Training for a marathon, half-marathon, or even a relay marathon can be daunting for any runner, regardless of your experience. The good news for every runner is that there are proven marathon training methods that we support, and have even successfully tried ourselves. Don’t be concerned about being in the best shape for the Colorado Marathon, we’ve got plenty of advice for the first-time marathon runner to the seasoned veteran.
Timing
We think it’s pretty important to start your marathon training well in advance. If you haven’t started training yet, get up and start today! Based on our experience, most runners begin their marathon training 12-20 weeks in advance. We just passed the 16-week countdown until The Colorado Marathon, which is why we’ve started our monthly training runs! If you’re local to Northern Colorado and want to join us, check out our Facebook page for group run events. If you live outside of Colorado, click here to find a local running group in your community making training easier (and more fun!).
Type of Training
In general, it is best to start your marathon training at a lower intensity for shorter periods of time. Over the weeks that you continue training, it’s commonly advised to slowly increase your running intensity, speed, and exertion while simultaneously upping the volume of your workouts. If you’re looking for a more specific marathon training program, check out this article with a downloadable PDF running schedule from Women’s Running Magazine.
Setting Your Goals
Everyone has a different goal when running a marathon; whether it’s to break a personal record, or to be able to finish without an injury, marathon training is extremely important. Our Title Sponsor, Kaiser Permanente, has broken down the best advice on marathon training through their webinar about getting fit for the race. From periodization to injury prevention, Kaiser Permanente will help you train and get in shape for the race!
Nutrition
In order to properly prepare for a marathon or a half-marathon, running shouldn’t be the only thing on your mind. Maintaining a consistently healthy diet is crucial to meeting your running goals all year round, but especially when you’re training for a big race. A well-balanced diet of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber along with whatever hydration you choose (we love Nuun!) will keep your marathon training on the right track. Learn more about nutrition from Kaiser Permanente here!
There are a lot of ways to keep up with your training, including other local races like Fort Collins’ Sharin’ O’ the Green on March 17th. As a participant in the Colorado Marathon, you have the opportunity use the code MENTOR to get 10% off your registration for this 5K that benefits Partners Mentoring Youth. We wish you the best in your next few weeks of marathon training for The Colorado Marathon on May 6, 2018. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay in-the-know on upcoming group training runs, marathon information, and more! Also, make sure to register today if you haven’t already done so.