Distance Running and The Marathon

Distance Runner

Marathon is a name gotten from a place in Greece where it is first practiced. Because of its popularity, it stood out amongst other distance races and was once the centerpiece in Olympic but has now replaced with other various field races and fast track that looks more interesting on television.

Marathon training is a bit different from a standard 5, 10 or 12 km race. While preparing for the race, the runner must have to get used to running at a marathon pace for an extended period.

Long Run

Marathon’s preparation most crucial workout is ‘The Long Run.’ The Long Run is developed by increasing the mileage of the runner once a week until the athlete can run for 2-3 hours generally. Although this increase is to be done gradually and gently, the weekly mileage increase should be about 10 to 20% of your goal mileage and is majorly dependent on the runner’s baseline.

Plans on the weekly distance to be covered must first be made, to help plan the increase accordingly. After this, the runner can begin to include speed workouts.

Marathon pace running

In this type of training, the runner runs at the projected marathon pace. These are tough runs that can go on for about 2 hours mimicking the primary marathon race.

Getting a running partner that runs at the same speed as you, keeps you going and helps to pace your rate during workouts. Joining a half-marathon is also a good idea, but you must ensure you run at your own marathon pace, as it is an effective way of preparing for the main marathon.

Food, fluids, and paraphernalia

During preparation for the real marathon, knowing the kind of food and drinks you are conditioning your body to is essential as it determines how slow or fast your pace during the race will be. Experts have advised you to stay hydrated by drinking fluids every 10 to 15 minutes during the run, whether you are thirsty or not.

Check your body reaction to the type of fluid that served at the race by using it during practice. Sports drinks give a better boost than plain water.

Avoid food that contains fiber; eat more of food rich in carbohydrates.

Choose the gears, i.e., shoes, running clothes, socks, shorts, you are comfortable with, and practice it until it becomes part of you, the aim is for you to be extra comfortable during the marathon race.

Other pre-race preparations

The final long run is to be done two weeks before the primary marathon race and should be about 20 miles (32.19 km) or at least3 hours run. Finally, before you enter the marathon, ensure you take much rest to heal from injuries obtained during pre-race preparation.

Following the routine of the previous runner who broke a record also helps your running ability and keeps you motivated and pushes you to achieve results you would be proud of. Training on Distance running should be done gradually and with no harshness at all.

Distance Running Tools

Distance Running Tools

The Gears

Just like in every sport, preparation for a full marathon means getting the right tools. For those aspiring to reach their goals, you must ensure to get the right gear/tools and accessories that will augment your speed, endurance, motivation, and strength. Here are some gears preparation tips to help ease the stress of you going to look for them yourself.

Running Clothe

Wearing the appropriate running attire will help prevent external running hazards from getting to your body.

We will be starting with running shorts. Remember when choosing a short ensure it is not too tight (which may lead to improper blood circulation) or to lose (to prevent it from falling off your waist). There are two types of shorts runners can decide to opt for

  • Traditional running shorts

These runnings short are not very close but are short. They provide excellent cooling and comfort. Regular running shorts are designed with microfiber and wicking briefs; although they are a bit expensive, it gives support for distance runners by directing cooling to a specific area.

  • Compression or Cycling shorts

Compression shorts, on the other hand, are mostly used by athletes who do not like their thigh flab poking out because of its unflattering snugness that prevents friction against the thighs.

Tops

Distance runners could either opt-in for Singlets, short sleeves, or long sleeves, depending on the weather type and the runner’s preferences. However, do not use tops made with cotton material while tops made with polyester are widely accepted because of its ability to absorb and dry up the sweat quickly, keeping you dry, comfortable, and fresh. For adverse weather, sports jackets are allowed. They help in keeping one dry and warm throughout the race.

Shoes

Running shoes contributes mainly to the runner’s comfort level. You need to select a pair that fits your type of foot, and allows free movement of the foot muscles. It also shapes the manner at which you run.

Socks

Sweating on the feet is common to athletes running a distance of 5 km or more. (Feet) Sweats can make you uncomfortable and could lead to soreness of the feet. Long marathon races require socks with materials that absorb sweats.

Accessories

Running accessories may include head and wrist bands, hats(protects us from wind), speed monitors. The speed monitor is used for calculating the distance traveled on the course of running and keeping track of the overall time taken to cover a specific range. Accessories eliminate the stress/hassle of using an odometer for measurement.

Hydration packs can also be added to the list of running accessories since it helps you maintain an optimal hydration level.

For female runners, the right bra for sport is essential. It reduces the uncontrollable burst movement that tends to stress the burst ligament and can cause pain on the burst.

During the preparation of a marathon, you have to ensure you are comfortable in your choice of chosen gears, i.e., the tops, shoes, shorts, socks, and any additional accessories, when all the selected speeds are on point, then you are a step closer to achieving your goals.

Injuries and Errors in Distance Running

Injuries and errors

In every sport, injuries are always recorded, and distance running is not exempted. Aches must occur whether you are training for a race, or you are running to lose weight, or just for the fun of it. Survey has shown that training errors have led to more than 50% of injuries recorded in the running.

Training errors tend to occur when one takes on much more physical activity than the body can maintain and by constant repetition of a particular exercise that tends to strain the muscles, leading to an injury known as an overuse injury. These training errors are also said to occur when the training routine suddenly changes or changes in the intensity level of the practice.

Other training errors include

  • Training Load

  In the running, it is not advisable to move from 0 to 100, i.e., increasing our mileage so fast. This is one of the major causes of injuries in the running. Due to these coaches ensures the athlete takes it slow while building their distance, by doing so, your muscles tend to adapt to the forces they are subjected to…

  • Down Hills Running

Extreme care should be taken when doing the hill training because while running the hills down our heel tends to hit the ground, thereby leading to the knee’s inability to absorb the reactive forces of the earth, which goes further to cause a condition called runner’s knee. Such pains on the knee increase during prolonged sitting or after sitting for a while.

  • Size of Shoe

When choosing the size of shoe used during training, the athlete is to consider if he or she is comfortable, does the pump create a free movement of the foot and muscles of the foot, if no then injuries like a sore foot would occur.

Other common injuries include

  • Hamstring Strain

Research has shown that the hamstrings make up most of the muscles responsible for forwarding movement while running. Once there is an issue with the group of muscles, your flexibility and strength are automatically affected.

  • Shin Splints

Shin splint is a type of injury in which tears begin to occur around the shin-bone. About 15% of injuries that happen during running can be traced to the shin splints.

  • Plantar Fasciitis

Less than 16% of injuries obtained during running are attributed to foot pain. Foot pain occurs as a result of the tearing and swelling of ligaments and tendons of the feet. Such strains are mainly felt along the heel like an achy feeling.

The human body can heal itself, even though it is not realistic in any way to want an injured body to recover fully while still undergoing the activities that caused the injury. The healing process doesn’t just work like magic; it is a process and must take a bit of time. Therefore, try not to get engaged in any training during the healing process, also ensure you visit a physiotherapist for proper checkups during the process of healing, and don’t just assume you are beautiful and ready for a race.

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