Starting your marathon right is the first step to getting to the end and hitting your target. But what should you do during the first minutes of a race?
THE FIRST MILE
Whether you’re an experienced marathon runner or doing one for the first time, you’ll probably be feeling a mix of nerves and excitement at the start line. That’s normal – after all, you’re about to set off on one of the hardest physical challenges out there.
But as long as you’ve put the training in, there’s nothing to be gained from worrying – think of this as the reward for all your hard work in training.
There are 5 golden rules for your first mile that set you up for the race you’ve been dreaming of:
- Don’t let the occasion get to you – your adrenaline will be pumping, but don’t sprint off and tire yourself out
- Stick to your schedule right away – whether you’re doing 7- or 12-minute miles, now’s the time to start.
- Settle in for the long haul – the start line is noisy, but you’ll soon be on the open road and need to focus on yourself
- Find a good group to run with – taking on the course with runners of your ability will help you keep going
- Stay positive – your first mile might not feel great, but your body may still be getting warmed up
BEFORE YOU EVEN CROSS THE START LINE
In the biggest marathon races, you might be surprised at how long it takes you to get to the start line after you’ve left the runners’ meeting area. Don’t get panicked – just focus on your breathing and staying limber.
Running on the spot is a good way of staying warm as you inch towards the start line, and if you come to a complete halt you can always do a few stretches.
Your time only starts once you cross the start line so there’s no need to push through to the front. It’ll only annoy the runners you might have to be with for the next few hours.
