Why do a Marathon?
According to legend, after the Greeks were victorious over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon they sent a runner to Athens with the news. The runner ran the entire distance to Athens without stopping, announced the victory, and then dropped dead due to the physical stress on his body caused by the long run. This is the very reason why so many websites, trainers and magazines stress the importance of training correctly and ensuring optimum health when signing up for a Marathon.
Annually, more than 800 Marathons are organized worldwide. From novice and elite runners to wheel chair athletes and people of all ages, the exhilarating sense of achievement and community drives so many of us to sign up and commit every year. It is important that you choose the right Marathon for you and the right training programme. And of course you should build up to your first marathon by taking part in shorter races, such as 5k and 10k runs.
Benefits
Running raises HDL (or "good") cholesterol, reduces the risk of blood clots, and encourages use of the 50% of your lungs that usually go unused.
Running strengthens the heart and reduces the risk of heart attacks by strengthening the heart and lowering blood pressure.
Running also boosts the immune system by creating a higher concentration of lymphocytes (white blood cells that attack disease).
Top Tips when preparing for a Marathon
Eat plenty of complex carbohydrates and lots of protein to help your muscles recover. Sleep well, this is when your body recovers and strengthens from the training you have undertaken. Drinks lots of water and try to minimise alcohol intake as this is very dehydrating. Increase core stability, Pilates is great as it not only helps you stretch your muscles but the stronger your core the less you will injure yourself
Warming down is just as important as warming up, stretching is key to avoiding calf and Achilles problems
What should I wear?
Ensure you have the correct trainers for your individual feet and style of running. There are three types of trainer that may be applicable to you, structured, cushioned and max support. In store we analyse the arch of your foot and your pronation pattern in a quick process with specialised equipment. Both of these factors have a direct relationship to how you run and determine what type of footwear is best suited to you, and your running regime. You can also see our trainer guide online to see which trainer suits you the best, click here.
Once you have the correct footwear it is imperative that you choose the correct sports bra. Once again we work both online, see our bra guide, and in store to ensure your individual needs are met in relation to the fit which is extremely important. We stock a range of compression and encapsulation bras, to ensure your best fit. It is vital that when exercising your breasts are supported and held firmly in place, wearing a sports bra during your workout will reduce detrimental movement by 74%.
Your kit should be technical as this will provide you with necessary support, increase your performance rate and ensure maximum comfort throughout the entirety of your training and on Marathon day! Look out for technical qualities such as: sweat wicking, seamless, anti-bacterial, breathable, and compression panels.
You should remember to always wear socks when running as without them you can experience painful sores that will hinder your performance and ability to train.
Finally, when training on dark winter nights, a runner can often become invisible so ensure you are kitted out with safety in mind. Reflective clothing, high visibility vests and flashing blinker arm bands allow you to be seen whilst on your run.
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My First Half Marathonby trulyjess11,847 views
Hello friend...Greg
gboard17 7 months ago