Every marathon runner comes to a point where he feels the need to go bigger. Well, if you feel that way, maybe it’s because your time has arrived as well. You don’t have to conquer marathon after marathon until the end of your life right?
No worries. Have a look at these tips that we’ve gathered from field experts that aim to help you develop a potentially effective routine that can easily send you to the next step of your running career.
It’s time to invest in the right gear
And by the ‘right’ gear, we don’t mean the fancy ones, no no. We mean the NECCESARY ones. We know it might be tempting to follow the trends and grab all the latest hydration packs, fancy headphones or fitness clocks, but believe us when we say; you won’t need most of them.
Keeping it simple and remembering the real essence of your sport is what will get you from one point to the other. First of all, you need to invest in a good, comfortable pair of shoes. This is the basic thing every good, pro runner needs.
And then, it might be the right time for you to grab some comfortable, suitable outfits that go along with the current weather conditions as well. Leave all the trendy and fancy gear to the ones that aim to increase their Instagram photo base.
Never underestimate the Rest Days
Dedicated, pre-scheduled and well-thought rest days are essential! Never doubt that. Every pro athlete needs at least two rest days a week in order to give their body enough time to recuperate the lost muscle mass and allow them to recover and regenerate.
If you feel tired and think your motivation level has started to decrease, then this might also be a sign of overtraining. Setting some time apart for your body to refuel and your mind to relax, should be seen as an investment for your future career and performances.
Find what works best for you
And by that, we mean to find the right type of fuel you need to give your best on the running field. Keeping your body fueled while working on your techniques and resistance is the right formula to follow. The truth is, until now, you might have even got away with skipping the fuel thing and still being able to resist a 5k marathon until the finish line.
But, in case you’re aiming to go far and make ultramarathon your next thing, then it’s time to start focusing more on the fuel you need to take before each race or training session.
For many athletes, oatmeal works miracles, while for some others, a banana or fiber bar is all their body can handle. Finally, don’t forget to hydrate. Staying fueled and also hydrated while running for more than 5 hours is literally critical for your well-being and then for your performance.
