When you sign up for a marathon, whether it’s your first or your 20th, it’s easy to get excited and want to jump right into training. Before you do that, here are a few things to do before you start building up that mileage.
5 Things to Do Before Starting Marathon Training
Whatever your experience, however long your actual plan, here are five things that should be done before starting marathon training.
Register for the race - check. Make the plan - check. What else? Here are 5 things to do before starting #marathon training. #runningClick To Tweet
1. Register
There’s nothing like actually registering for the race to make you feel committed to the training.
2. Build a Base
Before you start the actual training, take the time to build a strong endurance base. Don’t worry about speed yet, just about building up those miles. I like to start my marathon training plan when I have a base long run of 10 miles and a total weekly mileage base of around 25 miles.
Building a Running Base: What it is and Why it’s Important
3. Make the Plan
Whether you hire a coach, use an internet program, or create your own, making a plan for marathon training is vital. It will be your guideline for the next 12 to 16 weeks. Follow it and you will get the results you’re looking for. That means all of it, including rest, recovery, and tapering.
Learn about Coach Debbie’s Training Plans
Want to go it alone? Create Your Own Marathon Training Plan
4. Get Strong
Starting a regular strength training program before you start your marathon training will ensure that you are strong, well balanced, and injury-proofed before you start adding on mileage. A good plan will include exercises to strengthen your core and your glutes.
8 Essential Strength Exercises for Runners
Improve Your Running by Activating Your Glutes
While the level and intensity of your strength training may change during marathon training, it should continue throughout to keep your muscles balanced and help prevent injury.
5. Take a Health Inventory
Marathon training is strenuous and tough on your body. In addition to all of the things above, make sure that you are physically healthy, getting enough sleep, and eating a nutritious diet before you begin. If you are currently fighting an injury, this is probably not the time to train for a marathon. Get healthy first, then start the process above.
Are you currently training, or in pre-training, for a marathon? Are you excited about racing again? Do you have anything to add?
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Many new runners underestimate the time it takes to train for a marathon. Creating a plan is really helpful!
This is great, and goes along well with the post I shared today! My favorite part of marathon training is coming up with a training plan. It gets me excited for what’s to come!
I echo what Lisa said–although I don’t run marathons anymore, I always loved laying out the plan and envisioning the preparation! It’s hard work, but I always loved it.
I think these tips work for any race distance. Lots of runners underestimate the importance of base building and strength training
#5. So important.