Running a marathon

The London Marathon takes place on Sunday 22 April this year and is already full - places were allocated months ago via a ballot system. As one of the most popular running events in the world, you could be forgiven for not realising that it is, at its heart, an event for elite runners racing against the clock. The majority of the people in the marathon do it for fun and, in fact, running a marathon for charity has become a hugely popular goal. Here are a few tips if you're thinking about committing yourself to the famous 26.2 mile challenge.

Enter early. As you can tell from the above, even getting to the start line can be hard work in itself. The popular marathons of the world - London, New York, Boston, Chicago and Berlin - attract thousands of applicants and the procedure starts up to a year in advance, so make sure you enter in good time.

Train. Ever wondered, 'Can I run a marathon without training?' The answer is no - thinking that you can just turn up and suffer on the day can seriously backfire and many people pull out each year through cramp, fatigue and many other ailments. You have to get your body used to running (or jogging/walking) big distances in advance. In fact, if you're applying a year beforehand, that's probably a good time to start training too!

Think feet. Having a properly-fitted pair of trainers is essential, for the training and the marathon itself. As well as helping avoid blisters, muscular and joint problems, they'll also help you get the most out of your stride, so less wasted energy.

Buddy up. Having a friend alongside you for the training or even the marathon itself can be a real boost for both of you. If you like the idea of the challenge but are a little hesitant to do it alone, why not ask your friends if anyone wants to join you - it might be the push they need to enter too!

Enjoy it. Yes, it's hard, it's going to hurt and there will be points when you wished you weren't doing it - that's sort of the point! Just think of the feeling of achievement you'll get from finishing it and enjoy the moment - if nothing else it's something to tell the grandkids about!

Date: 03/02/2012