Ready. Set. Marathon. Blog - Page 10 of 14

Caffeine Before Running and How it Affects Your Performance

Many people start their day with a fresh cup of joe. In fact, coffee is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. And the running community definitely drinks its fair share. Whether I'm running first thing or not, I personally love starting my day with coffee to wake up a bit, but I usually stop at one cup. It got me wondering how caffeine affects a runner's performance...and just how much coffee a runner should be...

Preparing for a Long Run in Marathon Training – Follow These 10 Steps

The weekly long run is incredibly important during marathon training. Since it's an endurance event, you're going to need to build yours up. The best way to do that is incorporating one long run per week into your training. These can be daunting, but with the right preparation, they'll go so much better! Preparing for a long run during marathon training is your first line in getting it completed successfully. And who doesn't...

REVEL Marathons and What to Expect

In September of 2018, I toed the line of my fourth marathon to attempt my goal of qualifying for Boston. Though I ended up with a 5-minute PR, it was still close to 3 minutes off of the time I needed to qualify. It was a bittersweet feeling. I had accomplished another marathon with a PR, but I had trained hard for a time I didn't get. That night I went home and started searching for another marathon I could run before the...

How long does it take to run a full marathon?

Most non-runners don't even know how long a marathon is let alone how long it takes to run one. Once I tell them it takes a few (or several) hours, they usually look at me like I'm crazy and say they could never do that. But, I believe almost anyone can run a marathon which I wrote about here. Some will be faster, some will be slower, and most people will finish in a time somewhere in the middle. Most recreational...

Running at Night Safety: Benefits, Top Tips and Gear

Whether you are a seasoned in-the-dark runner, or are considering starting a routine that requires pre-dawn or nighttime running, it's important that you take extra precaution to do so safely. Running at night doesn’t have to be dangerous. Having a safe run in the dark means making smart decisions, wearing the right gear, and taking the necessary steps to keep yourself out of harm's way. Whether it’s short days, it’s too hot...

The Best Running Hats to Keep Off Sweat and Sun in 2022

As a runner, you are no stranger to sweat. And if you're a heavy sweater like me, you know there's no shortage of it especially on hot, sunny days. I personally love working up a good sweat because I love the feeling of pushing myself. It's a reminder of strength, endurance, and staying healthy. What I don't like about sweat is when it gets in my face - and I'm going to guess that you agree. Here I'm focusing on finding the...

Decisions, Decisions…What to carry during a marathon?

When making the decision to run a marathon, you know the first thing you need to do is get running. Months and months of training are required. But even though the actual running part is the most important, there are many other factors to consider in order to be strong for your race and make the day go as smoothly as possible. Part of this includes having the essential items you need to complete the race to the best of your...

The Best Marathon in Each State

With over 700 marathons scheduled in the U.S. annually, it's tough to narrow down which one to choose. Whether you're trying to run a marathon in every state or are just looking to find the perfect marathon in a few states in particular, hopefully this list can save you a lot of extra searching. Here is my line up of the best marathon in each state! Alabama - Rocket City Marathon Where: Huntsville, ALWhen: DecemberWhy...

What is a marathon relay?

Not everyone wants to run a marathon. As much as I try to convince every runner I meet that they should run at least one before completely writing it off forever, it's understandable why people would prefer to stick to shorter distances. That was definitely my jam for a long time, too. But one way for people to be a part of the marathon experience without making the huge leap is through a marathon relay. So, what is a...

Carrying Your Own Water in a Marathon: The Good and the Bad

I've never run a marathon without carrying my own water and fuel. There are a lot of reasons I do this, but lately I've been wondering if I'm hindering my performance at all by doing so. I wanted to look into both the advantages and disadvantages of carrying your own water in a marathon as well as the best options for carrying if you decide to go that route. The reason I got to thinking about this question so much lately is...