First Marathon Advice

[Notsleepinghelp]

I know this has been done before but I’m looking for tips and tricks for my first marathon, particularly if you’ve ran a hilly one! I’m running Leeds in May.
I ran a very hilly half marathon in Sept and have got another booked in that fits when my training plan requires me to do one (beginning of March), so I’m not afraid of the hills, mostly just the distance. I’ve been running 3 times a week consistently since March and have an ok base, I’m not fast but I can keep going I guess! I’m the fittest I’ve ever been which is why I wanted to capitalise on it and booked this marathon.
I’m starting a runna training plan today (easy 3.5 miles yes please!), has anyone else used it for marathon training? I like that it knows what the Leeds marathon is like so has plenty hills sessions, but I’ve heard that some people get injured easily using Runna?!
Any other things to consider that I won’t have thought of when half marathon training?

I ran London in 2023 (hated it). I had loads of support from my running club and they made sure I didn’t do any long training runs on my own. Then got to race day and I had to run it on my own!

Try to do the long runs in similar conditions to the event itself. If you’re running it on your own do at least a couple of long runs on your own. Most marathon plans are running 4 x a week. 3 runs is possibly not enough. If you can do some cross training or some weight training to support your joints that will help
prevenr injuries. If you start to feel a pain ease off. Better to take 2 weeks off for a niggle than 6 weeks for a proper injury.

Enjoy it. Personally I quite enjoy the training but I’ve never enjoyed the event 😂. Half marathons I love but I’ve never enjoyed a full marathon. But that might be because I’ve only done “big ones” and big city events are not for me.

I don't know your specific training plan, but my advice would be not to just pick a 'beginner' plan because you are a beginner at marathons - have a careful look and decide whether it's for total beginners to running, or whether it's well suited to someone doing the amount of running you're already doing regularly. Ideally you want a plan that starts at the level (frequency, distance) you're already training at, and builds you up from there. Basically, the more training you can do the better, but a total beginner wouldn't be able to jump straight into bigger volumes, so a plan aimed at total beginners would compromise on overall volume in favour of avoiding injury.

I think the key to not getting injured with Runna or any other training plan is not being a slave to it. If you’re not feeling right, do an easier session or have a day off! And build your weekly mileage up sensibly.

Also agree on strength training, try to get at least one good weights session in per week.

Marathon training is such hard work, especially through the winter. My main tip would be try to do as many of your runs in daylight as possible!

Definitely strength training- I got really bad calf cramps at mile 17 of my first marathon but had run longer distances in training with no problems (although I did also make the classic mistakes of (a) going out too fast and (b) ignoring the pacers when they walked up some of the hills - they do know their stuff. Although I have also found I now prefer to do my own thing rather than use the pacers),

You will also need to think about a fueling strategy- some gels cause stomach issues so you may need a bit of trial and error until you find a make that works for you.

If you can, it makes sense to start your training plan a couple of weeks early- then if you get a cold or life gets in the way, you can have an easy week without feeling that you’re getting “behind”.

This is so interesting! I’m about to rejoin my local running club (last attended 10 years ago!) to get some more running pals as I mostly run alone. Will make sure I do some long training runs solo though, as yes I can imagine it was hard when you weren’t used to it.
The Runna training plan is 4 runs a week, definitely need to introduce strength exercises and yoga/pilates as I currently only run.

Runna asked for my current 10k time which I think has attuned the plan a bit so it’s starting at reasonable mileage. I’m going to increase the first long run from 5 miles to 6 as I standardly run that most weekends anyway, but adding on an extra run a week (plan is 4x a week) will be enough to contend with to start with I think.

Oh no! Yes strength needs putting on my agenda. Incorporating 4 runs, cross training and strength is going to be interesting as I usually just do a couple of 5ks a week and a long run (plus a daily 30 min dog walk)!
I am worried about fuel, I got through the half marathon on jelly babies and flapjack… but it seems that gels will be better for a marathon! Any recommendations or is it all personal preference?

I find Voom bars better than gels. I end up in a sticky mess with gels. Something savoury can be good too. Too much sugar makes me feel sick.

Start practicing with gels early. You'll want to be taking one about every 30 min/5k in the race so your gut needs to be able to deal with it. Build up from one or two during your long run. It will cost a fortune - it is what it is. Look up to see if any are supplied on the course and see if you get on with them. If you do, then at least you will only need to carry a few. If you don't like them, at least you have plenty of time to experiment.

I’ve done a few marathons now and currently training for my first ultra. I’ve only ever run 3 times a week (but am very consistent). 5-6 miles on a Monday, a speed/interval session (45 minutes ish) on a Wednesday and a long run (building up weekly to max 18 miles) on a weekend. Agree you should try and do a strength session (my coach has given up on me ever doing this by now).

Gels are great if you can tolerate them - I used to get on with them fine but recently less so, now I fuel with sweets instead. I also run with a hydration pack with electrolytes in.

Thank you for this advice! Just looked it up and the ones available on the course are ones that my partner uses for cycling, so we already have some in and I can try them out soon!

Interesting that you only run 3 x a week! I’ve started a 4 x week training plan but illness has already wrecked week 2 😬

Ive been reading about women ultra runners and am obsessed with idea of doing one….but will see if I make it through this first!