Tip 1:<\/i><\/b> Have things aligned from the start. If you\u2019re a new runner I\u2019d highly recommend having your gait biomechanically checked before picking up heavy mileage; this means everything looked at from head to toe, not just your feet. An imbalance will inevitably lead to a problem further down the line when those habits feel much more natural and harder to break.<\/p>\n
Tip 2<\/i><\/b>: Book smaller events along the way. For some of you it could be difficult to keep the motivation up. A good way to break the training down is to plan other running events such as a 10km or half marathon. Smaller steps and getting the \u201cevent feel\u201d will prepare you psychologically which seasoned marathon runners will always tell you is very important<\/p>\n
Tip 3<\/i><\/b>: Find your own rhythm. When out running you will of course have friends made along the way, or friends you already have. Something you\u2019ll have to battle is slowing down or speeding up to stay with them. Try to keep to your own ability as much as you can, altering that can gas you out early or cause injury due to a slower gait. If you maintain your comfort speed you\u2019ll find the same faces around you quite often.<\/p>\n
Tip 4<\/i><\/b>: Know your body. If you feel really heavy and sore on a day you\u2019re supposed to head out the door (which will be pretty often!) be aware of the differences between injury pain and exercise pain, the latter can lead to taking time out of your running programme if you ignore it.<\/p>\n
Tip 5<\/i><\/b>: Bend your knees. It sounds silly, but if you ever manage to catch yourself in the shop window check to see if your knees are straight when you land. This can refer the impact up to your hip and lead to lower back, IT band and many other tissues flaring up. Making sure your knees don\u2019t hyperextend on landing will keep the impact absorbed throughout the lower limb.<\/p>\n
Tip 6<\/i><\/b>: Don\u2019t blast out too quickly! When the marathon day comes, the crowd around you will feel really slow and it\u2019ll make you want to slalom around them to boost your time. Be very careful! A lot of people get that impatience and end up hitting their wall earlier than expected due to the increase in their speed at the start. Unfortunately its just a part of the big day, try to embrace the surroundings rather than blitz your way through the madness.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
An imbalance will inevitably lead to a problem further down the line when those habits feel much more natural and harder to break.<\/p>\n