Success starts with a solid plan and then the execution of that plan with consistency. The road map to success for your marathon follows the same philosophy and requires you to be prepared well ahead of time.
When you think of all the training needed to do before a marathon, often the mental side is given less attention but it should be given equal attention. Managing your excitement, anxiety and mental roadblocks are extremely important to find success. Be sure to include mental practices into your routine, such as meditation, envisioning you achieving your goals, focus on breathing and being focused on success.Having a great support group is needed to maintain a focus on your ultimate goals and to avoid any negative self-talk that creeps up during the preparation process. Whether it’s a friend, family member or a running coach, support is essential and goes hand in hand with the physical parts of training.
Here are some tips to use for your roadmap to success for your marathon goals:
💪 Give yourself 5 months of consistent training leading up to the marathon.
💪 Have a strong support group to help keep you focused and to navigate mental obstacles along the way.
💪 Schedule rest days for each week to allow your body to recover and avoid over training injuries.
💪Train for long slow pace, mid tempo pace and short faster pace runs throughout your program.Â
💪 Train for the specific course you are about to run.
💪 Carb load the week before. Be sure to stay ahead of your energy stores during the race too (gel packs are great for this throughout the run). Also, stay hydrated throughout the run and don’t over drink either.
💪 Enjoy the journey and be sure to embrace the pure joy of accomplishing this physical and mental challenge. The best rewards are those that come with consistent hard work and working through the struggles presented.
