Right then, you’re thinking about running a marathon! Whether you’ve been inspired by watching the London Marathon on telly or your mate Steve won’t shut up about his marathon medal, you’re about to embark on quite the journey. Grab yourself a brew, and let’s chat about everything marathon-related.

First Things First: What Are You Getting Yourself Into?

A marathon is 26.2 miles (or 42.2km for those who prefer metric). Why the random .2? Well, back in 1908 at the London Olympics, the royal family wanted to watch the start from Windsor Castle, which added that extra bit to make it 26.2 miles. True story! And we’ve been running that exact distance ever since.

The Training Commitment: Let’s Be Honest

Right, here’s the reality check – training for a marathon is basically like taking on a part-time job. You’re looking at:

  • 16-20 weeks of dedicated training
  • 4-5 runs per week
  • One long run every weekend (your new Sunday morning ritual)
  • About 30-40 miles per week at peak training

Don’t let this scare you off though! The journey from your first training run to crossing that finish line is absolutely brilliant, even with all the early morning runs and questionable weather conditions.

Your Training Plan: The Basics

Here’s what a typical week might look like when you’re in full marathon training mode:

  • Tuesday: Easy run (45-60 minutes)
  • Wednesday: Speed work or tempo run
  • Thursday: Rest or cross-training
  • Saturday: Easy run (45-60 minutes)
  • Sunday: The Long Run™ (building up gradually from 8 miles to 20-22 miles)

The legendary “Long Run” deserves special mention. It’s your weekly chance to practice everything – your pace, your nutrition, your playlist, and your ability to not get lost in random neighbourhoods.

The Kit: What You Actually Need

Let’s talk essential kit (because who doesn’t love a bit of shopping?):

Must-Haves:

  • Proper running trainers (get fitted at a proper running shop)
  • Running socks (normal cotton ones = blisters galore)
  • Comfortable running clothes (nothing new on race day!)
  • Anti-chafing cream (trust me on this one)
  • Running watch or phone app

Nice-to-Haves:

  • Foam roller (your new best friend/worst enemy)
  • Running belt or pack for long runs
  • Weather-appropriate gear (British weather = all the layers)

Nutrition: Fuelling the Machine

Marathon nutrition is a bit of an art form. Here’s the basic breakdown:

Training Diet:

  • Plenty of good carbs (pasta night is now a legitimate training strategy)
  • Lean protein for recovery
  • Loads of veg (your mum would be proud)
  • WATER – so much water

During Long Runs:

  • Energy gels or sweets (test these BEFORE race day)
  • Isotonic drinks
  • Water (sensing a theme here?)

Race Day Nutrition:

  • Carb-loading isn’t an excuse for a 3-day pasta party
  • Breakfast about 3 hours before start time
  • Energy gels every 45-60 minutes during the race
  • Water/sports drinks at most aid stations

Common Mistakes (That You’ll Probably Make Anyway)

We all do these, but try to avoid:

  • Starting too fast (the classic marathon mistake)
  • Skipping rest days (they’re part of training!)
  • Not fuelling properly on long runs
  • Trying new things on race day
  • Comparing yourself to that person on Strava who seems to run marathons in their sleep

Race Day: The Big One

Right, the big day has arrived! Here’s your race day survival guide:

The Night Before:

  • Lay out your kit (check it twice)
  • Pin your number on your vest
  • Set multiple alarms
  • Try to sleep (good luck with that)

Morning Of:

  • Eat your practiced breakfast
  • Get to the start early
  • Use the loo (then get back in the queue and use it again)
  • Try not to panic when you see people warming up in their club vests and compression socks

During the Race:

  • Start slow (then go slower)
  • High-five the kids along the route
  • Thank the volunteers
  • Smile at the photographers (you’ll want to buy those photos later)
  • Keep going when you hit “the wall” around mile 20

The Wall: Let’s Talk About It

The infamous wall – it’s real, and it’s not fantastic. Around mile 20, your body might start having a proper moan about what you’re doing to it. Your legs feel like lead, your brain starts negotiating with you to stop, and that finish line seems very far away.

But here’s the thing – you’ve trained for this. Your long runs have prepared you mentally and physically. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, and remember – the wall isn’t the end of your race, it’s just part of your marathon story.

Post-Marathon: The Aftermath

You’ve done it! You’re a marathoner! Here’s what happens next:

  • Get that medal (and wear it for at least 24 hours)
  • Take the finish line photo
  • Grab all the free snacks
  • Walk like a penguin for a few days
  • Tell everyone you’re never doing another one
  • Start looking up your next marathon two weeks later

The Bottom Line

Running a marathon is a proper adventure. It’s challenging, rewarding, sometimes a bit mad, but absolutely worth it. You’ll learn things about yourself, make new friends, and join a special club of people who know exactly what 26.2 miles feels like.

Remember, whether you’re aiming for a specific time or just want to finish, you’re doing something pretty incredible. Not everyone runs marathons – but you’re about to!

Now, time to lace up those trainers and start training. See you at the finish line!