Ready. Set. Marathon. Running Library:

Marathon Training

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...

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...

A Guide to How Much Mileage Marathon Runners Run

A marathon can be a daunting challenge, and for good reason. 26.2 miles is a long way for one, but training for one is also a major time commitment. It takes a lot of mileage to prepare to run a marathon (and even more to run it to maximum potential.) But, how much do marathon runners actually have to run? Most marathon runners prepare by running between 30 - 50 miles per week with less mileage in the beginning of marathon...

How long is a marathon?

As someone who's been running for 20 years, it's easy for me to forget that not everyone is up on the lingo of the sport. When I tell people I have a marathon coming up, I think most people realize it's quite a long distance, but unless they're distance runners themselves, I don't think they know exactly how many miles it actually is. Just like 5k and 10k have little meaning to non-runners, until you or someone you know is...

How to Prevent Injury in Marathon Training

There is no doubt that runners place a lot of stress on their bodies when they train for marathons. The kind of mileage that properly training for a marathon requires means there is usually a much higher risk for injury than for someone who simply runs for exercise or who is training for a shorter distance race. So how do you prevent injury so you can get to the starting line ready to roll? The best way to prevent injury in...

The Power of the Medium Long Run in Marathon Training

Most won't argue that the long run is the glue when it comes to marathon training. Every single week runners improve their endurance by gradually building the mileage of their long run. Skipping them or even cutting them short can easily cause your training to completely fall apart. But long runs aren't sufficient on their own to getting a runner to reach their potential in the marathon. Today we're talking about another...