1. Ties to Athens
Marathon races are long-distance races that are typically 26.2 miles long. The marathon has been around since ancient Grecian times and continues to be a favorite Olympic sport. Marathon races are popular amongst runners worldwide. Both men and women participate in marathon races, and much pride and feelings of great accomplishment come from completing a race. A Greek soldier named Pheidippides was the first to complete a marathon as he ran from Marathon to Athens, Greece in 490 B.C. to spread the news of defeat of the Persians.
2. Doctor's Orders
As it is with any new sport you want to fully participate in, it's important to first visit your doctor for a checkup before you begin to train for marathon races. Some people discover they can't run in marathon races once they visit with their doctor due to health risks, such as heart problems and the propensity for stress fractures. Discovered health risks may come as a surprise and disappointment to people wanting to race, but it's important to listen to your doctor's advice before participating in any type of exercise.
3. Take One Step at a Time
Training may seem slow at first for beginning marathon runners. However, you have to gradually build up your stamina and get used to running such a long distance. For one, it's not necessary to run every day. Training just four times a week is enough to prepare for marathon races. Start out with shorter distances and add a little more to your distance each week. Don't forget to take breaks from training from time to time though. Also, although jogging shorter distances is a way to ready yourself for marathon races, push yourself towards long runs. Your body needs to understand what's expected of it even if that means walking a lot at first to get used to long distances.
4. Important to Energize With Essential Fuel
Eat healthy to stay in good physical shape for marathon races. No matter how much a runner trains, if they don't eat the right foods, they will not only lose important muscle mass but will also be prone to illness and injury. Further, without continuous energy from whole foods, such as complex carbohydrates, a runner can't run for long periods of time. Calories are depleted quickly in long distance running, and you want to build muscle and endurance during training, not lose energy or collapse and destroy muscle tissue.
5. Always Care for Your Running Vessel
Avoid injury by not only eating correctly but also by remaining vigilant about physically caring for your body. For instance, regular stretching before and after exercise will prevent muscle pulls, strains and tears as well as sprains. Stretching also warms up the body overall and makes it better prepared for activity. Also, stop and think before you use your body for various activities, such as jumping from a high place or picking up something extra heavy like furniture. Wash your hands a lot to avoid viruses and bacteria. It can be very disheartening to train for months for a marathon race only to come down with an ailment the day before the race.
