Once you’ve run your first run, or have run for a few months, people may start to wonder if you’re ever going to run a marathon. Finishing a 42.2k race is no small feat and, as marathoners can tell you, training, not the race itself, can be the hardest part.
I think anyone in good health who is ready to engage in this workout can complete a marathon, but I don’t recommend that new runners jump straight into the distance of a marathon. It’s an easy way to injure yourself and eventually end up hating running, rather than developing a healthy lifestyle. If you’ve never run before, it’s important to feel very comfortable with running, acquiring the physical and mental demands of jogging, slowly building your base for long runs, and doing some short-distance runs.
How do you know if you are ready to start training for a marathon? Here are some questions to ask yourself:
1. How long have you been running?
It is best to be a runner for at least six months (a year is better) before you start training for a marathon. If you have this experience, your body will have already made some physical adaptations and you will be more physically and mentally prepared to endure the challenges of training a marathon. Of course, a lot of people jump right into marathon training, and then a few months later, get injured or are already tired of running, because they find it too difficult or demotivating.
2. How many kilometers are you able to invest?
A good weekly base jog is 25 to 35 km for a few months before starting a program for a marathon. Your body needs time to adjust to the bodily shocks it will experience during training. And make sure you don’t just run on a treadmill, because the fit is very different on the road. Remember that your marathon will be on the road, so learning to run outdoors is essential to familiarize your body with the different changes.
3. Have you spoken to your doctor?
Even if your doctor has cleared you to start running as an exercise, it is still important to discuss your marathon plans with him or her. Your doctor may suggest additional tests or have specific exercise recommendations before allowing you to begin this project.
4. Have you ever run a race?
Before you start thinking about running a marathon, it is a good idea to try out a few short runs, such as a 5 or 10k. You will be able to determine if you really enjoy racing before you commit emotionally, a huge amount of time and a financial investment. What most runners do is run a half marathon before doing a marathon in order to get a better idea of what is involved with a marathon.
5. Do you have time to train?
Some people don’t realize that preparing for a marathon is very time consuming. At times, you will feel like you have a part-time job. Beginners should plan to run or exercise at least 4-5 days a week and one of those days will involve a long run. Be realistic about your job, family, and other responsibilities to determine if you will have the time to devote to a challenging workout plan. Some people may need to consider family members before committing if they are going to need help with childcare and the like.
6. Have you thought about possible training conditions and races?
If you already have a marathon in mind, have you thought about the possible conditions on race day? You have to consider when and where you are going to train depending on the marathon you want to do. If you want to do a summer marathon and live in a climate with cold winters, you are going to do most of your preparation in the cold. The same is true for those doing early fall marathons who will have to do a lot of running in hot weather. Think carefully about when and how you train.
7. Have you done your research?
Have you ever watched or volunteered at a marathon? Have you read any books on marathons? Have you spoken to people who have completed a marathon? Have you watched a beginner’s marathon training program to see what it entails? Are you aware of any costs associated with a marathon? All of these things are great ways to learn more about the involvement of a marathon, so that you know what to expect and can determine if it’s something you actually want to do.
8. Why do you want to run a marathon?
Make sure you want to run a marathon for conscious reasons. If someone challenged you to do it or you are trying to impress a friend, you are probably not going to last very long… You must have personal goals, like improving your health, experiencing a process. creation, achieve certain goals, or just prove to yourself that you can embark on a disproportionate project. Remember, the miracle is getting to the start line, not finishing it!
If you want to read the experience of some readers of this site regarding their first marathon, or you would like to share your experience, here is the link.
This post is also available in: Français (French)
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