Is it possible to run a marathon in 8 weeks

Make sure you wear them during your training, so you know if they are the right fit for you. Running a half marathon is all about discipline. Training for a marathon is also about control so that should be the most important word that you keep in your head throughout the entire process.

You want to follow a smooth and steady approach with your training and make sure you never divert from the course you're on. Stay focused and keep your base mileage, speed, long runs , and recovery in mind at all times. One crucial factor of discipline is consistency. Make sure if you set your mind to an eight week half marathon training plan you stick with it from beginning to end. How many people have you seen start a training plan and work themselves to the bone for three days and then give up?

That is why I suggested that you run a few 5K or 10K races if you haven't already. These runs will prepare you for the big one, which will prepare you for bigger ones after that. Long-distance running is best for people who run regularly. If we go back to the consistency point, while you don't want to work yourself too hard in the beginning, you have to build up your mileage over time. Doing this will allow your body to adjust to the changes naturally.

Water is essential to staying injury-free and healthy during your training. These three issues will kill your half marathon dreams and leave you feeling hopeless. The best marathon and long-distance runners have a plan for how much water they want to drink based on how far they plan on running. You want to keep yourself plenty hydrated leading up to each training, and you want to hydrate consistently throughout the run. Going hand in hand with water is your overall eating and drinking habits.

If you plan on training consistently during these eight weeks, a night out could completely kill your chances of running the next day, which may spiral out of control. Therefore, look at your schedule and calendar for the next two months and make sure that this is a realistic goal that you can devote your time too.

If you have children will you have the support and child care to do long runs? Does it mesh with your spouse's schedule and not create too many upsets?

Is your mother having major surgery during the next 2 months? I like to encourage runners to sign up for their race before they begin training or in the first few weeks of their training. It's not some goal that is "up in the air" but it is something that is on the calendar and is going to happen! By "anatomy" I am talking about how this training plan is designed so that you can meet your goals. During your first week of training you will be running a total of 13 miles.

During the last week of training Week 8 you will max out your weekly mileage at 20 miles. Your weekly mileage will fluctuate as you find the balance between increasing your endurance and building rest into your schedule. This makes it the perfect plan for beginner half marathoners! If it's a little cold where you are, then I would not suggest doing your long run in shorts and a singlet until the weather warms up!

Make sure you are wearing the right trainers for race day. If you are buying new running shoes, make sure you buy them with enough time to wear them for a few short runs to break them in, then wear them for your last 2 or 3 big long runs, and then use them for a few shorter runs before race day.

Do NOT buy brand new shoes for race day! Lighter shoes are great, if you are efficient enough to make the most of them. Often more cushioning is more suitable. A good marathon runner is mentally tough. Mental toughness is something you'll have to develop over time, and training is the perfect environment to do this.

See each session as an opportunity to build some mental toughness. Break your run down into smaller chunks to make it more manageable. Don't think of the run as a whole, but a lot of smaller pieces.

Stay positive, and talk to yourself to do this. If you are negative, this will slow you down. Have a goal, and have a back up goal. Studies have shown we are able to push ourselves harder than we think if we are looking to hit a certain goal. Use that as motivation to keep you going. Focus on other things, not yourself. If you focus on you and how much discomfort you are in, it becomes a lot harder to run. Start to think about other things.

Count to If you don't believe what you are doing is possible, then you'll never do it. You always need to believe.. Try out some of these mental coping strategies any others and start to write them down after each session. Find other runners to bounce ideas off, talk to a coach if you have one and see your mental development as just as important as your running training.

What does not matter over the next few weeks. The distance of your week long run. Everyone is different and don't get wrapped up in someone else's training. The pace of your long run. Make sure you stick to the program and keep consistent. He also recommends new runners to do one to two speed-work sessions per week and to add two long-distance runs per week into their routine.

Henwood suggests warming up with dynamic stretches, such as leg swings, which are ideal for a run with a light jog. After each workout do your static stretching.