Have you ever seen the comedy movie Run Fatboy Run? There is a scene where the lead character is talking to his rival about running the London marathon, to which he is advised that he will be unlikely to succeed in finishing the race because it is ‘really hard.‘
Indeed, when you are training for a marathon, in order to succeed, you will need to follow several plans and guides to cross the finish line, and this goes far beyond simple jogs around the park!
If you are planning to take part in a marathon in the next year, here are some of the ways you can ensure it is a success, in addition to simply staying healthy.
Plan, Plan, Plan!
When it comes to training for a marathon, you will need to have a plan in place.
Specifically, you will need to outline your training runs and your rest days, and you will need to take note of any milestones you hit. It’s important to note that a huge part of sports psychology is focusing on the positive, so if you miss a milestone, don‘t beat yourself up over it. That way, you will be competing in and finishing the Macmillan Edinburgh Marathon in no time!
Hire a Coach
OK, so for some people, hiring a professional coach to help them train is likely to be outside their budget. If it isn‘t, then great! However, if you have a friend who is not afraid of dosing out tough love, then it is worth calling them to be your coach for the build-up to the marathon. This will help keep you focused, and with someone checking in on you to see how you are doing with each day and training, it will help keep you motivated, too.
Set Rewards for Yourself
Going back to positive psychology, humans in general respond better to positive reinforcement than negative. If you hit a goal in your training, reward yourself with something fun, such as new running gear or even a meal out with a loved one. If you don‘t hit a milestone, you can choose a disciplinary action, but again, don‘t be too harsh. You want to build yourself up, not break your self-esteem.
Track Your Progress
There are so many fitness training apps that it can seem impossible for runners to choose the right one for them.
However, as part of your training, it is worth downloading one to your phone or other smart device that measures your time, distance, heart rate and so on. These apps are great, as they alert you when you have hit a new goal, set a new milestone or, if you get a more advanced option, they can advise you on ways to build your stamina.
Get a Running Partner
Much like a coach, having a running partner is a great idea when training for a marathon. Just try and make sure that your schedules line up. This will once again help keep you focused and will ensure you have company when training in the rain or snow.
Main Image – Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-close-up-shot-of-a-jogger-s-legs-5310739/