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7 Top Tips For Running Your First Marathon

The Running Channel

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Training for a marathon? Well we’re here to help! We’ve picked out 7 top tips that we wished we’d known before our first marathons to help you have the best race day experience!

↓↓ Which marathon are you training for? Got any questions for us? Let us know in the comments! ↓↓

What’s in this video?
00:00:00 - Knowing Your Marathon Route
00:01:31 - Marathon Training Tips and Preparations
00:02:59 - How to Drink Gel During a Race
00:04:33 - Setting Realistic but Ambitious Goals
00:06:01 - Finding Motivation and Discipline
00:07:30 - Visualisation Techniques for Running a Marathon
00:08:55 - Preparation and Recovery for a Marathon
00:10:19 - The Importance of a Training Plan
00:11:42 - Preparing for a Marathon

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20 Comments

@ova_workd_down_unda_payd4192 2 years ago

My goals for my first marathon in July.

1. Don't poo myself
2. Finish

@collierellis553 2 years ago

I just started training for my first marathon. My "A" goal is to finish under 4 hours, my "B" goal is to finish under 5 hours, and my "C" goal is to just finish.

@dansmith4018 2 years ago

I am doing my first marathon in Chicago at age 59 thanks to Tom (and Sarah) posting their run in 2023. Wish me luck.

@brun4775 2 years ago

I made the mistake of sprinting for the Brandenburger Tor at the end of the Berlin marathon. Definitely a good idea to check the course beforehand.

@jennabutler6304 2 years ago

I attempted my first marathon in January. I started training 28 weeks in advance doing 2 strength sessions every week with a trainer and using a Running Channel training plan. I got a stress fracture about 10 weeks before the marathon, and only got up to 13 miles in my training plan. I decided to still give it a go Jan 7th. I only made it to 30km and then dropped below the pace requirement and was swept off the course. I found out a couple days later I also had covid! All this to say, you can train and plan and it still might not work out. Do your best and be proud of all your training and whatever you accomplish.

@ResmonGonzalez 2 years ago (edited)

Preparing for my 1st Marathon ever at age 50! 😆: the 2024 BMW Berlin Marathon on September 29. Halfway through now with my final training preparations.

@TheWolfhoundSabre 2 years ago

My "why" is to prove to myself that I own my body and Crohn's disease isn't going to dictate what I can do with it. Unfortunately, at 14 weeks into my 18 week training block my condition is flaring and I'll be starting new medication within the next few weeks, whenever insurance approves it. Mentally I'm at my lowest point. I missed my 9 mile run yesterday and only did 2 miles out of my 5 mile run this morning because I was concerned about worsening my fever... But I'm determined to complete this marathon, no matter how hard my body is fighting it. Hopefully I can make next week's 20mi run, that's the longest one in my training block.

My goals:
A) Finish sub 5 hours
B) Finish without walking
C) Finish.

@mickfanning93 2 years ago

Would add practice racing. Have done 3 marathons and this is what im adding in for my current plan. Im doing a 10k this weekend, half marathon in may, marathon in October. It helps practice race technique and definitely helps me motivate in training through the year

@Comradebird88 2 years ago

This will be my first marathon, Air Force Marathon September 2024.

Goals
1. Finish
2. Time 4 hours, anything under is a plus

@ouisequitur 2 years ago

first marathon is pittsburgh in may and tbqh i just want to be proud of my effort no matter what happens

@ArcticAssault 3 weeks ago

My first marathon is Oct 3rd of 2026 and it’s to show my kids that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to something. Also if you’re not failing, you’re not trying, failing is part of the process.

@headstart.running 2 years ago

Solid set of advice there Sarah & Mo!

I'm about to run marathon #16 and pick up my 6⭐medal in Tokyo in 2 weeks time. That's been a 10 year goal in the making! (25,000km and 32+ pairs of shoes)

Goals for this year:
- sub 3:30 in Tokyo (never run <3:30 outside of Australia before)
- Possible PB attempt at Gold Coast Marathon in July (<3:18?!)
- ..and if the legs hold up: Sydney Marathon in September

Every marathon will teach you something - about yourself, about running, about your capabilities..... I love traveling somewhere and doing the '42k pedestrian city tour'!!
😄

@JosMijnders 2 years ago

Signed up for my first ever marathon. Rotterdam on the 14th of April. Terrified and excited!
Thanks for the tips, you guys motivated me for my first 5k in 2022 and you still keep doing that everytime!

@rishikanbi 2 years ago

"Taken on over 100 marathons"
James with 80% of those: sips his morning coffee ❤

@mjuk1984 2 years ago

I'm training for my first marathon in September to celebrate turning 40 this year. It'll be "a" London Marathon...not "the" London Marathon, but "a" London Marathon. 😁

@crystal42605 1 year ago

Goals for first marathon. which is in 2 days: A. under 6 B. finish before 6:30 cutoff C. complete distance regardless of time
Reason for running: my son is watching and I want to set a good example and be around as long as i can for him.

@paradox_3000 2 years ago

I just completed my first half marathon on Sunday. I remembered a lot of these tips from previous videos, and they absolutely helped me. The aid station cup tip definitely helped me achieve my B and C goals. Someday I'll achieve my A goal too.

@maxsweep 2 years ago

London for me this year. Also my first. Keep the videos coming all very useful.
Maybe include a slower person 😅 so my 11:30 - 12:00 min miles don’t seem as bad.