How Can I Run a Marathon?

It’s fair to say that around the time of the big televised marathons, people’s interest in running one is dramatically increased. If you’ve ever wondered ‘how can I run a marathon’ and push myself like those runners do, then don’t be put off, you’re only seeing the end result of many weeks of training.

Nobody is born able to run a marathon, everyone needs to start somewhere. The secret is to begin slowly, gradually increasing the distances you can run and the speeds you run at. It is very important to make progress and consistently improve.

The successful runners who manage to complete a marathon simply applied themselves to following a regular marathon training schedule and consistently took the steps needed to improve their fitness and endurance levels up to the point where they could run 26.2 miles in one go.

Before you even don your running shoes it is important to set some specific, time framed goals. Being able to run 1 mile without stopping in 3 weeks time might be a good goal for you or simply sticking to a schedule might a good goal.

Make sure you set a series of smaller targets along the way to completing your ultimate goal of running a marathon. Other measurable goals are to run 3 times a week, eat regular meals or increasing the distance you can run. These are just a few examples of specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time framed goals.

The next stage is to design yourself a marathon training schedule or buy one from a reputable source. My own training guide - ‘Marathon Training For Beginners’ is an ideal choice. Whichever option you choose, it should involve learning exactly how your body changes during the course of your training so you can safely avoid potential injuries caused through doing too much, too little or a lack of adequate rest.

Thirdly you need to ensure that your running shoes are appropriate for the way you run. Wearing unsuitable footwear could cause potentially long term damage to joints, ligaments and tendons. Areas particularly susceptible to injury caused through bad footwear are the knees, ankles and lower back.

Finally the last piece in the puzzle is that you absolutely must take regular and progressive action. This final stage is the point at which most people give up. Without putting in the practise or following a balanced and effective marathon training schedule you won’t see the changes you should be doing.

If you want to learn how to run a marathon and how much training you need to do in order to accomplish this goal, it really is vitally important that you understand how all the pieces fit together. Once you’ve done this and got the knowledge, you’ll be wondering when can I run a marathon instead of ‘how can I run a marathon.’