7 Tips For Building A Customized Marathon Training Plan

By Cynthia Davis


The joy of marathons is not winning unless you are a professional athlete. It lies in crossing the line and helping a worthy course. You do not want to end up in hospital for weeks yet you were only running for charity. With a customized marathon training plan you are sure to finish the race and still manage that selfie at the finish mark. Here are professional tips to follow.

Determine the date, time and situation of your upcoming race. The time you have to prepare will determine the intensity with which to train. With a longer period, you need light workout that will keep your body fit and energetic till the d-day. If the time is short, a quick workout program will do you a lot of good.

Since you are not a professional athlete, you need to find time within your schedule to workout. You need to be free and settled in body and mind. Rushing through the program exposes you to the risk of a shoddy job. You might fail to focus on crucial muscles and thus be unprepared on the material day. This could even cause injuries as you workout or during the day of the race.

Write down the schedule to build commitment. Be realistic with your planning since this will give you the motivation you need to achieve your goals. You may register or download marathon training apps that come with reminders and features to track your progress. The program does not have to be repetitive. It should involve a few cycles to ensure that all elements of fitness are covered.

There are obvious days where you will not manage to train. This could be because of work commitments, family, availability of facilities, coach, etc. They should be entered into the schedule as rest days other than be wasted. They give your body a perfect opportunity to regain energy. This enables you to take maximum advantage of the time left before race day.

Register and participate in tune-up races before your main event. This is psychological, physical and mental workout in preparation for the big day. Your performance on the charity race, fun day, anniversary run, etc will help you learn about the level of endurance the body can take. Watch the response of your body and discuss it with your coach and doctor. In case of negative response like pain, the professionals will take corrective measures.

Have a buildup plan that is different from ordinary training. It involves rest and target workouts in order to build energy reserves for the big day. The buildup is best organized with the assistance of your coach. Throughout the program, ensure that you have sufficient rest days. Monitor your health over the entire period.

To effectively train for a marathon, you must be conversant with the route. Identify climbs, flats and slops. Mark the areas you can run, jog or even walk. It helps to have a training compatriot to encourage you. Remember to eat foods that will provide you with the energy you require so much and also hydrate your body.




About the Author: