First-time marathon runner? Here are our top 5 tips to help you prep
Is running a half marathon or full marathon on your bucket list? We share some useful tips to help you prepare your body and mind.
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NextIs running a half marathon or full marathon on your bucket list? We share some useful tips to help you prepare your body and mind.
Is running a half marathon or full marathon on your bucket list? We share some useful tips to help you prepare your body and mind.
Whether running a marathon is on your bucket list or you are preparing to make it a regular fitness endeavour, it surely is nothing like strolling up and down the block every day. It takes months of training and conditioning and lots of effort and dedication. Many people who commit to a half-marathon or even a full marathon like a challenge and there is something extremely rewarding about completing your first marathon.
Here are some useful tips to help you prepare your body and mind for your first marathon.
Running a marathon takes practice to build your endurance. To get a better idea of the strength you need to build for the long run, start with a small run. Make sure to start training about a year before the big day in order to develop stamina without injuring yourself. In other words, don’t go too fast too soon. Take your time and understand that preparing for a marathon takes patience and strong will.
You might discover that the biggest challenge when preparing for marathon is mental rather than physical. Just like with your body, work on your mindset. Visualise yourself receiving the medal and set the small goals leading up to it. Focus on your breath when emotions start taking over. Anticipate the obstacles that might occur so that you are prepared for the big day.
Knowing when to rest is crucial for preventing injury during marathon training. Listen to your body to know when to take a break while running and when to take the day off to rest and let your muscles recover.
You can use a foam roller to promote circulation and ease the soreness in your legs and in wide muscle areas like the back. Using a pulsing massage gun is also a good idea as it relaxes the muscles and applies focused pressure that eases any pain you may have from running.
These tools are very popular among runners and their effects have been proven to boost performance thanks to enhanced mobility, so do not hesitate to invest in a good recovery routine.
Make it a point to include one to two cross-training days a week into your training routine as this will allow you to build and maintain muscle mass as you increase your mileage.
Cross-training like swimming or weight-lifting also helps you diversify your routine and decrease the risk of burnout from going overboard with running. Preserving your strength through cross-training helps you avoid injury and keep you healthy throughout the training process which sometimes takes a toll on the body.
This probably goes out without saying, but we will say it anyway: eat your greens and drink your fluids!
Keeping your body well-nourished and hydrated during the training period is absolutely essential to your well-being and overall performance. Make sure to drink plenty of water everyday and include proteins, fruits and veggies in your daily diet.
Another important factor to consider is your clothing. Opt for moisture-wicking and practical activewear like pocket leggings or running shorts and pick tops that are form-fitting to ensure sweat is absorbed as you run. Sports bras are also a must as they keep everything in place and ensure you have all the freedom you need to unleash that energy and run for miles in ultimate comfort.
Personalise your yoga and activewear shopping experience and discover your perfect size with the M Life Fit Finder.
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