For beginners who are just starting to train for a marathon, it is important to set goals that are achievable. The marathon is a 26.2-mile race and it takes careful planning, dedication, and incremental progress.
It can be daunting for someone new to this challenge, but understanding how to set achievable goals and measure them properly, you can motivated along the way without overdoing it. In World Runners United, here are a few instructions on setting realistic goals and properly tracking your progress for marathon training newbies:
Establishing Concise, Clear-Cut, Measurable Objectives
Instead of trying to run a marathon within a specific time when just beginning, one should focus on building endurance step-by-step over time. Start with shorter distances and increase mileage gradually, day after day, until your desired fitness level is achieved. For instance, aim for running a certain number of miles each week, then raise the bar week after week, so there is always a new goal being pursued.
Realistic Mileage Goals
It is also important to be reasonable when setting your initial marathon training goals regarding mileage. Interval sessions will improve speed and endurance levels, while at the same time reducing the risk of injuries that may occur during races themselves.
Include a variety of exercises in your workouts, such as squats or dead-lifts, among other exercises aimed at strengthening muscles used while running but often overlooked during training.
Listening to Your Body and Adjust Accordingly
Overtraining can lead to injury or even burnout, so you need to remain mindful of how hard you’re working. While this doesn’t mean that one should not push themselves beyond their limits (otherwise there will never be any growth achieved), it is essential to always remember what works best for other people’s marathon training may not necessarily work for them.
Being realistic while setting goals means accepting limitations as part of process. It includes being ready to change plans if the need arises due to changes in physical condition or reactions to your current training methods.
Tracking Your Progress
Without a system in place to document your growth (one of the major advantages of coaching) it’s impossible to know exactly how much progress you’ve made and at what pace you’ve made it. This makes it difficult to judge the effectiveness of your current strategy and whether you need to make any adjustments, or even if you develop a new plan altogether.
Keeping digital records or even using books or journals allows you to log information pertaining to each day’s workouts, including total number of hours spent training, distance covered, average speed achieved, and any other relevant details.
Coaches Help You Get the Most Out of Your Marathon Training
Now that you understand how important it is to set achievable objectives and measure your progress, you can overcome the difficulties of training. With commitment, patience, and persistence, any seemingly impossible target can be turned into a conquerable milestone during training. This is where professional coaching becomes invaluable. Consider adding an expert trainer to your routine to maximize your results.
