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Six steps to marathon success

Many people become inspired by watching marathon events but lose interest as they feel the marathon is an unachievable challenge for them. This is not the case; marathon running is not just for athletes, runners or keen sports enthusiasts. If you're healthy and get clearance from your doctor then you can run a marathon. Here are six steps to get you to your marathon goal.

Six steps for marathon success

Allow plenty of time to train. Choose a shorter distance event to train for initially, maybe a 10k or a half marathon and work on your general fitness. It sounds contradictory but don't give yourself too much time though, you'll end up continually putting it off. Of course, how long you need to train will depend on your current level of fitness too.
Join a running club. Teaming up with other runners on a regular basis is one of the best ways to stay motivated. There are also the coaching benefits too - you can gain experience and techniques from the other running club members. Don't be concerned about your ability either, there are bound to be other runners at the same fitness level as you.
Don't overdo it. The beginning of marathon training plan can feel like slow progress, and the prospect of running the full marathon distance can feel totally unachievable. But it's all about pacing yourself - don't worry you'll get there.
Don't let the weather put you off. If you encounter bad weather then treadmill training in the warmth of a gym is the perfect solution. Or why not treat yourself to some new running gear specifically for cold or wet conditions? Dark nights can be a problem but most training plans factor in the longer runs at weekends, so can be completed in daylight. Weekday runs can be carried out on a treadmill, so you'll never have to run in the dark unless you want to.
Enter other races before the marathon. Try a 10k to begin with, and then go for a half marathon. Entering other events before the marathon will allow you to experience running in the 'event environment' and will help you practice things like taking water from drinks stations and the pre-race build up. Some of the big half marathons are a great learning experience as they can have many thousands of runners taking part. This will give you a real feel for what it'll be like on marathon day.
Stay positive. There will be times when you'll want to give up, times when you think you'll never be able to reach your goal. Don't let these thoughts drag you down - you can run a marathon, it's something that virtually all of us can achieve.