Completing a marathon is an marvelous goal for athletes, but marathon training and the race itself is not something to be taken lightly. While I think that any healthful person who is willing to commit to the training can finish a marathon, I don't recommend that runners jump right into the marathon distance (26.2 miles or 42K). If you've never prepared for any kind of endurance event, you should work on building your training base mileage for at least six months before you start thinking about training for a marathon.
Once you've established a regular running habit and are running 3-4 days a week, it's wise to get your feet wet by racing a shorter distance race, like a 5K (3.1 miles) or a 10K (6.2 miles) Many runners choose to run a half marathon before taking on the full marathon. Getting some race experience is good preparation for your marathon and will get you inspired to begin your training.
Find a Marathon
Once you have at least six months of training (a year is even better) and a few shorter races under your belt, you can begin thinking about which marathon you want to prepare for. There are lots of marathons to choose from. You'll have to determine whether you prefer to run a big or small marathon, and if you prefer to travel to another city (perhaps even an international destination) or stay close to home. Browse through the listings and reviews of marathons at the internet to get some ideas of where you might want to run.
How to Get Started with Marathon Training
Before you get started with marathon training, here are some ways you should get prepared:
Medical check-up:
Even if you've already been running, check with your medical practitioner and let him or her know your plans to train for and run a marathon.
Training shoes, clothes, and gear:
While you don't need to buy lots of expensive gear, the right training shoes is an important investment. Getting running shoes that are cut out for for your training style, foot type, and level of experience will help you run efficiently and injury-free. Finding the correct sports bra is also very important for women to stay comfortable while running. Wearing running clothes made of technical fabrics (not cotton) that wick away your sweat will help keep you dry and comfortable. You'll also need a good water bottle or hydration belt to hydrate during runs.
Weather:
You're going to be training through different seasons and types of weather. Take some time to examine what's involved with training in the hot, cold, or rainy weather.
Marathon Training Schedules
Once you've achieved a running base of about 15 miles a week, you can get started with a Beginner Marathon Training Schedule. The schedule is geared towards beginner runners whose goal is to naturally finish the marathon. If you wish to use a run/walk strategy for training and completing your marathon, use a Run/Walk Marathon Training Schedule from prepareformarathon.com.
Author Resource:-
Chris is a running specialist.
He is a writer, trainer and owner of the website:
http://www.prepareformarathon.com
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