Marathon training is a journey. There are highs and lows, and everything in between. If you haven't cried or bailed on a long run once, was it really a marathon training cycle?
As my own training block comes to a close I've noticed many first-time or newer marathoners (mostly those heading to Chicago and NYC) starting to panic about or question their training and having doubts about their race.
Full stop, friends. Every multi-time marathoner you know started somewhere and experienced, and sometimes still does experience, the same feelings.
Starting running in general can be hard. Signing up for a marathon can be daunting. Opening the door and getting out there every morning can feel tedious. The first mile might feel the worst.
But nothing compares to the last few weeks of training. The taper brings out the worst in us runners (that's my opinion but I'm willing to bet a survey of other runners might have a high agreement rate). We're moody, irritable, feeling phantom pains, starving, exhausted, basically overgrown toddlers.
Here are three of my favorite tips first-time marathoners need to know to end their marathon training cycle strong:
1. Trust your training.
100% easier said than done. You put the work in. You practiced 80/20 and 30/30/30 (rule of thirds). You ran your easy runs easy and hard runs hard. You went long every weekend and practiced your fueling. You powered through the tough runs and savored ones that felt easy.
NYC run coach Estee Gabel says, "Your training was so much more than just improving your physical fitness. You learned about your emotional limits (and pushed past them), you learned about which flavor gel is the easiest to swallow (and the ones you simply can’t bear), you learned what sacrifices you were capable of making in order to progress toward your goals. Every decision you made for weeks is a brick in the foundation you built for race day. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be great and it will be great!"
2. Keep fueling.
Now is not the time to skip meals or revert to pre-training eating habits. As you get closer to peak week and the taper, your body needs more fuel and nutrients than before.
It's usually inevitable that you'll gain a little weight during a marathon build. And your body may change the stronger you get! Embrace that your body is going to take you over 26.2 miles so be sure to give it what it needs to do so.
As you taper, you'll start to lower your weekly mileage and long runs, but your body still needs to recover from the 15+ weeks of work you put in to stay healthy for race day.
Stock up on protein, healthy fats, simple and complex carbs, and fresh fruits and veggies so you have easy-to-make meals, and extra snacks, easily available.
3. Surround yourself with other marathoners
Training for marathons takes a lot of discipline. Don't lose your race before it even starts by going out and partying like normal. Trust from my experience that the party will still be there once you cross the finish line.
Instead, hang with your marathon friends. The ones who understand why you want to do dinner early and be in bed by 8:30 PM (because sleep is key to recovery!). People who want to eat lots of yummy yet nutritious food to fuel their bodies. Runners who will hype you up and help you get excited about your race and calm your nerves.
You made it through almost 18 weeks of training, don't give up or doubt yourself now. Envision the vibes of race weekend and the excitement of crossing the finish line.
See you on the road!
XO,
Lynette
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