Ready. Set. Marathon. Blog - Page 6 of 14

What You Should Eat Before a Morning Long Run (and the Foods You Need to Avoid)

One of the questions I'm asked the most often as a marathon runner is what I eat before all my morning long runs. We've all had those runs (no pun intended) where our stomach starts churning and the car or home is miles away. The key is to find the right foods that fuel you with energy, but keep your stomach feeling good. Let's keep you on track by talking about what to eat before a morning long run. The best foods to eat...

Can You Train for a Marathon and Build Muscle?

People run for many different reasons. Perhaps the reason you run is to get rid of stress, run with your dogs, to stay healthy, to compete in races or to lose weight. But people don't generally choose running as a way to build muscle. So what are you to do if you want to run more and start training for a marathon, but also want to maintain or build muscle at the same time? It is difficult to build muscle while training for a...

Best Holiday Gifts of 2023 for All Your Favorite Runners

What better way to start off one of your loved one's 2023 training with the perfect holiday gift? Everything in this runner's holiday gift guide is either something I have, my husband has, my best running friends have (and have witnessed their amazingness), or is something that I really, really want but don't have yet. I hope you find the perfect gift for the runner in your life! Must-Have Running Gifts This is the MUST HAVE...

7 of the Best Running Gloves and Mittens for Cold Weather Running in 2024

Running when it's freezing isn't most people's idea of fun. But as we runners know, the training can't stop just because it's cold outside. Instead, it's important to find the gear that keeps you comfortable while you brave those frigid temps. If you're considering skipping the gloves and mittens for cold weather running, there's a good chance you'll be sorry. So that you don't make the mistake of trying to go for miles with...

Why is running so hard? (And will it ever get easier?)

Almost every runner when they're starting out wonders why it's so dang hard. So if that's where you're at right now, and wondering if it's ever going to get any easier, join the ranks of pretty much every runner who had to start somewhere. Running IS hard, and there's a good reason for it. Running can be hard for anyone but is especially hard for a new runner doing too much, too soon. Running at a pace that you have not...

How to Train for a Marathon in the Winter

I had never trained for a marathon in the winter until I was basically forced to. Okay, no one forced me to, but if I wanted to run the Boston Marathon (my dream race I'd worked so hard to qualify for), I was going to have to train through Colorado's coldest months. There was a learning curve, but I learned strategies to properly train for a marathon during the frigid winter and you can, too. Training for a marathon in...

Should You Run a Marathon? It’s Time to Say “Yes!”

If you're toying with the idea of running a marathon, you're likely already a pretty avid runner. I'm guessing you've raced 5ks and 10ks and perhaps some half marathons as well. At this point, it's natural to be asking yourself, "Should I run a marathon?" Though I can't make the decision for you, I'll happily give you some reasons to help guide your choice. You should run a marathon if: it's one of your goals it sounds...

Why Marathon Runners Wear Foil Blankets at the End of the Race

If you've watched a marathon, you may have noticed that all the runners wrap themselves in a foil sheet after they cross the finish line. It looks a bit weird, and you might think it's just for advertisements. However, foil blankets serve an important purpose once runners have finished the marathon. Marathon runners wear foil blankets after running to keep themselves warm and avoid post-race chills. After a race, their body...

Is the marathon aerobic or anaerobic? How to Run it Right

Not all running feels the same. Recall the wind sprints of death you had to do in high school and compare that to the light jog you did yesterday to hurry across the street. And if you're a runner, you know easy jogs feel completely different than the speedwork you have to do. Easy runs are aerobic-dominant and hard runs are more anaerobic. But when it comes to the 26.2-mile marathon, which is it? Are marathons aerobic or...

The Expense of Marathons (and How to Make Them Cheaper)

Running is supposed to be an inexpensive sport, right? Well it is...at least until you decide you want to start showing what you're made of in races. The cost of a 5k isn't so bad, but the dollar signs really start coming when you sign up for endurance races like the marathon. So, why are marathons so expensive? There are a lot of factors involved in putting on a marathon event and those costs add up. Though corporate...