Concerning marathons training, there is a lot to consider when you are getting ready for such an event.
Running or even just walking a marathon can be extremely stressful on your body and mind, so it is important to take all of the necessary steps in preparing both for the big day.
One thing that you will want to do is start out slow and increase the distance and speed that you are running until about three weeks prior to the marathon.
Overdoing it right before you have to race is one of the worst things a person can do.
Since you want your body to be in top shape for the event, you will have to be rested, and that means taking it easy on training in the last few weeks before the marathon.
Instead of just running four or five days a week, try to kick it up to six.
It's always good to have one day to rest, so make sure you are using that time to take it easy and recover for the next six days you will be running.
One common mistake that people make in preparing for a marathon is forcing themselves to keep going even though their body is telling them to stop.
There is nothing wrong with pushing past your comfort zone, however by doing more than your body can handle at that point in time, you are setting yourself up for a possible injury, which means you will be out of commission for a while.
Make sure that over the course of a week you do a couple long runs, and between them you should be doing smaller ones that are anywhere from three to six miles in distance.
Of course the distance that you start off running will depend on how fit you are and what your experience level is with running competitively.
The more you run long distances, the more your body will adjust to it.
At first you may find it hard to run more than six miles, however once you start doing it more often and pushing yourself a little bit, you will begin to make progress.
The key is to get yourself at a place that is uncomfortable but not painful.
This can sometimes be a fine line, so it is important to make good judgment calls on what you feel is too much and what is not enough.
When you first start out, your runs can be as short as six miles.
After the first week or two, you will definitely want to start considering moving it up and run 8 or 9.
These long runs will be done across the span of a week, so you won't have to worry about burning yourself out by doing them every single day.
Having enough energy for the race is imperative, and nutrition is certainly a big part of marathons training.
You will want to be sure that you are putting all the right foods into your body.
These include fruits, vegetables, lean meats, granola, and foods that are high in carbohydrates such as pasta.
This will be the fuel that you use as energy, so when the time comes to start running in the marathon, you won't have any problems with not having enough energy.
Pacing is another issue that must be addressed.
When you start off with everyone else in the race, you shouldn't feel any pressure to keep up with those who are in the front.
Make sure you go at a pace that comfortable for you, yet one that will put you ahead in the long run.
Doing this will get you to where you want to be and at the same time keep your body from quitting on you or hitting a wall mid-race.