(Image: Pixabay)
You may have entered your first marathon this year, and no matter how much you prepare beforehand, it’s nearly impossible to anticipate exactly what will happen on the day.
There are many runs taking place across Yorkshire and beyond this year, and there’s a fair chance a great many newcomers have chosen one to be their first official event.
In 2023, over 10,000 people took part in the Rob Burrow Leeds marathon with this year’s event set to be even larger. Then there’s the London marathon, which is taking place on April 21, and attracts around 48,000 runners from all over the globe.
26.2 miles is a daunting distance, but the challenge can be part of the enjoyment – take it from these marathon veterans, who have come together to share their first-hand advice and knowledge.
‘Plan your fluid intake properly – and find a running buddy’
The piece of advice I’d would give anyone starting their marathon journey would be find a friend to run with.
Not only does it become a social thing, but when you make a commitment to go for a run with someone you always go, whatever the weather, and don’t make an excuse to stay in. That’s by far the best way to make sure you do your training miles.
And on the day of the race, plan your fluid – and food or gel – intake. I didn’t, it was the one thing I didn’t prepare properly. So, late in the run I drank too much, including an isotonic drink, that I then threw back up!
Dave, 61, Nun Monkton.
‘Training can be lonely and long’
The main thing I wish I’d known was how the training would be. It can be lonely and long – it’s very hard and it’s a serious commitment.
But crossing the finish line with my daughter negated all the hard work. I was just so proud of her, and to share the experience together.
Simon, 59, Harrogate.
‘Check the route to work out the difficult parts’
(Image: Pixabay)
I ran the Manchester marathon in 2017 and really wish I checked the route in more detail. I actually ran on the day without earphones because it said there would be crowds and didn’t recommend them.
The route went out of Manchester city centre so on the 20 – 21st mile or so there was a long stretch of running by fields with no spectators, water stops or people handing out sweets and I was pretty close to stopping because I was tired and lacked motivation.
If I checked the route, I would have probably known this would be the most difficult part. I also wish I’d done longer training runs – the extra 10 miles on the day was killer.
Nick, 28, Leeds.
‘The support of fellow runners and the crowd is the best motivation’
There’s a special energy on event days, and everyone gets behind the runners which is the best motivation to keep going.
It’s hard to explain how much it actually helps though, you really have to experience it. Whether it’s a runner giving you words of encouragement or the crowd cheering you on, it can be the difference between pushing on or stopping.
Lydia, 44, Ripon.
‘Invest in a quality set of headphones that will last the whole run’
I wish I’d known to invest in a pair of wireless headphones that had a longer battery life, as mine died around mile 19 or 20.
For me, this was the stage of the marathon where I was really struggling and only being able to hear shoes pounding the floor and my heavy breathing was even more mind-numbing.
Tom, 22, York.
‘You have to sacrifice a lot of hours but completing it makes every second worth it’
(Image: Pixabay)
No amount of training can truly prepare you for how challenging a marathon is. Every inch of your body will tell you to stop, but knowing you can overcome that is pretty monumental.
It’s a real commitment and you have to be prepared to sacrifice a lot of hours to train. But, ultimately, it’s an endurance sport – it’s not meant to be easy – and knowing you’ve completed it makes every second of training worth it.
Also if possible, do the marathon with someone else. Training can get lonely and it’s hard to keep only yourself motivated. I wouldn’t have even signed up for a marathon if it wasn’t for my dad, let alone have crossed the finish line without him running it by my side.
Flora, 24, Harrogate.
‘My friend said marathons were addictive, and she was right’
I wish I’d known that my experienced runner friend Kate was right, and that running marathons is addictive, when I said I was only going to do one.
Now 14 marathons later I realise how important that was. Although you have to train hard and running 26 miles is a long way, just finishing one gives you a real sense of achievement and the pain is quickly forgotten.
Nev, 60, North Yorkshire.
Read more:
