The following day I found myself signing up for a marathon that waswait for iteight weeks away.
(In other words, learn from my mistakes.)
Fast-forward to race day and reality kicked in.
Micaiah Carter. Wardrobe Styling by Yuiko Ikebata. Makeup by Deanna Melluso. Hair by Jerome Cultrera.
Thats when my mental game fell apart.
The distance to the finish line felt like it was light years away.
I checked my watch obsessively and started to doubt I would finish.
Micaiah Carter
I somehow stumbled through, but I was very lucky to sneak away without an injury.
For my second marathon, I set myself up with a smart, 16-week plan.
I ended up finishing in 3 hours and 30 minutes, qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
Micaiah Carter
Since then Ive run four marathons, including one trail marathon through the Utah desert.
Now, Im training for my firstultramarathon.
Along the way, Ive learned a lot about how to train the right way.
Micaiah Carter
If you train correctly, the race itself is just the icing on the sweat- and mile-filled cake.
Lets lace up and dive in.
Youre going to be a better runner if you do more running, asserts Fitzgerald.
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Use the calculus analogy.
you’re free to’t go from not knowing how to count to taking a calculus class.
Before diving into the marathon distance, Fitzgerald strongly suggeststraining for and racing a half-marathon first.
Another good test is to double-check you’re able to run comfortably for an hour.
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The next step is to find a solid training plan.
One of the most popular plans comes from the renowned runner and coachHal Higdon.
The Novice plan is 18 weeks long and covers your basics: long runs, cross-training, and rest.
), or even hiring a coach, are great options.
This isnt what we want for marathon training; we want to keep getting stronger and building endurance.
check that to take your long run each week seriously.
Marathoners are made from their long runs, Fitzgerald explains.
Fitzgerald recommends sandwiching in strength exercises before and after each run.
Additionally, cross-training is a great, low-impact way to simulate running if your body is feeling extra sore.
Try pool running or biking.
Strategic and active recovery.When it comes to marathon training, rest is non-negotiable.
For active recovery, take your easy runs easy.
Once you start running 30+ miles a week, your stomach is going to notice somethings going on.
Did I really need 100 calories of this sugary gel stuff if I wasnt having hunger pangs?
If youre not a gel fan, you’re able to experiment with real foods too.
(Gels dont count as dinner.)
it needs to recover and rebuild muscleeven if its just a snack and a full meal comes later.
If youskip your post-workout mealaltogether, you’ll likely end up feeling fatigued and lightheaded.
Lastly, its important to stay hydrated, both while running and resting.
Many runners often overlook the psychological part of training.
But you should think of your mind like a muscle.
(Your long runs will help you with that, for sure.)
Im a huge mantra fan.
If I feel good, I simply tell myself smooth, and visualize myself gliding over the roads.
Confidence is another key element of feeling mentally fit.
Fitzgerald explains that getting comfortable racing will make you more confident at the start line.
Racing is a skill, he remarks.
Have a goal, go for that goal, but don’t be so stringent, she says.
If you set that bar [too high] and you miss it youre going to be devastated.
For every race, she suggests creating an A, B, and C time goal.
That way, you have a range to shoot for versus trying for one number and one number only.
As Morgan says, For first-time marathoners, just finishing is a perfectly great goal to set.
Lastly, remember to trust your training.
If you put in the work, youll be prepared to run a marathon.
The race will be uncomfortable, but it will also be incredible.
