I started reading Be Your Best at Marathon Running by Tim Rogers about a week ago and I could not put it down. There is something about reading about running that makes me want to run...
This book has a lot of useful information regarding running your first marathon. Since I have already completed three marathons I found a lot of the information to be a repeat to what I already know. But it never hurts to have a refresher course. And since I never read anything the first, second or even third go at running a marathon, this is a very informative book to me. There were a lot of things that I didn't take into consideration and a lot of things I wish I had known then.
But I can't go back and learn then what I know now. So I will continue to read, continue to learn and continue to run. And in doing those three things I will continue to improve.
So far I have made it through about a third of the book and am ready to share what I have learned up to this point. As with all books I review on here I want to highly suggest reading this book. There is so much information in this book that it would be impossible for me to include it all here without typing the book word for word. Instead I have included highlighted parts from each section that I personally found the most useful as well as my top 5 from the books "10 Things to Remember" at the end of each section.
Chapter One: Are you up to it?
Top tips & Insight:
"Be prepared to make major lifestyle changes and make sure that those closest to you totally support your efforts."
"If you don't commit the time to your training you will have a thoroughly miserable race day and potentially not even finish."
"Although it's not advisable to carry out too many of your training runs on a treadmill, it's a good alternative and obviously better than skipping your training session completely."
"If you are really struggling to get out on a training run, apply the two-minute rule. Say to yourself 'I am just going to run for two minutes' and then make the decision to continue or not. I guarantee you'll find that once you have started, you'll continue and complete your session."
"The secret to successful fundraising is a simple one- start early. If you begin your fundraising as soon as possible and continue to have it uppermost in your thoughts from the minute you sign up, right up until race day, then you are far more likely to achieve your target."
Things to Remember
1. You will be able to complete the marathon distance if you are committed, focused and train correctly.
2. Training for a marathon won't just impact on you, it will affect many others greatly.
3. You need to commit to your training plan- you must be committed from day one and regard it as your bible right up until race day.
4. Sometimes you'll need to be selfish- you'll need to have a singular focus throughout your quest to run a marathon in order to succeed.
5. Dietary changes are inevitable. You'll need to be prepared to reduce your alcohol and fatty foods, and increase carbohydrate-rich sources.
Chapter Two: Choosing your first marathon and getting a place
Top tips & Insight:
"Don't underestimate how much motivation you will glean from spectators on race day; support from the crowd can be the difference between completing the marathon distance or not. It's hard not to carry on running when you hear shouts of encouragement and applause from all around."
"Choose a charity with a cause with a cause that touches you personally, or that is close to your heart. This will not only make a positive difference to your fundraising, but, and more importantly, will give you that extra drive to commit to training, and will greatly enhance your experience on race day."
Things to Remember:
1. Define what you most want to achieve from completing a marathon. This will help you choose the most appropriate event for you.
2. Your choice of event should not be a flippant one, take time to make this decision.
3. If you do run for a charity, try to choose a cause that has a personal connection. This will help your fundraising, training and enhance your race day experience.
4. If you do run for a charity, training and fundraising aren't exclusive goals: it's a dual challenge.
5. Bigger events can be harder to get a place in, but the crowd support will be immense and can be the difference between completing the distance or not.
Chapter Three: You're in, now what?
Top tips & Insight:
"It is important to keep a training log and monitor your progress against a series of short-, medium- and long term goals."
"The sooner you get your mind to work on focusing on smaller challenges that lead toward to an overall goal, the better. This is the key to marathon training and running on the day, to break the challenge down to manageable sections, which you tackle on by one."
"You are not alone in your marathon challenge and making a connection with others aspiring for the same goal is very important. Blogs are one of the best ways to monitor training and network with others, you can exchange advice, highs and lows from the very start of your training right through to race day, and beyond."
"Because running is seen comparatively as a 'simple' sport, and not requiring vast amounts of equipment, many people underestimate the importance of appropriate kit. Yes, to start a career in running is straightforward, requiring a few key items- but these items need to be fit for the purpose and suit of your needs."
Things to Remember:
1. Get a medical check-up to ensure you have the 'all clear' to start your training.
2. Choose a training plan and stick to it.
3. Talk things through with family and friends and start to plan how to fit your training into your current lifestyle and commitments.
4. Start a training log or blog to track your progress.
5. Enjoy the experience; be excited about the challenge ahead of you.
Chapter Four: The right gear
Top tips & Insight:
"If you choose the right gear, you will enjoy your running much more. Adapt to the conditions and invest!"
"When you try on any item of kit before buying, take a few running steps or at least mimic a running action to get an idea of how it'll feel. You might feel a bit silly, but doing this will help you choose comfortable kit that is right for you."
"Reflective snap bands are really useful and versatile; they simply snap around your wrists, upper arms or ankles and instantly add a reflective quality to any item of your running kit."
"Kit that you like wearing, or look forward to wearing, will have an impact on your willingness to train. You are far more likely to get out on your planned training runs in kit you feel excited about wearing."
"Remember at the peak of your training you'll be running for well over three hours. Bear this is mind when you are selecting any item of gear, a slightly scratchy cuff after ten minutes can become a nightmare situation two hours into a long training run."
"Fast-paced music can instantly raise the heart rate and give you an energy boost just when you're starting to flag- and it can also help you to sustain your rhythm, when you can literally exercise in step with the music."
Things to Remember:
1. The right kit will make you run better, prevent injuries, keep you safe and make you feel good.
2. The most expensive doesn't necessarily mean the best, although more often than not you get what you pay for.
3. When buying your shoes get your gait analyzed.
4. Layering several thinner garments is the best way to protect you from the cold.
5. Look for kit made from fabrics that are described as 'wicking' and 'breathable'.
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