StyleNest have teamed up with REP spokesperson Jean-Ann Marnoch, who has offered StyleNest readers marathon tips and advice on last minute preparation.
As part of your new-year’s resolutions, many of you have set yourself the ultimate fitness goal; running a marathon. The Virgin London Marathon is one of the biggest events of its kind and is just two and a half months away.
In response to this looming deadline, we were able to catch up with the Register of Exercise Professionals’ spokesperson Jean-Ann Marnoch, who has shared her own last minute race tips which participants should begin to work on now.
By now, your marathon training regime is likely to be in full throttle, increasing in length and you should be aiming to get up to race pace. Our tips offer some vital last minute pointers that should help you cope when the big day arrives. Planning is key when it comes to marathon training, so start your preparations now.
Firstly, ensure you are wearing the right attire for your run. Shoes, clothing and gadgets can all cause irritation, so try them all out on the long runs you will be undertaking in the later stages of training.
The pre-run routine can also vary drastically between different people, but it does need perfecting. For example, deciding how long before the race to eat varies; some people will eat a full breakfast two hours before, while this may cause huge cramps for others. Jean-Ann suggests small snacks in the lead up to the run to combat the cramps. Wake up early before long-runs whilst in training to practice your pre-race food and drink routine.
Many runners rely on gels and energy drinks to aid their performance on race day. Jean-Ann suggests that participants try out different types of drinks. Some people will struggle to digest, whilst others will take time to find a drink or gel that suits them and does not make them nauseous.
Dietary supplements are a particularly poignant topic of discussion in the wake of marathon runner Claire Squires’ death at last year’s London event. It is vital to check with a professional, who will be able to give advice on what supplements to take. Do not simply rely on the advice of blogs, or friends.
Finally, Jean-Ann urges runners to remain positive. You don’t want to stress yourself out with negative thoughts and doubts about trying new things on race day, so if you have made all your last-minute preparations, your race will go without a hitch.
Good luck to anyone running a marathon this year.
Click here to see our round up of the best fitness events taking place in the UK this year.