For many runners, running UK marathons is indeed a personal challenge and also an achievement. You might want to push yourself or demonstrate your endurance. Maybe a friend talked you into it. Perhaps you want to lose weight, get healthier, or raise money for a good cause. Whatever your motivation for running is, here are some things to consider before undertaking your first marathon.
Learn How to Use Proper Energy.
Determine your pre-race meal, on-the-run energy, and post-race food before race day, and test them all at least once. Everything you eat in the days during and before your UK marathons may have a big impact on how well you perform in the race.
However, everyone's tummy, energy level, and tolerance are unique. What functions for other people may not work for you. It is critical to test any supplements or energy drinks you intend to consume while on the go. Also, you may wish to significantly raise your carbohydrate consumption while reducing your fibre intake in the days before the marathon.
Furthermore, don't try something new the night before, in the morning, or during the race. For instance, before your Birmingham half marathon, eating at a new restaurant is not a good idea. Hence, eating a more bland meal than usual is best to avoid upsetting your stomach. In addition, various events also hand out energy drinks and gels on the course. It is not the place to find out whether they agree with your stomach or not, so avoid using them for the first time during the race unless you have taken them in training.
Obtain A Workout Routine.
Discover a strategy that works for you. Numerous plans are available, each with a different mileage level and several training days per week. This is not a one-size-fits-all race, and you must choose your strategy carefully. The majority of them starts 12 to 14 weeks before the race, although some start up to 16 weeks in advance and as late as six weeks.
However, you must plan your preparation based on your level of experience, strength and conditioning, and personal obligations.
Furthermore, don't think you can get by with little or no training. The UK marathons are not a distance to be taken lightly, and inadequate training will almost certainly result in injury. The essential thing is to arrive at the starting line injury-free and race-ready.
Wear the Proper Clothes.
Wear anything comfortable that you've worn before, and that is weather appropriate. A basic principle is nothing new on race day for a good reason. This is a simple rule, but it is frequently broken, usually with catastrophic outcomes in the form of itchiness and bleeding in sensitive areas. Thus, use a comfortable outfit and wear it many times during your training to see if there are any points where you must use glide or if you should wear something entirely different.
In addition, check the weather a few days before the race, and pay particular attention to the temperature at the start time. Consider your clothing choices carefully, and keep in mind that you will warm up while you run.
You may want to wear anything over your running attire to toss away at the starting line if it's likely windy, cold, or raining. Your body will feel better after the race starts the longer you keep warm and dry before the gun is fired.
Don't Run on Rest Day.
Don’t go running on rest days. They allow your muscles to recover from strenuous workouts and aid in the prevention of mental exhaustion. Injury is the biggest enemy of any aspiring marathoner, and the best defence against injury is rest.
If you prefer to be active on your rest days, cross-training is a great alternative. Hiking, biking, swimming, walking, yoga, lifting weights, or other low-impact activity can be considered cross-training.
Take Your Time.
Pace yourself for the long miles you'll be running. This is not a race, and your pace will be necessary. Particularly if you've just done a taper week and ran the first few miles too quickly, it's too easy to get carried away with the anticipation of the starting line. To prevent this, line up in the appropriate finish time corral and do so depending on your real pace rather than a high individual record you aim to reach. When everyone is where they should be in terms of speed, everyone benefits.
Conclusion
On race day, it's also crucial to be kind to yourself. Get into yourself, and decide how you're feeling that day throughout the first mile or two. While you will have a goal speed, it is still advisable to pay attention to your feelings. If it gets to be too much, slow down since it's better to complete later than expected than not at all.
Only about one percent of the world's population has completed UK marathons, so you're already a member of an exclusive club. Because this is your first race, you're bound to set a personal best!
