Things to Keep in Mind Before Your First Marathon
There’s a lot to keep in mind when running your first marathon. More and more people are taking up running and this sport has grown in popularity. It’s a lifestyle for a huge part of society. Those who practice it will be unavoidably attracted to the challenge of their first marathon.
However, before you register for a race, you’ll need to keep in mind a few essential points. This way, you’ll avoid any lack of experience spoiling your first race.
Tips to keep in mind for your first marathon: how to prepare
Besides physical and mental preparation, there are other aspects and potential mistakes that must be considered. One of them is the weather; it’s essential to pay close attention to the weather forecast for the day and time of the race.
Keeping in mind that it’s your first marathon, by monitoring the weather conditions for the day of the race, you can wear appropriate clothing and avoid uncomfortable situations. You can also prevent problems that could hinder your performance.
Under no circumstance should you wear new shoes for a marathon. If you do, they may rub your feet and cause blisters that would put an end to your experience. It’s advisable to wear the shoes and clothes you have trained with during the weeks and months before the race.
Keep in mind that before your first marathon, the last two weeks before the big day, your training should decrease slightly. This will allow you to start the race with more energy and be well prepared for the physical effort. It’s advisable to run less and rest more during this period.
An extra detail that usually helps runners is to feel the motivation and encouragement from family and friends during the race. Ideally, in order to avoid losing concentration, try to remember the spots throughout the course of the marathon where they’ll be watching the race.
Tips to keep in mind for your first marathon: diet is important
The day before the race, it’s important to have a light supper. Many runners believe that an abundant dish of pasta will help their bodies the next day due to the high consumption of carbohydrates. However, this is a false idea and it may, on the contrary, be counterproductive.
If you eat too much on the day before the race, you can suffer from indigestion that would spoil your plans for running your first marathon. The best thing to do is to eat what you would normally eat for supper.
On the day of the race, it’s also recommended to have a normal breakfast, including a carbohydrate such as toast or a banana. It isn’t advisable to eat too much fiber during the previous hours. The nervousness prior to the race and the effort during the race could accelerate its digestion and cause digestive problems.
Iron plays a key role in your endurance during a marathon, A deficiency of this mineral could affect your performance and favor injury, It’s important to make sure your diet is rich in iron during the weeks before the event.
Trying new energy bars or snacks is not a good idea on the day of the race. It’s better to bring food that you have been eaten before and ones that you’ll enjoy. The day of the race is not a good moment for experiments!
Today’s the day
The day of the marathon is finally here. It’s important to arrive at the starting line early. This way you’ll avoid unnecessary stress. It’s also important to have breakfast even if our nerves feel we shouldn’t.
Before the starter whistle, it’s recommended to visit the restroom so you can complete the race without any inconveniences. Once the race starts, it’s normal to run fast and panic. This isn’t a good idea.
The only way to make it to the finish line is step by step and with endurance. Which is why it’s advisable to ration your fatigue.
You must be careful and avoid other runners who may affect your concentration. It’s important to trust your physical and mental training. Don’t let older runners or large groups of runners who get ahead of you affect your performance.
Finally, you should enjoy the race. Your first marathon will only occur once and the experience will be undoubtedly unforgettable.