Its that time of year again when the majority of people are making New Year resolutions to get fit and healthy after the festive season. For a few thousand of us, we will also be in starting out on our training for a spring marathon. Whether you are running your first marathon or aiming for a personal best – getting to the start line is half the challenge! Here are some top tips to help you on your way…
- Get the right trainers
I can’t emphasize enough the importance of getting the right shoes! You are going to be pounding the pavements for a few miles until April, so having the right shoes to suit your feet and your running style is crucial. Most good sports shops will test your gait to find you the right level of support. Make sure you have enough time to wear them in properly before your main event to be sure they are the right ones for you.
- Train with friends or a club
Running solo can be hard work. If you have a group of friends or a local running club, that’s a great way to find new routes for those long runs, motivate each other and share training woes! My local running club has been invaluable for training buddies, support and motivation and welcome people at any level into the club!
- Get your nutrition right
That means fuelling your training with enough of the right hydration and good food. Running on empty wont get the most out of your sessions, but its also important to fuel yourself with the right stuff that will release energy slowly when you need it. It’s all down to personal preference, from water, energy drinks, gels or energy sweets. Try a few things to see what works for you, but never anything new on race day!
- Mix up your training
Running at the same steady pace every week wont get you faster. Its good to get some interval training or hill sessions into your training even if you are running a flat race. A strong core and glutes will also help your running, as will other cross training to increase your strength and stamina without putting constant pressure on those legs. You can include spinning, swimming or gym Different training plans work for different people, but its good to mix things up to avoid boredom and injury.
- Don’t forget to rest!
Give yourself one or two days off running each week to let your legs recover after a long run or hard interval session You could do some core work or strength work on a rest day, but don’t overdo it! It’s important to listen to your body and train accordingly. Most of us get niggles when you start to increase the miles and you will get to know what is normal for you and what may need more attention or a sports massage to loosen things up, but never ignore anything that is painful!
Finally and above all, enjoy it! The training can be tough and a hard slog through the winter months, but with the right approach, marathon training can be fun, social, challenging and rewarding, making the journey to the start line as enjoyable as the event itself!
If you are an individual that is training for a marathon or a company that has a team running for charity, or maybe a charity that has a group or marathon runners running for your cause – we can help!
For training plans, personal training sessions and more info, contact Claire at info@ckfitnessandwellbeing.co.uk