Thinking of taking on a marathon? Don’t leave the house without reading our expert tips for top training and nifty nutrition, says Fiona Adams
I like running. There is a freedom to it: open your front door, run down the road, find the river or a park and jog along for half and hour or so then head home. You can clear your head and put the world to rights; it’s free and you can pick your moment according to the weather. Of course, there are dispiriting times when you lack enthusiasm or energy (I was once overtaken in Bushy Park by someone pushing a child in a buggy) but on the whole it can be very uplifting.
Mind you, a quick sprint around the park is not the same as taking on a much longer course as those of you training for this month’s Virgin Money London Marathon will surely testify. And while neither should be attempted without honestly assessing your current fitness or sparing a thought to kit (decent running shoes for a start), it’s also important to realize that a weekly 30-minute jog will not prepare you sufficiently for 26 miles and 385 yards of hard road running.
Marathons require commitment, proper training patterns and really good nutrition. They are not, to coin a phrase, a walk in the park. However, don’t let me put you off. You can give yourself the best possible chance of completing them – and enjoying them – if you prepare well. If you are already signed up for an upcoming race or are tempted to take on a new challenge, read our advice from local experts. You can even win a pair of top-flight running shoes to get going.
