3 Tips to Get Through Marathon Training

As I mentioned in my previous post, I’m training for the half marathon. Even though I spent years running for recreation, preparing for a race like this isn’t quite the same.

 

I caught the running bug back in high school. I had just graduated and planned to try out for the St. John’s basketball team. Since it was a division one team, I had my work cut out for me.

All guards were required to run a mile in eight minutes, while the forwards and centers had to run it in 12 minutes. So, I’d train with the track team in order make the eight minute mile.

My basketball career never took off, but the experience stayed with me. That said, here are 3 things to get me through my marathon training.

1. A good pair of kicks. I’ve learned that having the right pair of sneakers makes a huge difference in how you run. At first I thought that my knees and feet would hurt because I was just getting older. But I later found out that I just needed a new pair of shoes. There are even stores that analyze your strides and help you choose the right sneakers for you.
2. A healthy diet. Eating right is an important lesson I learned back in high school. If I ate fast food before a game, I’d pay the price. So, making healthy choices is extremely important, otherwise I’d feel like I have lead feet. I also need to eat enough to keep my body fueled and ready to go.
3. Music. Having the right tunes is extremely important when it comes to working out. I could feel too exhausted to work out. But, have good music keeps me awake. I’ve already got a playlist featuring all of my favorite artists to help me accomplish my running goals.

As long as I follow these tips, I’m good to go. The half marathon is about six months away and I’m super excited. I’ve managed to work my way back up to four miles, which is a far cry from the 13 mile run required for the half marathon. But, it’s okay. It’s all about making progress.

Have your trained for a marathon? What were some of the things that got you through the race?