The secret to completing your first marathon is training. A successful marathon training has three factors: being extremely motivated, training properly and maintaining proper nutrition.

So how do you get started?
Before you sign up for a marathon, start training or even consult a doctor, know everything you need to know about marathons and training for it. More than anything else, you should know that marathons test your physical limits and endurance. It is above all things, a mind challenge. You should be able to control your mind over what your body says, and in the process push your body to what it can really do. Signing up for a marathon is like planning for a trip. You really need to prepare for it. If you want to be able to finish it, experts advise at least six months of training, especially if you are a novice runner.

Consult your doctor and ask for the go-signal to start training for the marathon. Your doctor might advise you on what you need to be cautious about. Once you have the go signal, you would need to invest in the proper running equipment. When running marathons, you need two things: clothes and running shoes. Buying running shoes can get complicated. First you would need to consider your foot type, foot strike and stride pattern. You can consult a podiatrist for this. Better yet, purchase your shoes from a store that specializes in running shoes. Most salespersons there are trained to identify your foot type, strike and pattern and can recommend the shoes you need. Take note that you will need at least two pairs of shoes for your training until your complete the marathon. Running shoes lose their ability to absorb shock after 350 miles.

Most running injuries happen because athletes do too much too soon. Start slow. Establish your fitness base first. You can minimize the stress (or focus) on your knees and legs by doing other sports, like swimming, after running. Be flexible with your training.

While training your should also maintain proper nutrition. It’s as simple as this – “The better you eat, the better you will perform”. Eat complex and good carbohydrates as these are stored in your muscles as glycogen which is responsible for keeping you up and energized. Its depletion is equivalent to fatigue.

Once you have clothes and shoes, you can now start training. Do not forget the importance of stretching and warm-up exercises. Stretching after you run is as important as stretching before you run. Before beginning a 16-week training program, start running regularly for at least 30 minutes without stopping. If that would be too much for you, try an 8-week program to condition yourself better. Most programs require you to run for four days a week. A typical program requires you to run for two consecutive days followed by a day of rest and then the schedule is repeated.

Staying motivated is the greatest challenge when training for a marathon. As I have said, marathons are primarily a mental game. Stay focused, be disciplined and preserve. Then watch yourself cross the finish line!

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AbieL, a professional blogger for more than five years, is currently engaged in a new writing project for Business Opportunities Expo and You Love Coupons where she writes articles about norton 360 renewal code and coupon for godaddy.