Home » Blog » Training » The 26.2: How Long and What To Expect When Running A Marathon

The 26.2: How Long and What To Expect When Running A Marathon

0
Rate this Article:
The 26.2: How Long and What To Expect When Running A Marathon The 26.2: How Long and What To Expect When Running A Marathon www.runnerclick.com

Steeped in the legends of Greek history, the marathon is quite the event. Although a marathon is technically an event, the word has also become a synonym for something that goes on and on for a long time.

When your favorite television show is on for 24 hours straight, it is called a marathon session. That is just one example of how the word is casually used in contemporary slang. 

How Long is a Marathon?

Even though sometimes I hear someone ask how far their marathon is, there is an exact distance to be considered that event.

The marathon is 26.2 miles long. For those of you who measure your distance using the metric system, that equals 42.195 kilometers. 

Just for your reference, any race longer than 26.2 miles is called an ultra marathon. Although typically an ultra is 50 or 100 miles, there are some 30 milers out there. 

How to Train for a Marathon

Are you wondering if you are ready to train for a marathon? Athletes frequently ask me how to know if they are ready. Honestly, you don’t actually need a ton of running experience to decide to commit to running a marathon.

Did you know that there are actually couch-to-marathon plans, just like the famed Couch to 5K? 

You do need to get yourself a solid marathon training plan if you want to have success. 

Picking a Marathon Training Plan

marathon training plan
cloudinary.com

Deciding on a marathon training plan can be simple or complicated. If that sounds like a wishy-washy answer, I certainly don’t mean it too. However, it is the truth. Hear me out.

For someone who has never run a step (or at least not for a very long time), you should look for a couch to marathon training plan. Plans like that assume you have a relatively low level of fitness and help you to ease your way into shape.

Many people enter their marathon training plan fully intending to use run/walk intervals throughout the entire marathon. This can be true of both novice and veteran marathoners. 

The Galloway Method is when individuals use specifically timed run and walk intervals for the duration of a training run or race. Believe it or not, people can clock some very fast times using this method. Don’t assume that just because people spend some time walking that they are not able to hit good times. 

If you are a relatively inexperienced runner and you have decided to run your first marathon, you should look for novice or beginner programs. Hal Higdon has training plans for all race distances and for varying abilities.

Whether you are a beginner, someone with some experience, or a very experienced runner, there is a plan to meet your needs. 

Do You Need a Coach?

Although you certainly can finish a marathon without a coach, it sure doesn’t hurt to have one. Many athletes find that having a running coach helps for multiple reasons.

First, a coach takes the guesswork out of your workouts.

Second, having someone to report to can help hold you accountable.

Third, a canned training plan does not take your individual running habits into consideration. A coach can tailor things to meet your needs. This could be very helpful to get you to your goals.

Perhaps the best reason to get a coach is that if you have big goals, having someone with running skills and experience can help get you there. 

What is a Good Marathon Time?

Before digging into what constitutes a good marathon time for us mere mortals, let’s look at the record holders.

The men’s record-holders on sanctioned courses are:

  1. Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) 2:01:39 in Berlin, 2018
  2. Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) 2:01:51 Berlin, 2019
  3. Birhanu Legese (Ethiopia) Berlin, 2019

The women’s record holders:

  1. Brigid Kosgei (Kenya) 2:14:04 Chicago, 2019
  2. Paula Radcliffe (Great Britain)  2:15:25 London, 2003
  3. Mary Keitany (Kenya) 2:17:01 London, 2017

If you are hoping to be dead average in your marathon, here is what we know. Most men complete a marathon in about four hours thirty minutes, and the average woman finishes just shy of five hours. When considering what would be a good marathon time, there are multiple things to consider.

First, it is important to note that if your fastest marathon is 4:45 and you run a 4:30, that is an excellent marathon for you. Running is a very individual sport and when push comes to shove, the race is long and in the end, is only with yourself (Baz Luhrmann).

Running enthusiasts consider the Boston Qualifying Time to be the thing to shoot for. A Boston Qualifying time varies by age and gender. Men have to run faster than women and the older you get, the BQ time adds precious minutes.

Age GroupMENWOMEN
18-343hrs 00min 00sec3hrs 30min 00sec
35-393hrs 05min 00sec3hrs 35min 00sec
40-443hrs 10min 00sec3hrs 40min 00sec
45-493hrs 20min 00sec3hrs 50min 00sec
50-543hrs 25min 00sec3hrs 55min 00sec
55-593hrs 35min 00sec4hrs 05min 00sec
60-643hrs 50min 00sec4hrs 20min 00sec
65-694hrs 05min 00sec4hrs 35min 00sec
70-744hrs 20min 00sec4hrs 50min 00sec
75-794hrs 35min 00sec5hrs 05min 00sec
80 and over4hrs 50min 00sec5hrs 20min 00sec

As a 51-year-old woman, the time I would have to hit in order to qualify is a 4:55:00. And even that does not guarantee entry. Many runners find themselves heartbroken to technically qualify and then to find that the race fills before they can register. 

Marathon Pace Chart

People with a time goal might find a pace chart to be helpful. These helpful little things can be in the form of bracelets, stickers or arm tattoos. You can sometimes find a handy pace chart at the race expo.

What exactly is a pace chart? It shows you exactly where you should be at set intervals of the race in order to meet your goal time. 

If you are hoping to finish your marathon in 4:30:00, you can get a pace chart to show you where you should be at each mile marker. This can help you to stay on target. 

DIST → PACE ↓Mile 1Mile 2Mile 35KMile 4Mile 5Mile 610KMile 7Mile 8Mile 9Mile 10Mile 11Mile 12Mile 13Mile 13.1Mile 14Mile 15Mile 16Mile 17Mile 18Mile 19Mile 20Mile 21Mile 22Mile 23Mile 24Mile 25Mile 26Mile 26.2
4:404:409:2014:0014:3018:4023:2028:00:0029:00:0032:40:0037:20:0042:00:0046:40:0051:20:0056:00:001:00:401:01:101:05:201:10:001:14:401:19:201:24:001:28:401:33:201:38:001:42:401:47:201:52:001:56:402:01:202:02:21
4:454:459:3014:1514:4519:0023:4528:30:0029:31:0033:15:0038:00:0042:45:0047:30:0052:15:0057:00:001:01:451:02:161:06:301:11:151:16:001:20:451:25:301:30:151:35:001:39:451:44:301:49:151:54:001:58:452:03:302:04:32
4:504:509:4014:3015:0119:2024:10:0029:00:0030:02:0033:50:0038:40:0043:30:0048:20:0053:10:0058:00:001:02:501:03:211:07:401:12:301:17:201:22:101:27:001:31:501:36:401:41:301:46:201:51:101:56:002:00:502:05:402:06:43
4:554:559:5014:4515:1619:4024:35:0029:30:0030:33:0034:25:0039:20:0044:15:0049:10:0054:05:0059:00:001:03:551:04:271:08:501:13:451:18:401:23:351:28:301:33:251:38:201:43:151:48:101:53:051:58:002:02:552:07:502:08:54
5:005:0010:0015:0015:3220:0025:00:0030:00:0031:04:0035:00:0040:00:0045:00:0050:00:0055:00:001:00:001:05:001:05:331:10:001:15:001:20:001:25:001:30:001:35:001:40:001:45:001:50:001:55:002:00:002:05:002:10:002:11:06
5:055:0510:1015:1515:4720:2025:25:0030:30:0031:35:0035:35:0040:40:0045:45:0050:50:0055:55:001:01:001:06:051:06:381:11:101:16:151:21:201:26:251:31:301:36:351:41:401:46:451:51:501:56:552:02:002:07:052:12:102:13:17
5:105:1010:2015:3016:0320:4025:50:0031:00:0032:06:0036:10:0041:20:0046:30:0051:40:0056:50:001:02:001:07:101:07:441:12:201:17:301:22:401:27:501:33:001:38:101:43:201:48:301:53:401:58:502:04:002:09:102:14:202:15:28
5:155:1510:3015:4516:1921:0026:15:0031:30:0032:37:0036:45:0042:00:0047:15:0052:30:0057:45:001:03:001:08:151:08:491:13:301:18:451:24:001:29:151:34:301:39:451:45:001:50:151:55:302:00:452:06:002:11:152:16:302:17:39
5:205:2010:4016:0016:3421:2026:40:0032:00:0033:08:0037:20:0042:40:0048:00:0053:20:0058:40:001:04:001:09:201:09:551:14:401:20:001:25:201:30:401:36:001:41:201:46:401:52:001:57:202:02:402:08:002:13:202:18:402:19:50
5:255:2510:5016:1516:5021:4027:05:0032:30:0033:39:0037:55:0043:20:0048:45:0054:10:0059:35:001:05:001:10:251:11:001:15:501:21:151:26:401:32:051:37:301:42:551:48:201:53:451:59:102:04:352:10:002:15:252:20:502:22:01
5:305:3011:0016:3017:0522:0027:30:0033:00:0034:10:0038:30:0044:00:0049:30:0055:00:001:00:301:06:001:11:301:12:061:17:001:22:301:28:001:33:301:39:001:44:301:50:001:55:302:01:002:06:302:12:002:17:302:23:002:24:12
5:355:3511:1016:4517:2122:2027:55:0033:30:0034:42:0039:05:0044:40:0050:15:0055:50:001:01:251:07:001:12:351:13:111:18:101:23:451:29:201:34:551:40:301:46:051:51:401:57:152:02:502:08:252:14:002:19:352:25:102:26:23
5:405:4011:2017:0017:3622:4028:20:0034:00:0035:13:0039:40:0045:20:0051:00:0056:40:001:02:201:08:001:13:401:14:171:19:201:25:001:30:401:36:201:42:001:47:401:53:201:59:002:04:402:10:202:16:002:21:402:27:202:28:34
5:455:4511:3017:1517:5223:0028:45:0034:30:0035:44:0040:15:0046:00:0051:45:0057:30:001:03:151:09:001:14:451:15:221:20:301:26:151:32:001:37:451:43:301:49:151:55:002:00:452:06:302:12:152:18:002:23:452:29:302:30:45
5:505:5011:4017:3018:0723:2029:10:0035:00:0036:15:0040:50:0046:40:0052:30:0058:20:001:04:101:10:001:15:501:16:281:21:401:27:301:33:201:39:101:45:001:50:501:56:402:02:302:08:202:14:102:20:002:25:502:31:402:32:57
5:555:5511:5017:4518:2323:4029:35:0035:30:0036:46:0041:25:0047:20:0053:15:0059:10:001:05:051:11:001:16:551:17:341:22:501:28:451:34:401:40:351:46:301:52:251:58:202:04:152:10:102:16:052:22:002:27:552:33:502:35:08
6:006:0012:0018:0018:3824:00:0030:00:0036:00:0037:17:0042:00:0048:00:0054:00:001:00:001:06:001:12:001:18:001:18:391:24:001:30:001:36:001:42:001:48:001:54:002:00:002:06:002:12:002:18:002:24:002:30:002:36:002:37:19
6:056:0512:1018:1518:5424:20:0030:25:0036:30:0037:48:0042:35:0048:40:0054:45:001:00:501:06:551:13:001:19:051:19:451:25:101:31:151:37:201:43:251:49:301:55:352:01:402:07:452:13:502:19:552:26:002:32:052:38:102:39:30
6:106:1012:2018:3019:0924:40:0030:50:0037:00:0038:19:0043:10:0049:20:0055:30:001:01:401:07:501:14:001:20:101:20:501:26:201:32:301:38:401:44:501:51:001:57:102:03:202:09:302:15:402:21:502:28:002:34:102:40:202:41:41
6:156:1512:3018:4519:2525:00:0031:15:0037:30:0038:50:0043:45:0050:00:0056:15:001:02:301:08:451:15:001:21:151:21:561:27:301:33:451:40:001:46:151:52:301:58:452:05:002:11:152:17:302:23:452:30:002:36:152:42:302:43:52
6:206:2012:4019:0019:4125:20:0031:40:0038:00:0039:21:0044:20:0050:40:0057:00:001:03:201:09:401:16:001:22:201:23:011:28:401:35:001:41:201:47:401:54:002:00:202:06:402:13:002:19:202:25:402:32:002:38:202:44:402:46:03
6:256:2512:5019:1519:5625:40:0032:05:0038:30:0039:52:0044:55:0051:20:0057:45:001:04:101:10:351:17:001:23:251:24:071:29:501:36:151:42:401:49:051:55:302:01:552:08:202:14:452:21:102:27:352:34:002:40:252:46:502:48:14
6:306:3013:0019:3020:1226:00:0032:30:0039:00:0040:23:0045:30:0052:00:0058:30:001:05:001:11:301:18:001:24:301:25:121:31:001:37:301:44:001:50:301:57:002:03:302:10:002:16:302:23:002:29:302:36:002:42:302:49:002:50:25
6:356:3513:1019:4520:2726:20:0032:55:0039:30:0040:54:0046:05:0052:40:0059:15:001:05:501:12:251:19:001:25:351:26:181:32:101:38:451:45:201:51:551:58:302:05:052:11:402:18:152:24:502:31:252:38:002:44:352:51:102:52:36
6:406:4013:2020:0020:4326:40:0033:20:0040:00:0041:26:0046:40:0053:20:001:00:001:06:401:13:201:20:001:26:401:27:241:33:201:40:001:46:401:53:202:00:002:06:402:13:202:20:002:26:402:33:202:40:002:46:402:53:202:54:48
6:456:4513:3020:1520:5827:00:0033:45:0040:30:0041:57:0047:15:0054:00:001:00:451:07:301:14:151:21:001:27:451:28:291:34:301:41:151:48:001:54:452:01:302:08:152:15:002:21:452:28:302:35:152:42:002:48:452:55:302:56:59
6:506:5013:4020:3021:1427:20:0034:10:0041:00:0042:28:0047:50:0054:40:001:01:301:08:201:15:101:22:001:28:501:29:351:35:401:42:301:49:201:56:102:03:002:09:502:16:402:23:302:30:202:37:102:44:002:50:502:57:402:59:10
6:556:5513:5020:4521:2927:40:0034:35:0041:30:0042:59:0048:25:0055:20:001:02:151:09:101:16:051:23:001:29:551:30:401:36:501:43:451:50:401:57:352:04:302:11:252:18:202:25:152:32:102:39:052:46:002:52:552:59:503:01:21
7:007:0014:0021:0021:4528:00:0035:00:0042:00:0043:30:0049:00:0056:00:001:03:001:10:001:17:001:24:001:31:001:31:461:38:001:45:001:52:001:59:002:06:002:13:002:20:002:27:002:34:002:41:002:48:002:55:003:02:003:03:32
7:057:0514:1021:1522:0028:20:0035:25:0042:30:0044:01:0049:35:0056:40:001:03:451:10:501:17:551:25:001:32:051:32:511:39:101:46:151:53:202:00:252:07:302:14:352:21:402:28:452:35:502:42:552:50:002:57:053:04:103:05:43
7:107:1014:2021:3022:1628:40:0035:50:0043:00:0044:32:0050:10:0057:20:001:04:301:11:401:18:501:26:001:33:101:33:571:40:201:47:301:54:402:01:502:09:002:16:102:23:202:30:302:37:402:44:502:52:002:59:103:06:203:07:54
7:157:1514:3021:4522:3129:00:0036:15:0043:30:0045:03:0050:45:0058:00:001:05:151:12:301:19:451:27:001:34:151:35:021:41:301:48:451:56:002:03:152:10:302:17:452:25:002:32:152:39:302:46:452:54:003:01:153:08:303:10:05
7:207:2014:4022:0022:4729:20:0036:40:0044:00:0045:34:0051:20:0058:40:001:06:001:13:201:20:401:28:001:35:201:36:081:42:401:50:001:57:202:04:402:12:002:19:202:26:402:34:002:41:202:48:402:56:003:03:203:10:403:12:16
7:257:2514:5022:1523:0329:40:0037:05:0044:30:0046:05:0051:55:0059:20:001:06:451:14:101:21:351:29:001:36:251:37:131:43:501:51:151:58:402:06:052:13:302:20:552:28:202:35:452:43:102:50:352:58:003:05:253:12:503:14:27
7:307:3015:0022:3023:1830:00:0037:30:0045:00:0046:36:0052:30:001:00:001:07:301:15:001:22:301:30:001:37:301:38:191:45:001:52:302:00:002:07:302:15:002:22:302:30:002:37:302:45:002:52:303:00:003:07:303:15:003:16:39
7:357:3515:1022:4523:3430:20:0037:55:0045:30:0047:07:0053:05:001:00:401:08:151:15:501:23:251:31:001:38:351:39:251:46:101:53:452:01:202:08:552:16:302:24:052:31:402:39:152:46:502:54:253:02:003:09:353:17:103:18:50
7:407:4015:2023:0023:4930:40:0038:20:0046:00:0047:38:0053:40:001:01:201:09:001:16:401:24:201:32:001:39:401:40:301:47:201:55:002:02:402:10:202:18:002:25:402:33:202:41:002:48:402:56:203:04:003:11:403:19:203:21:01
7:457:4515:3023:1524:05:0031:00:0038:45:0046:30:0048:09:0054:15:001:02:001:09:451:17:301:25:151:33:001:40:451:41:361:48:301:56:152:04:002:11:452:19:302:27:152:35:002:42:452:50:302:58:153:06:003:13:453:21:303:23:12
7:507:5015:4023:3024:20:0031:20:0039:10:0047:00:0048:41:0054:50:001:02:401:10:301:18:201:26:101:34:001:41:501:42:411:49:401:57:302:05:202:13:102:21:002:28:502:36:402:44:302:52:203:00:103:08:003:15:503:23:403:25:23
7:557:5515:5023:4524:36:0031:40:0039:35:0047:30:0049:12:0055:25:001:03:201:11:151:19:101:27:051:35:001:42:551:43:471:50:501:58:452:06:402:14:352:22:302:30:252:38:202:46:152:54:103:02:053:10:003:17:553:25:503:27:34
8:008:0016:0024:00:0024:51:0032:00:0040:00:0048:00:0049:43:0056:00:001:04:001:12:001:20:001:28:001:36:001:44:001:44:521:52:002:00:002:08:002:16:002:24:002:32:002:40:002:48:002:56:003:04:003:12:003:20:003:28:003:29:45
8:058:0516:1024:15:0025:07:0032:20:0040:25:0048:30:0050:14:0056:35:001:04:401:12:451:20:501:28:551:37:001:45:051:45:581:53:102:01:152:09:202:17:252:25:302:33:352:41:402:49:452:57:503:05:553:14:003:22:053:30:103:31:56
8:108:1016:2024:30:0025:22:0032:40:0040:50:0049:00:0050:45:0057:10:001:05:201:13:301:21:401:29:501:38:001:46:101:47:031:54:202:02:302:10:402:18:502:27:002:35:102:43:202:51:302:59:403:07:503:16:003:24:103:32:203:34:07
8:158:1516:3024:45:0025:38:0033:00:0041:15:0049:30:0051:16:0057:45:001:06:001:14:151:22:301:30:451:39:001:47:151:48:091:55:302:03:452:12:002:20:152:28:302:36:452:45:002:53:153:01:303:09:453:18:003:26:153:34:303:36:18
8:208:2016:4025:00:0025:54:0033:20:0041:40:0050:00:0051:47:0058:20:001:06:401:15:001:23:201:31:401:40:001:48:201:49:151:56:402:05:002:13:202:21:402:30:002:38:202:46:402:55:003:03:203:11:403:20:003:28:203:36:403:38:30
8:258:2516:5025:15:0026:09:0033:40:0042:05:0050:30:0052:18:0058:55:001:07:201:15:451:24:101:32:351:41:001:49:251:50:201:57:502:06:152:14:402:23:052:31:302:39:552:48:202:56:453:05:103:13:353:22:003:30:253:38:503:40:41
8:308:3017:0025:30:0026:25:0034:00:0042:30:0051:00:0052:49:0059:30:001:08:001:16:301:25:001:33:301:42:001:50:301:51:261:59:002:07:302:16:002:24:302:33:002:41:302:50:002:58:303:07:003:15:303:24:003:32:303:41:003:42:52
8:358:3517:1025:45:0026:40:0034:20:0042:55:0051:30:0053:20:001:00:051:08:401:17:151:25:501:34:251:43:001:51:351:52:312:00:102:08:452:17:202:25:552:34:302:43:052:51:403:00:153:08:503:17:253:26:003:34:353:43:103:45:03
8:408:4017:2026:00:0026:56:0034:40:0043:20:0052:00:0053:51:001:00:401:09:201:18:001:26:401:35:201:44:001:52:401:53:372:01:202:10:002:18:402:27:202:36:002:44:402:53:203:02:003:10:403:19:203:28:003:36:403:45:203:47:14
8:458:4517:3026:15:0027:11:0035:00:0043:45:0052:30:0054:22:001:01:151:10:001:18:451:27:301:36:151:45:001:53:451:54:422:02:302:11:152:20:002:28:452:37:302:46:152:55:003:03:453:12:303:21:153:30:003:38:453:47:303:49:25
8:508:5017:4026:30:0027:27:0035:20:0044:10:0053:00:0054:53:001:01:501:10:401:19:301:28:201:37:101:46:001:54:501:55:482:03:402:12:302:21:202:30:102:39:002:47:502:56:403:05:303:14:203:23:103:32:003:40:503:49:403:51:36
8:558:5517:5026:45:0027:42:0035:40:0044:35:0053:30:0055:25:001:02:251:11:201:20:151:29:101:38:051:47:001:55:551:56:532:04:502:13:452:22:402:31:352:40:302:49:252:58:203:07:153:16:103:25:053:34:003:42:553:51:503:53:47
9:009:0018:0027:00:0027:58:0036:00:0045:00:0054:00:0055:56:001:03:001:12:001:21:001:30:001:39:001:48:001:57:001:57:592:06:002:15:002:24:002:33:002:42:002:51:003:00:003:09:003:18:003:27:003:36:003:45:003:54:003:55:58
9:059:0518:1027:15:0028:13:0036:20:0045:25:0054:30:0056:27:001:03:351:12:401:21:451:30:501:39:551:49:001:58:051:59:042:07:102:16:152:25:202:34:252:43:302:52:353:01:403:10:453:19:503:28:553:38:003:47:053:56:103:58:09
9:109:1018:2027:30:0028:29:0036:40:0045:50:0055:00:0056:58:001:04:101:13:201:22:301:31:401:40:501:50:001:59:102:00:102:08:202:17:302:26:402:35:502:45:002:54:103:03:203:12:303:21:403:30:503:40:003:49:103:58:204:00:21
9:159:1518:3027:45:0028:44:0037:00:0046:15:0055:30:0057:29:001:04:451:14:001:23:151:32:301:41:451:51:002:00:152:01:162:09:302:18:452:28:002:37:152:46:302:55:453:05:003:14:153:23:303:32:453:42:003:51:154:00:304:02:32
9:209:2018:4028:00:0029:00:0037:20:0046:40:0056:00:0058:00:001:05:201:14:401:24:001:33:201:42:401:52:002:01:202:02:212:10:402:20:002:29:202:38:402:48:002:57:203:06:403:16:003:25:203:34:403:44:003:53:204:02:404:04:43
9:259:2518:5028:15:0029:16:0037:40:0047:05:0056:30:0058:31:001:05:551:15:201:24:451:34:101:43:351:53:002:02:252:03:272:11:502:21:152:30:402:40:052:49:302:58:553:08:203:17:453:27:103:36:353:46:003:55:254:04:504:06:54
9:309:3019:0028:30:0029:31:0038:00:0047:30:0057:00:0059:02:001:06:301:16:001:25:301:35:001:44:301:54:002:03:302:04:322:13:002:22:302:32:002:41:302:51:003:00:303:10:003:19:303:29:003:38:303:48:003:57:304:07:004:09:05
9:359:3519:1028:45:0029:47:0038:20:0047:55:0057:30:0059:33:001:07:051:16:401:26:151:35:501:45:251:55:002:04:352:05:382:14:102:23:452:33:202:42:552:52:303:02:053:11:403:21:153:30:503:40:253:50:003:59:354:09:104:11:16
9:409:4019:2029:00:0030:02:0038:40:0048:20:0058:00:001:00:041:07:401:17:201:27:001:36:401:46:201:56:002:05:402:06:432:15:202:25:002:34:402:44:202:54:003:03:403:13:203:23:003:32:403:42:203:52:004:01:404:11:204:13:27
9:459:4519:3029:15:0030:18:0039:00:0048:45:0058:30:001:00:351:08:151:18:001:27:451:37:301:47:151:57:002:06:452:07:492:16:302:26:152:36:002:45:452:55:303:05:153:15:003:24:453:34:303:44:153:54:004:03:454:13:304:15:38
9:509:5019:4029:30:0030:33:0039:20:0049:10:0059:00:001:01:061:08:501:18:401:28:301:38:201:48:101:58:002:07:502:08:542:17:402:27:302:37:202:47:102:57:003:06:503:16:403:26:303:36:203:46:103:56:004:05:504:15:404:17:49
9:559:5519:5029:45:0030:49:0039:40:0049:35:0059:30:001:01:371:09:251:19:201:29:151:39:101:49:051:59:002:08:552:10:002:18:502:28:452:38:402:48:352:58:303:08:253:18:203:28:153:38:103:48:053:58:004:07:554:17:504:20:00
10:0010:0020:0030:00:0031:04:0040:00:0050:00:001:00:001:02:091:10:001:20:001:30:001:40:001:50:002:00:002:10:002:11:062:20:002:30:002:40:002:50:003:00:003:10:003:20:003:30:003:40:003:50:004:00:004:10:004:20:004:22:12
10:0510:0520:1030:15:0031:20:0040:20:0050:25:001:00:301:02:401:10:351:20:401:30:451:40:501:50:552:01:002:11:052:12:112:21:102:31:152:41:202:51:253:01:303:11:353:21:403:31:453:41:503:51:554:02:004:12:054:22:104:24:23
10:1010:1020:2030:30:0031:35:0040:40:0050:50:001:01:001:03:111:11:101:21:201:31:301:41:401:51:502:02:002:12:102:13:172:22:202:32:302:42:402:52:503:03:003:13:103:23:203:33:303:43:403:53:504:04:004:14:104:24:204:26:34
10:1510:1520:3030:45:0031:51:0041:00:0051:15:001:01:301:03:421:11:451:22:001:32:151:42:301:52:452:03:002:13:152:14:222:23:302:33:452:44:002:54:153:04:303:14:453:25:003:35:153:45:303:55:454:06:004:16:154:26:304:28:45
10:2010:2020:4031:00:0032:06:0041:20:0051:40:001:02:001:04:131:12:201:22:401:33:001:43:201:53:402:04:002:14:202:15:282:24:402:35:002:45:202:55:403:06:003:16:203:26:403:37:003:47:203:57:404:08:004:18:204:28:404:30:56
10:2510:2520:5031:15:0032:22:0041:40:0052:05:001:02:301:04:441:12:551:23:201:33:451:44:101:54:352:05:002:15:252:16:332:25:502:36:152:46:402:57:053:07:303:17:553:28:203:38:453:49:103:59:354:10:004:20:254:30:504:33:07
10:3010:3021:0031:30:0032:38:0042:00:0052:30:001:03:001:05:151:13:301:24:001:34:301:45:001:55:302:06:002:16:302:17:392:27:002:37:302:48:002:58:303:09:003:19:303:30:003:40:303:51:004:01:304:12:004:22:304:33:004:35:18
10:3510:3521:1031:45:0032:53:0042:20:0052:55:001:03:301:05:461:14:051:24:401:35:151:45:501:56:252:07:002:17:352:18:442:28:102:38:452:49:202:59:553:10:303:21:053:31:403:42:153:52:504:03:254:14:004:24:354:35:104:37:29
10:4010:4021:2032:00:0033:09:0042:40:0053:20:001:04:001:06:171:14:401:25:201:36:001:46:401:57:202:08:002:18:402:19:502:29:202:40:002:50:403:01:203:12:003:22:403:33:203:44:003:54:404:05:204:16:004:26:404:37:204:39:40
10:4510:4521:3032:15:0033:24:0043:00:0053:45:001:04:301:06:481:15:151:26:001:36:451:47:301:58:152:09:002:19:452:20:552:30:302:41:152:52:003:02:453:13:303:24:153:35:003:45:453:56:304:07:154:18:004:28:454:39:304:41:51
10:5010:5021:4032:30:0033:40:0043:20:0054:10:001:05:001:07:191:15:501:26:401:37:301:48:201:59:102:10:002:20:502:22:012:31:402:42:302:53:203:04:103:15:003:25:503:36:403:47:303:58:204:09:104:20:004:30:504:41:404:44:03
10:5510:5521:5032:45:0033:55:0043:40:0054:35:001:05:301:07:501:16:251:27:201:38:151:49:102:00:052:11:002:21:552:23:072:32:502:43:452:54:403:05:353:16:303:27:253:38:203:49:154:00:104:11:054:22:004:32:554:43:504:46:14
11:0011:0022:0033:00:0034:11:0044:00:0055:00:001:06:001:08:211:17:001:28:001:39:001:50:002:01:002:12:002:23:002:24:122:34:002:45:002:56:003:07:003:18:003:29:003:40:003:51:004:02:004:13:004:24:004:35:004:46:004:48:25
11:0511:0522:1033:15:0034:26:0044:20:0055:25:001:06:301:08:521:17:351:28:401:39:451:50:502:01:552:13:002:24:052:25:182:35:102:46:152:57:203:08:253:19:303:30:353:41:403:52:454:03:504:14:554:26:004:37:054:48:104:50:36
11:1011:1022:2033:30:0034:42:0044:40:0055:50:001:07:001:09:241:18:101:29:201:40:301:51:402:02:502:14:002:25:102:26:232:36:202:47:302:58:403:09:503:21:003:32:103:43:203:54:304:05:404:16:504:28:004:39:104:50:204:52:47
11:1511:1522:3033:45:0034:57:0045:00:0056:15:001:07:301:09:551:18:451:30:001:41:151:52:302:03:452:15:002:26:152:27:292:37:302:48:453:00:003:11:153:22:303:33:453:45:003:56:154:07:304:18:454:30:004:41:154:52:304:54:58
11:2011:2022:4034:00:0035:13:0045:20:0056:40:001:08:001:10:261:19:201:30:401:42:001:53:202:04:402:16:002:27:202:28:342:38:402:50:003:01:203:12:403:24:003:35:203:46:403:58:004:09:204:20:404:32:004:43:204:54:404:57:09
11:2511:2522:5034:15:0035:28:0045:40:0057:05:001:08:301:10:571:19:551:31:201:42:451:54:102:05:352:17:002:28:252:29:402:39:502:51:153:02:403:14:053:25:303:36:553:48:203:59:454:11:104:22:354:34:004:45:254:56:504:59:20
11:3011:3023:0034:30:0035:44:0046:00:0057:30:001:09:001:11:281:20:301:32:001:43:301:55:002:06:302:18:002:29:302:30:452:41:002:52:303:04:003:15:303:27:003:38:303:50:004:01:304:13:004:24:304:36:004:47:304:59:005:01:31
11:3511:3523:1034:45:0036:00:0046:20:0057:55:001:09:301:11:591:21:051:32:401:44:151:55:502:07:252:19:002:30:352:31:512:42:102:53:453:05:203:16:553:28:303:40:053:51:404:03:154:14:504:26:254:38:004:49:355:01:105:03:42
11:4011:4023:2035:00:0036:15:0046:40:0058:20:001:10:001:12:301:21:401:33:201:45:001:56:402:08:202:20:002:31:402:32:572:43:202:55:003:06:403:18:203:30:003:41:403:53:204:05:004:16:404:28:204:40:004:51:405:03:205:05:54
11:4511:4523:3035:15:0036:31:0047:00:0058:45:001:10:301:13:011:22:151:34:001:45:451:57:302:09:152:21:002:32:452:34:022:44:302:56:153:08:003:19:453:31:303:43:153:55:004:06:454:18:304:30:154:42:004:53:455:05:305:08:05
11:5011:5023:4035:30:0036:46:0047:20:0059:10:001:11:001:13:321:22:501:34:401:46:301:58:202:10:102:22:002:33:502:35:082:45:402:57:303:09:203:21:103:33:003:44:503:56:404:08:304:20:204:32:104:44:004:55:505:07:405:10:16
11:5511:5523:5035:45:0037:02:0047:40:0059:35:001:11:301:14:031:23:251:35:201:47:151:59:102:11:052:23:002:34:552:36:132:46:502:58:453:10:403:22:353:34:303:46:253:58:204:10:154:22:104:34:054:46:004:57:555:09:505:12:27
12:0012:0024:00:0036:00:0037:17:0048:00:001:00:001:12:001:14:341:24:001:36:001:48:002:00:002:12:002:24:002:36:002:37:192:48:003:00:003:12:003:24:003:36:003:48:004:00:004:12:004:24:004:36:004:48:005:00:005:12:005:14:38
12:0512:0524:10:0036:15:0037:33:0048:20:001:00:251:12:301:15:051:24:351:36:401:48:452:00:502:12:552:25:002:37:052:38:242:49:103:01:153:13:203:25:253:37:303:49:354:01:404:13:454:25:504:37:554:50:005:02:055:14:105:16:49
12:1012:1024:20:0036:30:0037:48:0048:40:001:00:501:13:001:15:361:25:101:37:201:49:302:01:402:13:502:26:002:38:102:39:302:50:203:02:303:14:403:26:503:39:003:51:104:03:204:15:304:27:404:39:504:52:005:04:105:16:205:19:00
12:1512:1524:30:0036:45:0038:04:0049:00:001:01:151:13:301:16:081:25:451:38:001:50:152:02:302:14:452:27:002:39:152:40:352:51:303:03:453:16:003:28:153:40:303:52:454:05:004:17:154:29:304:41:454:54:005:06:155:18:305:21:11
12:2012:2024:40:0037:00:0038:19:0049:20:001:01:401:14:001:16:391:26:201:38:401:51:002:03:202:15:402:28:002:40:202:41:412:52:403:05:003:17:203:29:403:42:003:54:204:06:404:19:004:31:204:43:404:56:005:08:205:20:405:23:22
12:2512:2524:50:0037:15:0038:35:0049:40:001:02:051:14:301:17:101:26:551:39:201:51:452:04:102:16:352:29:002:41:252:42:462:53:503:06:153:18:403:31:053:43:303:55:554:08:204:20:454:33:104:45:354:58:005:10:255:22:505:25:33
12:3012:3025:00:0037:30:0038:51:0050:00:001:02:301:15:001:17:411:27:301:40:001:52:302:05:002:17:302:30:002:42:302:43:522:55:003:07:303:20:003:32:303:45:003:57:304:10:004:22:304:35:004:47:305:00:005:12:305:25:005:27:45
12:3512:3525:10:0037:45:0039:06:0050:20:001:02:551:15:301:18:121:28:051:40:401:53:152:05:502:18:252:31:002:43:352:44:582:56:103:08:453:21:203:33:553:46:303:59:054:11:404:24:154:36:504:49:255:02:005:14:355:27:105:29:56
12:4012:4025:20:0038:00:0039:22:0050:40:001:03:201:16:001:18:431:28:401:41:201:54:002:06:402:19:202:32:002:44:402:46:032:57:203:10:003:22:403:35:203:48:004:00:404:13:204:26:004:38:404:51:205:04:005:16:405:29:205:32:07
12:4512:4525:30:0038:15:0039:37:0051:00:001:03:451:16:301:19:141:29:151:42:001:54:452:07:302:20:152:33:002:45:452:47:092:58:303:11:153:24:003:36:453:49:304:02:154:15:004:27:454:40:304:53:155:06:005:18:455:31:305:34:18
12:5012:5025:40:0038:30:0039:53:0051:20:001:04:101:17:001:19:451:29:501:42:401:55:302:08:202:21:102:34:002:46:502:48:142:59:403:12:303:25:203:38:103:51:004:03:504:16:404:29:304:42:204:55:105:08:005:20:505:33:405:36:29
12:5512:5525:50:0038:45:0040:08:0051:40:001:04:351:17:301:20:161:30:251:43:201:56:152:09:102:22:052:35:002:47:552:49:203:00:503:13:453:26:403:39:353:52:304:05:254:18:204:31:154:44:104:57:055:10:005:22:555:35:505:38:40
13:0013:0026:00:0039:00:0040:24:0052:00:001:05:001:18:001:20:471:31:001:44:001:57:002:10:002:23:002:36:002:49:002:50:253:02:003:15:003:28:003:41:003:54:004:07:004:20:004:33:004:46:004:59:005:12:005:25:005:38:005:40:51
13:0513:0526:10:0039:15:0040:39:0052:20:001:05:251:18:301:21:181:31:351:44:401:57:452:10:502:23:552:37:002:50:052:51:313:03:103:16:153:29:203:42:253:55:304:08:354:21:404:34:454:47:505:00:555:14:005:27:055:40:105:43:02
13:1013:1026:20:0039:30:0040:55:0052:40:001:05:501:19:001:21:491:32:101:45:201:58:302:11:402:24:502:38:002:51:102:52:363:04:203:17:303:30:403:43:503:57:004:10:104:23:204:36:304:49:405:02:505:16:005:29:105:42:205:45:13
13:1513:1526:30:0039:45:0041:10:0053:00:001:06:151:19:301:22:201:32:451:46:001:59:152:12:302:25:452:39:002:52:152:53:423:05:303:18:453:32:003:45:153:58:304:11:454:25:004:38:154:51:305:04:455:18:005:31:155:44:305:47:24
13:2013:2026:40:0040:00:0041:26:0053:20:001:06:401:20:001:22:521:33:201:46:402:00:002:13:202:26:402:40:002:53:202:54:483:06:403:20:003:33:203:46:404:00:004:13:204:26:404:40:004:53:205:06:405:20:005:33:205:46:405:49:36
13:2513:2526:50:0040:15:0041:41:0053:40:001:07:051:20:301:23:231:33:551:47:202:00:452:14:102:27:352:41:002:54:252:55:533:07:503:21:153:34:403:48:054:01:304:14:554:28:204:41:454:55:105:08:355:22:005:35:255:48:505:51:47
13:3013:3027:00:0040:30:0041:57:0054:00:001:07:301:21:001:23:541:34:301:48:002:01:302:15:002:28:302:42:002:55:302:56:593:09:003:22:303:36:003:49:304:03:004:16:304:30:004:43:304:57:005:10:305:24:005:37:305:51:005:53:58
13:3513:3527:10:0040:45:0042:13:0054:20:001:07:551:21:301:24:251:35:051:48:402:02:152:15:502:29:252:43:002:56:352:58:043:10:103:23:453:37:203:50:554:04:304:18:054:31:404:45:154:58:505:12:255:26:005:39:355:53:105:56:09
13:4013:4027:20:0041:00:0042:28:0054:40:001:08:201:22:001:24:561:35:401:49:202:03:002:16:402:30:202:44:002:57:402:59:103:11:203:25:003:38:403:52:204:06:004:19:404:33:204:47:005:00:405:14:205:28:005:41:405:55:205:58:20
13:4513:4527:30:0041:15:0042:44:0055:00:001:08:451:22:301:25:271:36:151:50:002:03:452:17:302:31:152:45:002:58:453:00:153:12:303:26:153:40:003:53:454:07:304:21:154:35:004:48:455:02:305:16:155:30:005:43:455:57:306:00:31
13:5013:5027:40:0041:30:0042:59:0055:20:001:09:101:23:001:25:581:36:501:50:402:04:302:18:202:32:102:46:002:59:503:01:213:13:403:27:303:41:203:55:104:09:004:22:504:36:404:50:305:04:205:18:105:32:005:45:505:59:406:02:42
13:5513:5527:50:0041:45:0043:15:0055:40:001:09:351:23:301:26:291:37:251:51:202:05:152:19:102:33:052:47:003:00:553:02:263:14:503:28:453:42:403:56:354:10:304:24:254:38:204:52:155:06:105:20:055:34:005:47:556:01:506:04:53
14:0014:0028:00:0042:00:0043:30:0056:00:001:10:001:24:001:27:001:38:001:52:002:06:002:20:002:34:002:48:003:02:003:03:323:16:003:30:003:44:003:58:004:12:004:26:004:40:004:54:005:08:005:22:005:36:005:50:006:04:006:07:04
14:0514:0528:10:0042:15:0043:46:0056:20:001:10:251:24:301:27:311:38:351:52:402:06:452:20:502:34:552:49:003:03:053:04:373:17:103:31:153:45:203:59:254:13:304:27:354:41:404:55:455:09:505:23:555:38:005:52:056:06:106:09:15
14:1014:1028:20:0042:30:0044:01:0056:40:001:10:501:25:001:28:021:39:101:53:202:07:302:21:402:35:502:50:003:04:103:05:433:18:203:32:303:46:404:00:504:15:004:29:104:43:204:57:305:11:405:25:505:40:005:54:106:08:206:11:27
14:1514:1528:30:0042:45:0044:17:0057:00:001:11:151:25:301:28:331:39:451:54:002:08:152:22:302:36:452:51:003:05:153:06:493:19:303:33:453:48:004:02:154:16:304:30:454:45:004:59:155:13:305:27:455:42:005:56:156:10:306:13:38
14:2014:2028:40:0043:00:0044:32:0057:20:001:11:401:26:001:29:041:40:201:54:402:09:002:23:202:37:402:52:003:06:203:07:543:20:403:35:003:49:204:03:404:18:004:32:204:46:405:01:005:15:205:29:405:44:005:58:206:12:406:15:49
14:2514:2528:50:0043:15:0044:48:0057:40:001:12:051:26:301:29:351:40:551:55:202:09:452:24:102:38:352:53:003:07:253:09:003:21:503:36:153:50:404:05:054:19:304:33:554:48:205:02:455:17:105:31:355:46:006:00:256:14:506:18:00
14:3014:3029:00:0043:30:0045:03:0058:00:001:12:301:27:001:30:071:41:301:56:002:10:302:25:002:39:302:54:003:08:303:10:053:23:003:37:303:52:004:06:304:21:004:35:304:50:005:04:305:19:005:33:305:48:006:02:306:17:006:20:11
14:3514:3529:10:0043:45:0045:19:0058:20:001:12:551:27:301:30:381:42:051:56:402:11:152:25:502:40:252:55:003:09:353:11:113:24:103:38:453:53:204:07:554:22:304:37:054:51:405:06:155:20:505:35:255:50:006:04:356:19:106:22:22
14:4014:4029:20:0044:00:0045:35:0058:40:001:13:201:28:001:31:091:42:401:57:202:12:002:26:402:41:202:56:003:10:403:12:163:25:203:40:003:54:404:09:204:24:004:38:404:53:205:08:005:22:405:37:205:52:006:06:406:21:206:24:33
14:4514:4529:30:0044:15:0045:50:0059:00:001:13:451:28:301:31:401:43:151:58:002:12:452:27:302:42:152:57:003:11:453:13:223:26:303:41:153:56:004:10:454:25:304:40:154:55:005:09:455:24:305:39:155:54:006:08:456:23:306:26:44
14:5014:5029:40:0044:30:0046:06:0059:20:001:14:101:29:001:32:111:43:501:58:402:13:302:28:202:43:102:58:003:12:503:14:273:27:403:42:303:57:204:12:104:27:004:41:504:56:405:11:305:26:205:41:105:56:006:10:506:25:406:28:55
14:5514:5529:50:0044:45:0046:21:0059:40:001:14:351:29:301:32:421:44:251:59:202:14:152:29:102:44:052:59:003:13:553:15:333:28:503:43:453:58:404:13:354:28:304:43:254:58:205:13:155:28:105:43:055:58:006:12:556:27:506:31:06
15:0015:0030:00:0045:00:0046:37:001:00:001:15:001:30:001:33:131:45:002:00:002:15:002:30:002:45:003:00:003:15:003:16:393:30:003:45:004:00:004:15:004:30:004:45:005:00:005:15:005:30:005:45:006:00:006:15:006:30:006:33:18
15:0515:0530:10:0045:15:0046:52:001:00:201:15:251:30:301:33:441:45:352:00:402:15:452:30:502:45:553:01:003:16:053:17:443:31:103:46:154:01:204:16:254:31:304:46:355:01:405:16:455:31:505:46:556:02:006:17:056:32:106:35:29
15:1015:1030:20:0045:30:0047:08:001:00:401:15:501:31:001:34:151:46:102:01:202:16:302:31:402:46:503:02:003:17:103:18:503:32:203:47:304:02:404:17:504:33:004:48:105:03:205:18:305:33:405:48:506:04:006:19:106:34:206:37:40
15:1515:1530:30:0045:45:0047:23:001:01:001:16:151:31:301:34:461:46:452:02:002:17:152:32:302:47:453:03:003:18:153:19:553:33:303:48:454:04:004:19:154:34:304:49:455:05:005:20:155:35:305:50:456:06:006:21:156:36:306:39:51
15:2015:2030:40:0046:00:0047:39:001:01:201:16:401:32:001:35:171:47:202:02:402:18:002:33:202:48:403:04:003:19:203:21:013:34:403:50:004:05:204:20:404:36:004:51:205:06:405:22:005:37:205:52:406:08:006:23:206:38:406:42:02
15:2515:2530:50:0046:15:0047:54:001:01:401:17:051:32:301:35:481:47:552:03:202:18:452:34:102:49:353:05:003:20:253:22:063:35:503:51:154:06:404:22:054:37:304:52:555:08:205:23:455:39:105:54:356:10:006:25:256:40:506:44:13
15:3015:3031:00:0046:30:0048:10:001:02:001:17:301:33:001:36:191:48:302:04:002:19:302:35:002:50:303:06:003:21:303:23:123:37:003:52:304:08:004:23:304:39:004:54:305:10:005:25:305:41:005:56:306:12:006:27:306:43:006:46:24
15:3515:3531:10:0046:45:0048:25:001:02:201:17:551:33:301:36:511:49:052:04:402:20:152:35:502:51:253:07:003:22:353:24:173:38:103:53:454:09:204:24:554:40:304:56:055:11:405:27:155:42:505:58:256:14:006:29:356:45:106:48:35
15:4015:4031:20:0047:00:0048:41:001:02:401:18:201:34:001:37:221:49:402:05:202:21:002:36:402:52:203:08:003:23:403:25:233:39:203:55:004:10:404:26:204:42:004:57:405:13:205:29:005:44:406:00:206:16:006:31:406:47:206:50:46
15:4515:4531:30:0047:15:0048:57:001:03:001:18:451:34:301:37:531:50:152:06:002:21:452:37:302:53:153:09:003:24:453:26:283:40:303:56:154:12:004:27:454:43:304:59:155:15:005:30:455:46:306:02:156:18:006:33:456:49:306:52:57
15:5015:5031:40:0047:30:0049:12:001:03:201:19:101:35:001:38:241:50:502:06:402:22:302:38:202:54:103:10:003:25:503:27:343:41:403:57:304:13:204:29:104:45:005:00:505:16:405:32:305:48:206:04:106:20:006:35:506:51:406:55:09
15:5515:5531:50:0047:45:0049:28:001:03:401:19:351:35:301:38:551:51:252:07:202:23:152:39:102:55:053:11:003:26:553:28:403:42:503:58:454:14:404:30:354:46:305:02:255:18:205:34:155:50:106:06:056:22:006:37:556:53:506:57:20
16:0016:0032:00:0048:00:0049:43:001:04:001:20:001:36:001:39:261:52:002:08:002:24:002:40:002:56:003:12:003:28:003:29:453:44:004:00:004:16:004:32:004:48:005:04:005:20:005:36:005:52:006:08:006:24:006:40:006:56:006:59:31

How to Fuel for a Marathon

One thing that you should not leave to chance is fueling. Everything from the food you eat the day before your long run, to breakfast on your marathon morning to the fuel you use on the course should be planned and practiced. 

A good rule of thumb is to take in some type of fuel every 45 minutes or so of running. Bear in mind that each runner’s body is unique and so are your needs while exercising. There are runners who fuel more frequently and some who need far fewer calories during a long run.

The key is to find your own sweet spot.

6 Tips from Real Runners

Janina Tubby – Toilets or a lack of a porta-potty can make or break you. In the last marathon, I ran, there were not enough toilets at the start and I had no time, so I stopped at the first toilet and it took me 10 minutes or more to clear. I nearly didn’t make the first cut-off.

Bill Kent – Fair Weather Training: If you change all your long runs to hit the optimal weather, race day will suck. It’ll either be 80 when you trained at 50 or a monsoon will hit when you did all your long runs in clear skies. Just run your long runs in whatever weather it happens to be that morning.

Carolinka Jzrsk – Watch The Crowds: Be careful of the packs all clogged together at the start. I saw someone fall at the start of the San Francisco marathon and almost tripped over them myself. Pay attention!

Valerie Danyluk: Nothing New on Race Day: Don’t wear anything on race day you haven’t already run more than 10 miles in. I ran the marathon in compression tights, which I love. But they are impossible to pull up and down while sweaty when you have to pee and I had not tested them on that issue or long runs.

Zoe Hill: DON’T SIT DOWN NO MATTER HOW BADLY YOU WANT TO!!! Your feet are supposed to hurt!!! Commiserate with someone! 

Sarah Wiliarty: Why To Do It: It will be harder and more worthwhile than you expect. It might change your life.

For additional marathon training advice, read our article titled The 80/20 Guide To Marathon Training: 9 Running Coaches Give Expert Advice.

Are You Ready?

If your gut is nagging away and telling you that you need to complete a marathon, you should consider just a few things first.

Are you at a point in your life where you have the time to dedicate to training?

Is the time of year right for you?

For example, I am not a good hot weather runner. Training for a September marathon would have me running my longest miles in the heat of summer. That would not be a great date choice for me.

If you have read this far and you are still feeling the nagging urge to move forward, listen to that voice. It will likely be the hardest thing you have ever done, and you won’t regret doing it. 

Latest Articles