One of the toughest physical challenges for a human is running a marathon (and completing it successfully). A decade earlier, marathon runners were sports persons only, but bit by bit it became a trend and you can see so many people running and completing a marathon successfully. Unlike sports persons or professional marathon runners, normal people don’t have the proper guidance and training to compete in the intense run for 26.2 miles.

Being an entity actively engaged in Marathon and other endurance runs, we are often asked this question by first-time marathon runners, "How to prepare for the first marathon?" In this post, we are going to talk about the top five tips for the first marathon run.

One – Physical Training
A marathon is not a 100 meters race that you can complete in minutes. It is among one of the toughest racing events and you can’t compete in a marathon without proper training. Being fit and having a gym-toned body is not enough for running a marathon. You need to prepare your body for the long run that comes with continuous running and developing your body for the same.

If you are planning to run a marathon, you need to plan. Start preparing at least 6 months in advance if you are a first-timer and put the pressure on your body bit by bit. Don’t start in accelerated mode. If you are not a regular runner or jogger, start with short runs or a few kilometers jogging first and progress to longer runs once your body gets ready for the long run.

Marathon is different than other timed races. So, ignore the timing and focus on covering length at your own pace. Don’t injure yourself by exerting too much pressure on your body.

Tapering is the most important thing that you need to do before the race. This gives enough time to your body to recover from the training period and help it get ready for the big day.

Two – Nutrition & Hydration
Nutrition and hydration are mandatory for a marathon runner. You need to feed your body properly to make it capable of running for long periods without losing strength. Consuming more carbohydrates for strength and proteins for strengthening your body is important. It would be a better idea to get some professional help in this segment as it will help you prepare physically for the race.

Three – Mental Preparation
A marathon doesn’t test your body only; but also tests your mind. Therefore, you need to be at the top of your mental strength before running a marathon. You need a lot of mental strength during the run. It is most certainly not your body that pulls you through – it is that battle within your brain. You need to believe that you’ve got this and figure out a way of convincing yourself that no matter how much it hurts, you will never quit.

Since you are a first-time marathon runner, don’t worry about your time, just concentrate on crossing the line, keeping in control, and letting the crowds help push you through.

Four – Running Gears & Accessories
For the long run like a marathon, your gears, accessories, and things you carry with you are your only friends and companion. So make sure to have perfect companions on the run.

The most important thing is what you wear (including your shoes). Here are the things that you must have on the run:

• Perfect running shoes
• Friction gel
• Sunscreen
• Energy bars
• Sunglasses (with UV protection)
• Fitness band
• Perfect pair of earphones and your favorite playlist for the run
• Waist pouch (to keep all these things)

We’ll cover this in detail in another post, stay tuned for that.

Five – Tips for D Day
In addition to the four important first-time marathon tips, here are some tips for the D day. Every professional marathon runner will tell you that anybody can run a marathon but only a few can complete the race. And those who complete the race have one thing in common that is the zeal to hit the wall.

To help you finish this, there are some tips from seasoned marathon runners:

• Dedicate miles to someone – I find it among the most practical and motivating tips which help in pushing up to the next level. Dedicate every mile to someone (your loved ones, your pet, or your favorite characters), it will keep their image in your mind and you will feel more motivated to complete the mile.
• Walk a minute – At the end of every mile, you complete, walk a minute, and give some time to your body and muscles to relax and rejuvenate. Hydrate yourself during this period and prepare your mind for the next mile.

These are some of the most practical and essential tips for first-time marathon runners. However, if you have any specific kind of query, feel free to share it with us and we’ll answer it for you. We can also help you connect with professional marathon runners who have completed the run multiple times for more practical guidance.