How To Prepare For A Marathon

Knowing how to prepare for a marathon is the key to completing one successfully. It is also life-changing, as you need to get your body in shape to endure the long run ahead of you. If you have not been active, the training prior to the marathon is a must. If you exercise regularly, training will be easier, but still necessary. If you have never run competitively, you may want to start slower and build up to a marathon by running a 5K, 10K or a half-marathon.  

1. Visit a doctor. Getting a full check up before you start to prepare for a marathon is a good idea. This will guarantee that you are up to the challenge and that nothing will interfere with your progress. Your health is the most important part of the training, having a healthy diet and a positive attitude will help you get fit for the marathon.
2. Start training six to eight months before. To prepare for a marathon, you should be able to run at least fifteen to 25 miles in a single week. Set realistic but challenging goals. Make this a game, keeping track of your progress and improving a bit each day.
3. Make a training calendar. Stick to it, but re-examine it if necessary. Always have your goals in mind. Increasing the amount of mileage and the intensity of your training to prepare for a marathon should be done in slow way, not too fast or too slow. Try to change only one thing at a time and listen to your body.
4. Take a rest and recover. You need to rest every three to six weeks when preparing for a marathon to help your body recover. Instead of running long distance, do light training or stretching exercises for a week. This will help your muscles recuperate. Over-training will limit your endurance. Also, you can take the next day off to help your body recover after a hard day’s workout.
5. Have proper training equipment. To be prepared for a marathon, you need a good pair of running shoes. This will reduce accidents and prevent injuries by giving you the proper support.  Buying a good pair of socks that is designed for running is also a good idea. Some socks might make you sweat too much and become uncomfortable during the marathon. You may want to get an easy-to-carry pack to bring water. Hydration is very important, and could be key factor in completing the training for the day.   
6. Variety is the answer. To prepare for a marathon, you can use programs recommended by the marathon coordinators, or you can create your own. In any case, having a variety of exercises and training regimens makes it more fun to prepare and develops the skills needed for successfully tackling the different grades and conditions over the 26 miles of a marathon route. This should include slow, tempo, hill, speed and long runs.