
Running a couple half-marathons will let you know that you have the commitment that you need to train for an endurance event.
Another major consideration is to decide if you have the time that you need to train.
It's a major commitment to be able to do the training needed to complete a marathon.
There are days where you will be running 3 - 4 hours at a time.
You need to be able to have the time available to do this.
A great thing to do is to sit down with your family in the front end of your training.
It is critical that you have the support of your family.
Tell them about your goal of running a marathon.
Also, let them know that you are going to need their support - in many ways.
You will need their support mentally.
In addition, you need to let them know of what your training will entail and that there are times where you will be out running for a few hours at a time.
There may be times that you will need their help in what you normally do around the house.
A marathon is a great goal - and one that I feel that if you are mentally as well as physically ready to take on, you will have no trouble in completing.
And, when you are finished - it will be such a great sense of accomplishment that you will take with you for a long, long time.
Source...