The running world can be as simple as ‘all you need is a pair of trainers’, but when it comes to long distance training, things take a bit of a step up. Which is fair enough. Marathon training is hard and it’s a commendable thing to sign up to (if I do say so myself…;) ) – remember, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
With that in mind, I thought I’d collate 26.2 things that they don’t necessarily always tell you before you get stuck in. ‘They’ being the General World Of Running. These are all from my personal experience of course, but I’d be pretty surprised if they didn’t resonate with a lot of you too!
If you’ve trained for a marathon before, what would you add to the list? If this is your first one, I wish you lots of luck and hope these tips help. If you’re wondering whether to sign up for one – GO FOR IT!
- There will be some kind of post run food or drink that you end up craving. It’s likely to be something you never necessarily had that much of before, and getting to it will often push you to the end of those tough runs. Mine is Diet Coke!!
- Marathon training is time consuming. Don’t be fooled, it’s not just the time you’re out running. It’s the warming up, getting ready, breaks en route, cool downs, showers…
- If you’re not an early bird, the early morning alarms don’t ever really get easier…
- …..neither does forcing yourself out of bed to eat breakfast early so you can fuel properly before a morning long run
- Things will chafe – and you’ll want to solve that, trust me. Vaseline/anti-chafe balm will be your friend. My hotspots were around my sports bra mostly and sometimes armpits. Legs in shorts also a strong contender until you find the right length for you!
- You will find yourself wanting new running clothes…..a lot….I’m spectacularly poor at not giving in to them. You might have more self control.
- Sometimes you will LOVE marathon training, you’ll feel strong and happy…..
- ….and other times you’ll hate it and wonder what the hell you signed up to this bloody thing for
- It’s important to remember your why – the motivation won’t always be there, but the discipline and routine of your training is what carries you through the weeks and months of training
- You’ll find yourself telling people you’re training for a marathon in all sorts of conversations and people will probably end up thinking it’s your ‘thing’
- It’s not worth being a fair weather runner – get out in the rain, hot or cold. You don’t know what the weather will be like on the day of your marathon and you want to make sure you can run in all weathers, no matter what it ends up being.
- Sleep becomes a priority and it really should be – not only is running lots quite tiring, sleep is totally vital for your recovery. Naps also encouraged.
- You will do a lot of laundry. And yes, most of it is running gear.
- New things start appearing in your life that you have surprisingly willingly paid for….think wireless headphones, a hydration vest, energy gels, compression socks…..
- It’s not all about the running though. There is other stuff that makes you a better runner. Strength work, mobility, yoga, cross-training. That’ll keep ya busy. Not to mention your personal life, work life and social life…
- Sports massages are also underrated – do try and fit one or two in during your training cycle
- When you start running quite a lot, it’s normal to become bored of your usual running routes or areas. Try mixing it up, especially with your longer runs, by going somewhere new to run and explore. If you drive, hop in the car to somewhere just out of walking distance!
- Not everyone you meet will ‘get it’. That’s ok. Try to find even one other person, online or in real life, who is training in a similar vibe to you. Marathon training can admittedly be quite lonely, but knowing you aren’t doing this alone will help. The running Instagram community is great for that.
- It’s ok if you don’t really like energy gels or they make you feel a bit ill. You can use something else to give you fuel during a long run. Lots of real food options out there.
- Electrolytes are incredible and will replenish lots of good things you lose during runs when you sweat a lot. Put some in your water when you need hydrating during a run, especially on your longer runs.
- Podcasts will become your distracting friend to help time go by quicker. You’ll probably find yourself listening to one talking about running whilst you’re on a run…..
- Long runs are hard, let’s be real – in the peak of training you can be looking at being on your feet for three hours – but you will feel incredible
- Saying that, you’ll probably have a couple where they don’t feel that great. Or they’re just hard. Or you cut them short. Or it hurts. That’s ok – it’s normal and part of the process. Don’t be hard on yourself.
- You’ll see yourself getting better, more confident, running further, running different sessions in a way you might never have noticed before – be proud of that
- If you have a running Instagram or blog, it can seem like everyone and their dog is marathon training. They’re not. Something like 1% of the population has run a marathon. What you are doing is special.
- The pre-marathon nerves the day before are like nothing else. Eat some pasta and get an early night, because…
26.2. The feeling when you run/crawl/fall over that finish line is INCREDIBLE. You’ll probably cry when you see the first person you know at the end. Embrace it. You are awesome.
Happy running, and remember to smile on a run – it relaxes you.
Ele x
chasingele.com 