Everything You Need to Know Before You Run Your First Marathon

So you’re thinking about running a marathon. Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry! What can seem like an unrealistic bucket-list item is actually very attainable if you play it smart.

Step One: Choose a marathon.

There are a million things to consider when it comes to choosing which marathon to run. You’ll need to think about each marathon’s location, weather, the degree of difficulty, etc. Will you be training someplace flat? You might not want to sign up for Boston and take on the notorious Heartbreak Hill. Training at sea level? You probably won't enjoy trying 26.2 for the first time in Colorado Springs.

Step Two: Book your accommodations.

If your marathon is in New York or LA, you probably don't have to worry about hotels filling up, but smaller cities will become flooded with runners, so you want to make sure you book your stay early. You should also think about making your reservation for your pre-race day dinner sooner rather than later. It's not unusual to walk into a restaurant the night before the race and see it filled up with other runners.

Step Three: Gear up!

If this is your first time doing serious distance running, you might have an image of a thinner, fitter you, looking gorgeous on your runs, but let me give you a reality check: When you're running over thirty miles a week in prep, function will beat out fashion.

Every. Single. Time.

Nobody looks cute running with a water belt or squeezing gels into their mouth, but looking like a dork beats heat stroke. To start, you will need a great pair of sneakers. I recommend going to a store that specializes in running shoes where you can talk to an expert about what you need for your specific feet and anatomy. Eventually, you will also need to start running with water. I usually take water for any run longer than ten miles. For my longest long runs, I run with a FuelBelt that holds four bottles, and for middle distances, I stuff one or two bottles in an expandable belt that can also hold gels, keys, or whatever else you need.

Fanny packs are making a comeback… right?

Step Four: Choose a training program and curb your expectations.

This is probably the step that will make or break your experience.

When I started training for my first marathon, I was given the advice that my only goal should be to finish, and in hindsight, I couldn't agree more. In 2016, the average time it took an American to run a marathon was right around 4:30. Just think about that for a second. Four hours and thirty minutes of running. What you're asking your body to do is hard, and if you’re giving yourself enough time to train (anywhere between 12 and 20 weeks), the initial giddiness of signing up and buying all your new running stuff is going to wear off well before marathon day.

Set yourself up for success by being realistic about the athlete you are today, and the athlete you will be on race day. In all likelihood you won’t be setting any world records, so don’t decide you have to break a four-hour marathon if you don't have a legitimate reason to think that's realistic. Don't plan to run six days a week if you've barely been running once a week until now. Choose a program that is achievable, not aspirational. A marathon is literally a marathon and not a sprint. If you try to train like you’re Eliud Kipchoge, chances are you’ll burn out before race day.

Step Five: It’s not just the running.

If you're a 17-year-old boy, you can skip this step, but everyone else, listen up!

Unfortunately, you can't expect your body to perform at a high level if you aren't taking care of it. Pay attention to what you eat, how much you eat, and how you feel. Pay attention to how much sleep you need. Do your runs go better in the morning or at night? It is inevitable that during your training process you're going to have to turn down plans the night before your long run or refuse a slice of cake the day before your speed workout. Running dozens of miles every week takes time, which means some sacrifice. To reap the reward of all of your hard work, you can't cap off every long run with 3,000 calories of pasta and an ice cream sundae. It will be tough for your body to get quicker and stronger if you weigh it down with crap or asking it to move you 16 miles after four hours of sleep. You do have my full permission to fantasize about the meal you will have after you finish your race, but until then, have some respect for the incredible burden you're putting on your body.

Step Six: But it is just running!

Whatever your personal motivation is to run a marathon, remember that you voluntary signed up and paid for it. It's supposed to be fun and rewarding. It should be a positive experience and an enjoyable challenge. It's amazing to feel your body doing things it couldn't do months earlier, and finishing a marathon is a feeling like none other. With all this in mind… If you're miserable:

STOP.

It's okay.

Really.

You are going to miss training runs and fail others. Don’t beat yourself up for running slowly or having to walk. Don’t hurt yourself over a random training run you could easily reschedule. Finally, if you feel like you had no idea what you were getting yourself into, then feel free to quit altogether. You're an adult—it's your prerogative to walk away from things that are not making you happy. There are so many other amazing races all around the country that can be just as rewarding as a marathon. I know plenty of incredible runners who have no interest in ever running a marathon and are more than happy to shake their heads as we embark on yet another 6 AM long run. After all, the original marathoner, Pheidippides, died at the finish line. Why would anyone think it’s a good idea?