Three Things To Think About Before Taking On A Marathon In 2023
If you’re looking for a new physical challenge to improve your physical wellbeing over the next 12 months, then it’s very likely you’ll have thought about running a marathon. It’s a challenge many consider in their lives, and if the right amount of training and commitment is put into it, then anyone can do it.
However, there are some caveats to that, and there are also many things you should think about before taking on a marathon. So, if you are thinking about doing one in 2023, then here are five things to think about…
Do you have the time?
Dedicating time to a marathon is hugely important, otherwise you won’t have the fitness to complete it and it can be pretty destroying making your way round that course, both physically and mentally.
Look at your schedule, and assess whether you have the time to put the hours of training in, and where exactly you can fit it in. Many people use Sundays as their long run days, but you need to be running at least four times per week, with a good chunk of hours committed to the long run days so you can fit in up to 20 miles in a morning or afternoon as you build up to raceday.
Are you healthy enough, and can you change your diet?
It’s important that your body gets the right nutrients when training for a marathon, so examine your diet and what you may need to change in order to ensure your body is ready to take on the challenge.
Many people who suffer from the likes of alcohol addiction struggle at this point, as it just isn’t conducive to running long distances for many reasons. Examine your relationship with alcohol, and understand whether you need help with that, which can be a challenge in itself. A marathon is often the sort of challenge people who have been through a private rehab centre take on as they look to get their life back on track with a real sense of achievement.
Where do you want to do it?
The location of your first marathon especially, can be instrumental in finding the motivation and making it an event to remember. Think about things such as the number of hills on the course, as well as the temperature and time of year. For example, doing a marathon in early spring will mean much of your training will be done during the winter months. Are you ok with that?
For those that struggle with motivation, a good hack can be to book to do a marathon abroad, meaning you have to pay for flights, accommodation and the event itself. This is an extra level of commitment that can often get you over the line when it comes to those long days of training.