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Marathon Training

How long does it take to run a full marathon?

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...

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Decisions, Decisions…What to carry during a marathon?

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...

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The Best Marathon in Each State

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...

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What is a marathon relay?

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...

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

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...

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How Orangetheory Fits Into Your Marathon Training

How Orangetheory Fits Into Your Marathon Training

I've been a member at Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) for about three and a half years. It was recommended to me by a friend, so I took a free trial class. My thoughts were, "I'm just going to do this one class for fun. I'm not going to join...I don't want to spend the money on it. I can run for free." Well, I ate my words, because I was instantly hooked. When I started training for a marathon in 2017, Orangetheory had become a...

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10 Ways to Keep Boredom Away on Your Long Run

10 Ways to Keep Boredom Away on Your Long Run

When my marathon training comes up among fellow runners who generally stick with shorter distances the top comments usually are, "I don't think I could ever run that far," and, "How do you not get bored?" I think it's very normal for a distance of 15+ miles to seem impossible when you feel out of breath after only a few miles, and I also understand that a long run sounds like it could be incredibly boring. So, how do you not...

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Why Banking Time in Your Marathon is a Bad Idea

Why Banking Time in Your Marathon is a Bad Idea

Whether you've run a marathon before or not, you're likely not new to the racing part of running. The feelings that come up as you await the starting gun are similar for every running distance. Maybe you're two parts excited, one part nervous (or the other way around)...and you have energy you're ready to burn. Seconds later the gun goes off and the adrenaline is coursing through your veins. Your watch beeps at mile one and...

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Want to be prepared for your marathon? Run More Miles

Want to be prepared for your marathon? Run More Miles

Whether you want to run a marathon in the future or are ready to embark on your first marathon training cycle you're probably wondering what kind of mileage commitment to expect. As a seasoned runner you may be working toward a personal record and wondering if increasing your mileage will help you. Here you'll find out what kind of weekly mileage it takes in training to run a marathon well. The old adage of "you get out what...

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Top 10 Marathon Runner Must-Haves

Top 10 Marathon Runner Must-Haves

One of the biggest reasons that I started running was because it was fuss-free. I already owned a t-shirt, a pair of athletic shorts, and a pair of running shoes. And there was a sidewalk right outside my door that I could run on. This shortlist of marathon runner must-haves carried me through a lot of years of low-mileage running. But once I started focusing on getting faster as well as running marathons, the list of what I...

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Marathon Running Tips & Tricks

New videos posted weekends. Perfect for watching while prepping or recovering from your long run!