Tips for Beginner Marathon Runners

If you are considering running in a marathon for the first time, and you need to get yourself updated on some ways to make your first marathon race a bit more tolerable you might be interested in some of these ideas I found from a great article on this topic from the July 2011 issue of Runner's World that will help you get the most from yourself during your first marathon experience. Here are some of the tips for beginner marathoners they suggest.

Follow a Training Plan

It's common for newbie runners to be so motivated that they overdo their running. Your goal should be to increase mileage over a time that's appropriate. You don't want to cram to many miles into too little of a time frame. That can result in injuries that will set you back. Start out slow, increase mileage as time passes and give yourself adequate rest periods in between runs.

When Do I Begin Training For a Marathon?

You'd serve yourself best to have brought yourself to the point of logging 3 to 5 miles on an average of 4 or 5 times weekly for a time frame of approximately 12 months before you take marathon training seriously. As a result of that, your tendons and ligaments will be conditioned well enough to endure the long distance running you'll experience from a marathon.

Training for Speed

Some runners don't have the desire to run fast, however if you're a serious marathon runner, your speed will matter to you. You'll want to train for speed in your workouts because the result is more powerful legs as well as a boost in the efficiency of your cardiovascular system. Slow running encourage a more sloppy type of form so picking up your pace will help your running technique as well.

How Do I Know I Can Do It?

A good way to measure your progress to let you know your ready to go the marathon distance is to build your weekly mileage up to approximately 40 miles. In addition to that you'll also want to make sure you've done a numerous 20 mile runs too. This kind of mileage will keep your body in the condition in needs to be in to endure the distance of a 26 mile run.