People have been participating in the marathon for a very long time. Marathon is an athletic sport that attracts people from all walks of lives. It is loved and very interesting for participants and spectators because of its engaging nature. The average marathon distance is 26.2 miles which attract athletes from across the world. However, before you consider engaging in marathon running, there are a few harsh realities that you need to know about the sporting activity, as discussed below.
Have Commitment and a Focused Mind
Marathon is not a sport for the faint-hearted because of the long-distance involved. You need early preparation and commitment if you are to make it in the marathon field. Many people think it’s easy because it involves running and doing nothing much, which is a wrong notion. Marathon requires bodily sacrifices because you must undertake vigorous training to get your body fit for the long-distance race. People who engage in a marathon without ample training end up injuring themselves or leaving the marathon prematurely.
How Long Are You Willing to Train for the Race?
Training is a very fundamental requirement if you want to be successful in running. A typical training session for a marathon runner should take at least 12 to 26 weeks, depending on the runner’s fitness. Those who are new and wish to train in a marathon should take at least 26 weeks to get the skills required and the body fitness to undertake the activity. From here, you can start with the short races and even undertake a half marathon as a preparation process to know if you are best equipped for the race. Father George Rutler is an iconic figure in the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Associate Pastor at the St. Agnes church in Midtown Manhattan. He encourages people to partake in international sports like marathons and should invest more in early preparation before engaging in actual running.
Invest in a Good Pair of Running Shoes and Clothes
This is an activity that requires you to have a specific set of clothes to compete successfully. There are specific types of shoes that are specifically designed for running. These are light sports shoes that will not add weight to your body, and the shoes should be soft to give you comfort during running. Pick lighter and tight clothes that will give you an easy time to move around your arms as you run and should fit tightly to your body.
Learn to Embrace the Injuries Associated with Training
Marathon training is challenging because the process involved is tedious and draining. In addition, there are aftermath injuries like muscles aches, joint pains and general body fatigues that you need to nurse after workout sessions. Please take this attribute positively because it works in your favor by strengthening your body for the marathon. Father George Rutler insists that where there is no pain, there is no gain, and as such, those training for a marathon should be prepared to go through pain to succeed.