4 Tips to Preparing for a Marathon

My first marathon was so thrilling. To be a part of community where everyone is there for one goal, get to the finish line was exhilarating. Imagine just me and everyone else who has trained a long time for that moment. That very moment that holds a very important milestone in my life. Now, a lot of you have trained for a marathon before, but if this is your first time, or you're here out of sheer curiosity, well my friend, I'm here to help.

Know Your Limits

You'll know how long you have to train for a marathon. You'll get a date, and be prepared to anticipate for the entire event. That being said, understand your limits. Your body might be able to do 30 minutes of jogging while you're pushing for a hour. Instead of hurting yourself, opt to pace instead. I started small, and I started early in the morning. After all a 26.2 mile marathon can put you at a high risk for injury if you're not prepared. 

Choose Your Marathons Wisely

Marathons range from low-key to quiet. To help understand the vibe of your race, do more research before signing up. You can even volunteer to a race held at another city if you're really curious. When you choose a marathon that's close to home, you can have a bit of a "home field advantage". 

Recover Smartly

You'll have days when you're sore. Actually, you'll have a lot of days when you're feeling sore especially at times when you're introducing new paces and new routines. But that's okay. One way that helps me in muscle recovery is my TENS unit that acts very similar to a massager. It's been my go-to device when I want to relax but also recover fast.

Always Drink Water

Before you run, drink a glass of water. This will help you feel hydrated during your workout. Often, people I run with are too stubborn to drink water, but it gives you the energy you need to keep going. Therefore, I never go without water before running and even on-the-go. 

What do you do to prepare for a marathon?