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 Captain Billy Edwards has been competitively running since he was 10. An active duty Marine and graduate of the Naval Academy, Edwards is member of the Marine Corps marathon team. He has competed for the USMC in several races including the semi-annual challenge against the British Navy/Royal Marines and four MCMs.
1. Establish a realistic goal.
If it’s your first, perhaps you just want to finish. Others who are seasoned may be looking to qualify for Boston. No matter, one should start with a goal that can and should be challenging, but realistic.
2. Train towards your goal.
Once you have a goal, you have to design the training as far as mileage and pace to meet this goal. You need to train to make the pace that will get you across the line as you so desire.
3. Train with friends.
Running is a social sport and running with friends makes it that much easier. You can push each other to your goal and enjoy the camaraderie all at once.
4. Train on soft ground.
Training for a marathon requires a lot of time on your legs. The pounding on your legs can be eased if you do as much of your training as you can on good trails. Hard packed trails are the best, plus they generally have more enjoyable scenery and less traffic.
5. Don’t be afraid to cross train.
If you are feeling aches in your legs and require a day off, but are afraid of losing some fitness, cross train. Most cross training requires extra time to make up for the exertion of running, but you can maintain without losing all of your hard work you have worked towards that point in your training.
6. Stretch.
You can always find a reason not to stretch, because it does not have short-term effects. However, if pressed for time, cut your run short by five minutes, get a good stretch in before and after and you will reap the dividends by feeling fresher later that day or evening.
7. Nutrition.
The nice part about marathon training is getting to eat almost whatever you want because you are working really hard to get ready. However, remember carbohydrates are essential for energy. Eat or drink something with carbohydrates and protein immediately following workouts to restore glycogen and repair muscles, respectively. Chocolate milk is a perfect recovery drink, actually. You body will thank you. Finally, also practice using water and the power gels that will be in the race.
8. Don’t be afraid to adjust your goals.
If there is a problem in your training, adjust your goals to better suit your needs.
9. Tell your friends.
By telling your friends about the marathon and your goals, they will help keep you to task by asking about your progress. Perhaps they may even venture to Washington to see all the monuments, 20,000+ runners, and you cross the line in Arlington.
10. Have fun, most importantly. Along the way, keep this in mind.
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