3 Tips to Stay on Track for Your Next Marathon

Training for a marathon takes months of guts, determination, dedication and a ton of good luck. Racing a marathon takes all of those components and crams it into just 26.2 miles. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the final few hours before your race when--all of a sudden--you get that feeling in your stomach that tells you that your body now realizes that the big event is about to happen.

Transform that feeling from fear into positive action, making sure that you run to your fitness potential on your marathon day.

Nerves Are Your Friends

Let's start with that feeling in your gut. It's not a bad thing -- it's a sign that your body has finally synced with your mind. Now everyone is on the same page: the race is almost here and we have some work to do. The key, of course, it parlaying this heightened awareness into optimal performance.

The best way to do this is to give direction to this new energy; without direction you'll end up wandering the race expo or frittering away valuable time and focus.

Here are three key things you can do before your next marathon to stay on point.

1. Pack Your Race Morning Bag

This bag has everything you'll need for your race (save for what you will be wearing). In addition to your race shoes and socks, you'll want to include any or all of the following items:

  • Gloves,
  • Hat/visor
  • Nipple guards
  • Sunglasses
  • Gel/race nutrition
  • Sports drink to sip
  • A small pre-race snack (if required)
  • Toilet paper (never know)
  • Cell phone
  • Music and/or reading materials
  • Alternative warmer/cooler gear in case of last minute weather.

Remember this bag is often your finish line bag, so have room to put the clothes you have on into it (or at least include some warmer items for post race).

2. Review (or Create) Your Race Pace Plan

Knowing that you want to run a sub-four hour marathon is a goal, not a plan. A plan is what you expect to have to do between miles 1 and 26.2 to make it there by the four hour mark. Don't confuse the two.
A good race pace plan is more than just dividing four hours by 26.2 miles.

A good plan will allow for a smart start to your race, will take the terrain into consideration, and will have you ready to tackle the final 10K (6.2 miles) of your race. Experienced runners can leverage past racing experience to clearly identify the smartest strategy; newer runners will have to make their best possible guess and then stick to it.
Classic marathon mistakes include:

  • A fast first 10K that is way beyond your ability.
  • Missed early nutrition due to excitement or confusion.
  • Inability to adapt to changing weather or personal condition.
  • Poor last-minute equipment choices that prematurely end race day.
  • Zero preparation for the mental and physical challenge that is the last 10K.
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