Five tips to prepare for a half or full marathon

So, you’ve finally decided to do it; well done! The entry form is complete. You have the confirmation email. Now it’s time to start your long-term planning for the big day.

Here are five tips to be as prepared as possible for your half or full marathon. And to help you enjoy the experience along the way.

You’re about to spend a lot of time on your feet. Whether in training or during the race itself. So, it’s important you have a pair of shoes that fit and work for you.

I’d suggest going to a specialist running shop and choosing a pair that fit your feet properly. Running shoes vary in the amount of cushioning and support they offer, and everyone’s feet are different, so you want them to be comfortable. Try not to pick a pair because they're your favourite colour!

A good pair of running socks are a great investment to help keep blisters at bay. If you’re susceptible to blisters, you can get extra thick or double layered socks. Your feet have a lot of hard work to do, so it is worthwhile looking after them!

Training in the UK can also be very weather dependent, so consider getting a running jacket too. This will help to keep the rain off you and make those wet training runs more bearable!

Running uses a lot of energy – both when we run and afterwards during recovery. So, we need to make sure we’re providing our body with the energy it needs.

In between runs and throughout the day, it’s important to consume healthy sources of carbohydrates such as potatoes, rice, basic cereals, and pasta. Fruit and vegetables are also carbohydrates and extremely important for overall health.

During your longer training runs, energy gels, blocks, chews, drinks, and even soft sweets can provide a quick hit of energy to keep you going through the tough miles.

After your runs, try to ensure you’re consuming good sources of protein and carbohydrates to help your body recover.

It’s important to supplement your running training with strength training. Doing so will help reduce your risk of injury and improve your running efficiency.

You don’t need to be an avid gym goer – some simple squats, lunges, and step ups at home, once or twice a week can pay dividends. Using your own body weight or adding some hand weights to increase the load would be my recommendation.

If you want to get the most out of your training and the overall experience, I recommend using a coach. A running coach can plan specific training that both fits your needs and fits around your lifestyle.

Good luck and enjoy running those miles!