How to Survive a Marathon12 Apr

How to Survive a Marathon

Summer is on its way, and with it comes a whole host of marathons, half-marathons, 10k’s and other running challenges.

These runners will face both physical and mental challenges when tackling them, so we’ve done some research and have put together a few top tips on how to survive your marathon or half-marathon!

Choose your clothing well

Make sure that you choose your marathon outfit carefully. It may not seem like something to worry about but being comfortable and as cool as possible while running is essential! You’ll need decent running clothes – preferably made out of a moisture-wicking material like Nylon. This’ll stop your clothes getting heavy as you sweat more, and mean they’re less likely to chafe too. As part of your training regime, do a trial run in your marathon gear to make sure its comfortable and suitable!

Distract your mind

Everyone’s different but having little distractions throughout the run will make time go quicker. One of the best distractions for many people is listening to music. Put together a playlist before the event (try and make it long enough to last the whole run!), or use an app like Spotify’s Run playlist that serves you songs based on your running speed. If you’re not that into music, a good audiobook or podcast can be another great way to pass the time.

Start off slow

Run the first few miles at a slightly slower pace than you normally would to conserve some extra energy. You can then use that at the end of the race for a strong finish! Taking your time at the start also lets you get your bearings and ease yourself into the challenge ahead.

Eat breakfast

This may seem like an obvious one, but its surprising how many people skip breakfast on a regular basis. Breakfast is the essential way to start the day on the morning of your marathon. Eating a few hours before the start is ideal, giving the nutrients and energy chance to get to work. Eating a carbohydrate-rich breakfast is important. Have toast, cereal, a bagel and a sports bar! It may seem extreme, but making sure you have enough fuel to go on for the race is the main aim of breakfast.

The most important thing to remember that it really is all about taking part. Especially if it’s your first marathon or half-marathon, the main focus is to finish – it’s not all about the time! To finish is a massive achievement in itself and that should be your main focus.

Good luck to anyone taking part in marathons or half-marathons this year! If you’re not signed up for one, we’re running a Marathon Gym Challenge in Brio gyms at the moment, so take a look! You have the month of April to run the distance of a marathon on the treadmill (over multiple visits), and completing the challenge nets you a chance to win a goodie bag! Pop into your local Brio gym to find out more.

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