Running a marathon requires a great deal of discipline, mental toughness, courage and a little bit of crazy.
At least there are a few things to consider if your first time participating in a marathon:
Better not wear new shoes
You need to remember, each shoe has its own characteristics. Running with new shoes that you buy D-1 race, could increase the risk of injury.
Buy new shoes at least a few months before the day of the race and get used to the shoes. Use it often to exercise.
Avoid running in a large crowd
At the start, most likely you will run into a big group. You may not notice, but ran into a large group can not be good for your pace and stamina.
If you can not run away from the lead group, just lower your run pace. It’s okay to succumb in the beginning. Again remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint race.
Warm up with a light jog
You may think you are going to run as far as 42 Km, why you must increasing the distance you run in vain?
That’s wrong. Preheat your body, make your blood flowing smoothly. Make sure its an light jog. When you step on the starting line, you’ll be much better prepared.
Do not stop at every water station
Trust me, you better drink only when really thirsty. Do not think you need to drink a lot at every water station in order to have a ‘backup’ power when running. Rather it could make your stomach condition deteriorated.
Drink as much as you normally do at practice. You just need to be sure, if you can finish the workout with some water, you certainly can finish the race with the same amount.
Update:
Onggo Wiliyanto, an Internal Medicine Resident, explained that the above explanation is not quite right. Recommended is to drink every 15 minutes of running or after reaching a distance of 2.5 km, do not wait for thirst. Do not get dehydrated even heatstroke due to undisciplined hydration.
Thanks for the correction, Onggo.
Save your energy
Some runners the world say, in the marathon, 8 km latter is the real race. So set your strategy for energy enough to compete with other runners.
Some pace that can be done is; gradually slow tempo when the kilometer-kilometer run early, brisk walking before and after a break in a water station, relax and take it easy in the path of the derivative and try to be on the far outside lane to avoid the crowd of runners.
Do not worry about people passing you
Again you need to remember that you’re running a marathon, not a sprint. The importance of maintaining the emotion to remain calm following the strategy that has been collated, it could be an important key to reach the finish line.