A lot can go wrong when running marathons. Many runners are excited when they first decide to take on this amazing feat, but the enthusiasm dies away once they get into their training plan and realize that covering 26.2 miles by foot is a lot more difficult than they imagined.
Even runners who excel at shorter distance races often make big mistakes when they take on the marathon.
If you are interested in running marathons, consider five big mistakes that others commonly make. Use this knowledge to your advantage.
3 Training Mistakes to Avoid
You will spend months if not years training to run a marathon which is completed in a matter of hours. Since training is the largest part of running marathons, it only makes sense that most of the mistakes are made during training.
1. Not setting a specific race day goal.
Many people start running marathons with the simple goal of making it to the finish line.
This seems like a very reasonable goal for a first-time marathon runner, considering the number of people who enter these races only to escorted out because they simply cannot make it all the way to the end.
The problem is this goal is not specific enough to guide your training.
In order to make it through the race, you need to train your body for a specific race day time.
If your goal is simply to make it to the end, you don’t have a pace to guide your training. It is impossible to properly train for running marathons without some guiding number.
Just training for the distance is not going to properly train your body.
I recently reviewed the 100 Day Marathon Plan of Olympic runner Marius Bakken. Make sure to read it if you want to get the most out of your marathon training.
2. Long runs are not effectively incorporated into the training plan.
There are a couple mistakes that can be made in this area.
Some people will leave out long runs completely while others do them too often.
Marathon long runs are essential when training for this long race, but you cannot do them so often that your body gets run down and is vulnerable to injury.
Long runs should be spaced out through the training phase so they don’t make the shorter training sessions impossible to get through. Don’t skip them, but don’t overindulge in them either.
3. Not incorporating cross training and resistance training into the overall program.
It takes incredible endurance and a high level of physical fitness to make it to the finish line of a marathon. Too many runners focus entirely on training for the distance, assuming their body will naturally develop the fitness it needs to complete the race.
Those who do some cross training and build up their muscles in the upper body through resistance training have a much easier time making it through a marathon.
2 Race Day Mistakes to Avoid
If you can avoid those mistakes while training to run a marathon, you are off to a better start than many runners racing beside you on the big day. Stay ahead of the pack by avoiding these two mistakes often made on race day.
1. Not fueling the body properly before and during the race.
Your body will struggle to maintain energy and keep going when running marathons. If you don’t follow the right marathon training diet, you might not make it to the finish line.
Some runners make the mistake of saving their energy drink for the end of the race, thinking they will need it most at that time. Others will make the mistake of drinking everything they can get their hands on, from water and sports drinks to gels.
It is best to deliver a consistent flow of sports drink and water starting within a half hour of the race until you cross the finish line. You don’t need anything else.
Stick with a simple carbohydrate-rich meal before the race day as well. If you aren’t completely sure your body can handle it without gastrointestinal problems, don’t eat it.
2. Not wearing gear to make it through the race comfortably.
Too many runners buy new clothing or running shoes so they look and feel great on race day.
The problem with this is you don’t know how those clothes are going to feel and new running shoes take time to break in and feel comfortable.
Don’t mistake running marathons for walking the stage in beauty pageants.
Test your clothes and shoes out on your long runs, then wear what feels best on your body when the muscles start to protest against the miles.
No matter whether you are a beginning marathon runner, or a seasoned marathoner, you will definitely reap the benefits of reading my 70 tips for marathon training post.
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