With the @londonmarathon fast approaching and most tapers beginning, we thought we would provide you with some of our top tips for making sure you get the most out of your marathon experience…
You will likely have a target time or pace in mind based on your training. However, you must stick to it and run well within yourself for the first half. It is easy to get carried away, and the adrenaline from the crowds and hearing your family and friends on the road, so be thoughtful!
Tough patches are inevitable in a marathon. They may come earlier than you think, so it’s good to think about how you will overcome them with positive self-talk and reminding yourself of all the hard work and training you have put in. There is no need to panic if you have done the work, so slow down and allow it to pass.
The overall distance can be daunting, so break it down with process goals. They can be landmarks along with the way or distance markers, e.g. every 5km, where you can treat yourself to your favourite fuel that you are carrying or the drink stations along the course.
Fuel little and often. Suppose you have eaten and hydrated well in the 48hrs before your glycogen stores will be optimised, but you will still need to drink and fuel along the way. Try to sip at drinks at regular intervals and take on some fuel either in the form of a sports drink or gel/sweets at least once every hour.
Make sure you enjoy it! We all know the marathon is challenging, whether you are a seasoned pro or a beginner. However, you can still enjoy it by soaking in the incredible atmosphere along the way and sharing the journey with fellow competitors out on the road. So smile when you start to suffer….if it works for World Marathon Record Holder Eliud Kipchoge, then it is worth trying!