From training big to racing big: Snagging your first full marathon.

I do not know about the rest of you, but the month of May certainly went by in the blink of an eye. It felt like yesterday when I put the theme together to Train Big and here, we are at the end of another month of running.

If you are anything like me, you are partial to fall running. So as the summer months begin to roll in, so do our marathon training schedules. Whether you are gearing up for an in-person event or you have opted for completing the distance virtually; I believe that now is truly a great time to consider adding the marathon distance to your repertoire.

As a runner, if I were to find any silver lining in the face of the pandemic last year, it would be the ability to cover a new race distance (or master a familiar distance) within the familiar streets of your own hometown. This year, the options to participate in the full marathon distance are even more accessible and exciting than ever (it is not every day when you can brag about competing in the Boston Marathon 😊)

So, if 2020 was your year to really increase your mileage and training days and you are looking for ways to stay motivated and advance in the sport, now may be a great opportunity to take the full marathon plunge.

In our May 2^nd blog post on surpassing the fear of long-distance running, I offered up a few tips on how to go about selecting and registering for a race that suits your training and travel preferences. Today is about the specifics of getting ready to tackle your very first marathon.

Here we go!

1. Get a marathon training plan: This can be as overwhelming as deciding on a race. There are many options out there and with this being your first marathon, there is no way to know ahead of time whether the plan you choose will work for you. Your best bet is to research the different plans available based on how many weeks out your race is. Flexibility in the schedule is also a huge selling point for me. I have used the Nike Run Club Coach in 14 of the 15 long distance races that I have competed in. Remember that during a marathon training cycle, life happens, so make sure you select a plan that allows adjustments when you cannot run on a specific day.
2. Do not overdo your longest training run: Repeat after me: YOU DO NOT NEED TO RUN A FULL MARATHON IN TRAINING. If you adhered to the first point, you may note that over the course of your training plan, your longest run will cap off at around 20-21 miles. There is no reason (and it may actually cause more harm than good) to run 26.2 miles in training to prove to yourself that you are ready for race day. I remember training for my first marathon three years ago and feeling this sense of calm after my twenty mile run. At that moment, I knew that I was ready.
3. Know the rules of your race: If you plan to run virtually, make note of the dates when you are required to submit your results. Some virtual races have a 7-14 day window for your to complete your run and upload your results. Others may have a shorter time. Make sure that you have a date locked in for completing your run within that window. If you plan to run in person, stay abreast of the participant’s update emails. As we remain in a pandemic, race organizers are beginning to lay some of the ground rules for participating, particularly as it relates to vaccinations. Know which vaccines are recognized by your race of choice. Become familiar with how the corrals will be set up, aid station protocols and any post race information.

If you are planning to participate in your first full marathon, please drop a line in the comments section. We would love to hear from you and follow your journey!

Linda