It is marathon season. That glorious time in the fall when every weekend (if you are a runner) you have friends racing. Chicago, Detroit, Columbus, Marine Corp, New York, Richmond, Philadelphia and many many more. Unfortunately it also means that the three mistakes that first time marathoners make come back to haunt folks. I’m about a month out from my third marathon and over the past year or so, I realized that there are three mistakes that first time marathoners make. I made these mistakes, my friends have made these mistakes. Hopefully this post will help you to not make these mistakes.
- Avoiding cross training. I wrote over on the Women’s Running website this week on the importance of cross training for runners. The main gist: when you are only running, you aren’t using all your smaller stability muscles. Those muscles help you avoid injury. Many first time marathoners find it so overwhelming to fit in all the running, that it leaves them no time to cross train. This is an injury waiting to happen -trust me. Do something other than running a couple times a week – your body will thank you!
- Not choosing a realistic plan. If you’ve ever only been able to run 3 days a week because of your work schedule, then don’t choose a marathon training plan that calls for you to run 5 days a week. It won’t work, you’ll miss runs and you’ll get frustrated and feel unprepared. Take some time thinking about what plan will work for you and then do your best to stick to it (but don’t freak out when you miss a day. that’s called life and it happens).
- Not wearing the proper gear. Now y’all know I love Oiselle, but I’m not talking about clothes. Please, for the love of all things good, go to a running store and get fitted for shoes. This is so important. You want (and need) to know what shoes are best for your feet and only a professional can tell you that. High quality running shoes aren’t cheap (whoever said running was free was wrong) but they are worth it. You can always buy an older model of the shoe you want to save some cash!
I have made these mistakes and it wasn’t fun. I have friends who have made these mistakes and it wasn’t fun. Please please please – don’t make these common three mistakes that first time marathoners make! Your body will thank you.
What should be added to the list? Have you made any of these mistakes?
All good ones! I probably did not do enough cross training the first time around. This time I was much better. I would say not go into marathon training with the intention of losing tons of weight. To counter, just b/c you increase your mileage, doesn’t mean you can eat everything. I think next round of marathon training (well if I do another haha)… I would be more conscious of my eating/nutrition.
Jennifer recently posted…NYC Marathon Countdown – Marathon Fueling
ah yes, the old “i’m running a marathon, i can eat whatever i want” myth! 🙂
All very good points, Courtney, and all equally important! I think the second point is something that a lot of people just wouldn’t think of, and then they beat themselves up for not being able to follow their training plan.
I was guilty of the third point! My many-year-old Nikes were actually coming apart from the sole when I finally went to the running store to buy new running shoes about 3/4 of the way into training for my first marathon!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…3-D Gait Analysis Findings
oh wow. shoes can make SUCH a huge difference – i recently convinced one of my running group ladies to get a new pair and she really could tell the difference in our run last night!
Good tips that apply to all distance races-I’ve seen a number of friends get injured bc they used a plan that was too aggressive for them.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Rock n Roll DC Kickoff-Win an entry to the March Race
you’re right – this is applicable to all race distances!
Courtney!! Excellent post… I ran my first marathon this past Saturday in Baltimore. I made mistake 3. Thought my shoes were great… not so much. I now have three purple-ish black toenails and am walking like an 90 yr old woman because I can’t put a lot of pressure on the right toes. Not a good plan on my part.
Stacey recently posted…#FridayFive – Favorite Tunes!! – Linked up with @Marmaone1, @EatPrayRunDC and @YouSignedUp
stacey – congrats on your race — looking forward to reading your recap! OUCH that sounds really really painful!
Great tips, Courtney. These tips definitely apply to all race distances. Cross training is often neglected, and I’ve noticed that as I’ve started to take a (brief) break from running and have amped up my cross training that I should have never let it go to the wayside.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…2014 Army Ten Miler Review
it can be hard to keep up running and cross training but it is really important!
Great tips! I ended up buying an older model of the shoes that the running store said were a good fit for me, but I only knew to do that because the salesman recommended it! I would never have even known that was an option so I’m glad you threw that in there as part of #3.
Chaitali recently posted…Tasty Tuesdays – French Toast
good shoes matter so much!!! glad you got some good ones 🙂
My Marathon is not until January but I am certainly getting my cross training in because I don’t want to end up injured again!
P.S Did I read that right, you said you will be running your first marathon? I thought you had already completed a marathon and you are on number 2?
Total typo – thanks for commenting! I’m actually about to run my 3rd 😉 I updated the post!
First time marathoner here and running the MCM this weekend. Thank goodness I am an avid cross trainer, followed a good plan, and have the right gear. I still don’t feel prepared and am freaking out, but hopefully it will all work out in the end.
Theresa C. recently posted…Why Cross Train
you are gonna do great! i’ll be out there cheering – maybe i’ll see you 🙂
THE SHOES! I swear, I preach this every day and there are STILL people who do not listen and then, at some point, end up at a running shop with trained, experienced running shoe-fitters, complaining about their shoes/feet/shins/ankles, etc. Ugh! Take the short cut, people! Also, I am learning (the hard way) that cross-training is, indeed, very important to marathon training. Thank you, as always, Courtney, for this great info!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Defeated
yes! i was once that person – hope others can avoid it!
yes I definitely think picking the wrong plan is HUGE. it’s hard to understand just how far 26.2 miles is when picking a plan and I think people are overly optimistic
Amanda – RunToThefinish recently posted…Spooktacularly Healthy Halloween Treats
yeah – a lot of people just do what their friend is doing instead of actually thinking about what will work for them!
well i’ve hit all 3 so wish em luck! 🙂
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Putting the Mar in Marathon!
*me…
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Putting the Mar in Marathon!
me too, girl, me too! you’re gonna be great!
I agree with all 3. Despite cross training though Ive still suffered through injuries. I honestly think that STRENGTH training is most important. Hitting a spin bike and 1 yoga class per week isn’t cutting it for me. After MCM is over I’m hitting the weights, HARD.
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…1 Voice Headband Review & Discount
strength training IS super important. that’s why i like barre because it is part strength training. ps – you would love TRX!!
I did a combo kettlebell/TRX class when I lived in Colorado and LOVED it!! I really want to get back to it, but why does it all have to be so pricey?!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…1 Voice Headband Review & Discount
agreed — i’m really grateful for classpass or else i would have never gone!
sadly i’ve only made 1 out of these 3 mistakes (the first one) and it’s one i used to be so dedicated to. the smaller stability muscles you mentioned are exactly what happened and you’re dead on about injury waiting to happen. i’m just glad it seems to be clearing up in time – i only wish it hadn’t taken experiencing the injury to learn it the hard way for next time. it’ll make this sunday harder, but maybe the next 26.2 will be that much easier because i definitely won’t be forgetting how important it is to cross train.
see you sunday lady friend 🙂
nevie recently posted…All the other stuff that goes into being ready for a race.
truth. see you sunday!
My first time training I didn’t cross train as much as I should have. I just thought running was all I needed. I would cross train maybe once in two-three weeks. Can’t express how importnant the shoe thing is!! Just because they are bright and shiny doesn’t mean they are good for you to run and train with. Thanks for sharing.
Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner recently posted…Treating Injuries: When Enough Is Enough
yes yes and YES! thanks for stopping by. so many people just buy shoes based on how they look! big mistake.
I do strength training & yoga in addition to running. Does that count as cross training, or do you mean a cardio activity? I was reading a Jenny Hatfield article that said how good plyometrics are for runners. I have a plyo routine on the Bosu I like to do. Would that also count as cross training?
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…BCHM Training: Week 12 & Race Pics
yep – strength training is SUPER important in my book 🙂