Recently a few of my clients have signed up to do half marathons and marathons and we’ve been discussing ways to initially get them going with training. 
For many people the mere thought of subjecting their mind, soul and body to an endurance run is enough to make them feel exhausted – and to be frank, who can blame them? For most of us, a full time career and 24 hour family commitments make the sofa and TV remote look far more appealing than getting out to train for such an event. Running a full marathon or half marathon is an experience that you will never forget and will be something that you can talk about for years to come. The whole experience will instil numerous emotions that will make you laugh and cry, but one thing is for sure, you will never regret doing it.
Unfortunately you can’t turn up at the start line without having put some miles in those legs. In the months leading up to the event you’ll need to adapt your body to endure the demands of running a distance you may never have imagined possible. You will have the joy of running in beautiful sunshine, heavy rain and maybe even snow, but the training can be hugely enjoyable and give you a real sense of achievement.
During the months of training ahead, you will experience a roller coaster of emotions. From your first ‘high’, to the fatigued legs after your first endurance run, there are times when you will reflect on what you are doing and feel a huge sense of self pride, and other times when you’re exhausted and desperately want to quit. It is at times like this when you will need the support of the people closest to you. Forums on the Internet provide a means of support and consolation with fellow runners, and can be an excellent way to offload your thoughts and worries to others who are invariably feeling the same way. Family and friends are fantastic for moral support, but communicating with other runner who are experiencing what you are going through can make you feel so much better.
Having decided to take on this exciting endurance challenge, the first and most important thing you need to do is to ensure that you have a good quality pair of trainers. A decent pair of trainers should be comfortable, mould to your feet well and above all be the right type of shoe for your running gait. Your running gait put simply, is the way in which you run. Incorrect shoes for your gait can lead to a number of injuries so it is important to go for a trainer that will support your foot well. Most sports shops now offer gait analysis before buying your trainers and I would highly recommend that you take advantage of this service.
Hopefully this provides you with a few helpful tips to get you started with your half marathon or marathon training.
Happy running!
