Five Mistakes First Time Marathoners Make by Meb Keflezighi

Training for a marathon? Here are five mistakes first time marathoners make written by Meb Keflezighi (great tips for any distance race!)

Hi friends, I have another guest post today! This one is for the runners out there and it’s written by Meb Keflezighi, well-known Olympic marathon runner and author. It has some basic tips on what mistakes to avoid during your first marathon.

While I don’t run marathons (yet) and I don’t typically post about marathons, I really liked Meb’s tips since these can be used for just about any race distance, and even other types of endurance events like cycling or triathlons. These might be basic ideas for seasoned runners, but they are welcome tips for anyone new to racing.

Preparing mentally and physically for any race (whether a marathon or something shorter) is crucial for success and continued participation in the future. Here are a few tips from Meb about 5 mistakes first time marathoners make and how to avoid them!

Five Mistakes First Time Marathoners Make by Meb Keflezighi

1. Refusing to taper before the race: A race of 18-20 miles takes about four weeks to recover from. Many marathoners try to squeeze in one last long run as the race approaches, and this leaves them unable to properly recover in time for the race and thus unable to perform at their best.

2. Forgetting to refuel during the race: It’s easy to get distracted on race day and forget to refuel, but by the time you feel the impact it’s too late. Consume an energy gel around the sixth mile to keep your energy up and replenish electrolytes for hydration and fuel for the rest of the race.

3. Starting too strong: Many racers think it’s smart to surge faster than their usual pace at the beginning to make up for their slower speed toward the finish. This ends up being a downfall because it causes runners to burn through too much energy early on.

4. Trying something new the day of the race: There are so many great energy supplements runners can use to fuel up before, during, and after a race, but it’s important to make sure your body is used to running with these supplements. If you plan on using gels and energy drinks, make sure that you use them while you train so that they become a part of your routine.

5. Indulging after the race: It’s tempting to celebrate your finish by going out with family and friends to indulge in comfort foods. This big meal will likely delay your post-race recovery; definitely treat yourself, but don’t let it get out of hand. Right after the race, it’s best to refuel with a high quality protein (*my note: and some quick digesting carbohydrates!)

Post images from Unsplash, taken by Agberto Guimaraes