Nov
Top 10 Marathon Training Errors
Top 10 Marathon Training Errors
10 Running all the time
9 Overhydrating
8 Getting in the car
7 Throwing in “junk miles”
6 Using the same ol’ shoes
5 Blaming the shoe
4 >10%
3 Beating the competition
2 Being unprepared for race day
1 Not having fun
10 Running all the time
Cross train and get strong. Throw in a “non-run” workout at least once a week. Lifting weights is best to help prevent injuries.
9 Overhydrating
Drinking too much water will dilute the salts in your blood, resulting in “hyponatremia” or low blood sodium. The official advice from the American Marathon Medical Directors Association is to “Drink what you’re thirsty for.”
8 Getting in the car
Many T in T workouts end with the gang hanging out in the parking lot. THIS IS YOUR TIME TO STRETCH. If you only stretch once a day, do it at the end of your workout. Don’t get in the car until you have done your stretching.
7 Throwing in “junk miles”
When you feel good, do not do more miles than your coach tells you to do. Instead use the energy to raise your funds or spend time with your family.
6 Using the same ol’ shoes
Get fresh running shoes about every 300 miles… it’s cheaper than a trip to the orthopaedist.
5 Blaming the shoe
Getting new shoes won’t fix all your running aches. If something hurts for more than 3 days, talk with a Sports Medicine provider.
4 >10%
Do not increase your long runs by more than 10-20% per week. If you get blisters, you are doing too much too soon. Blisters are an external sign of overtraining.
3 Beating the competition
The goal of your first marathon is to beat the distance; not the clock, and definitely not the competition.
2 Being unprepared for race day
Get plenty of sleep and carbohydrates the 3 days before the main event. Also, don’t try and new foods or techniques during this time. Show up early on race morning with extra pins (for your race number); old clothes that you can shed as the temperature warms; toilet paper; Vaseline for chafed skin; sunglasses, hat, gloves, sunblock….
1 Not having fun
If you heart is not in it, take a few days off from training. Then, have fun or go home!
