There’s a lot to think about when deciding on your first long distance race—it’s one of the best decisions you can make.

Really! Don’t worry, we’re here to help!

In this article we’ll go over some of the most important considerations to consider when choosing a marathon. If you want to run a marathon, you must first learn how to run a marathon. Agree?

In this article, we’ll talk about important questions that should be asked before running a first race. We’re going to share some tips and tricks that we’ve picked up over the years.

We’ve all heard the saying “Marathon, not a sprint” and while it may be a cliche, there is truth to this phrase. It takes weeks, months, and sometimes years to train for a race. This is especially true if you’re not familiar with the rules of racing, like how to calculate your pace, what food to eat, or how to manage a variety of conditions. Before you even start training for a race, you need to know what your goals are so that you can choose the right training program for your needs. Whether you’re trying to set a new personal record or simply to improve your marathon time, there are many ways to prepare for the race ahead.

We’ll look at why some people run marathons, while others run marathons without getting tired, why some people choose to run the Ironman triathlon, while others are content with running shorter races, and how to get over the hump when you want to be able to run a marathon, no matter the distance.

So, you’re thinking about running your first marathon… Let’s start… There is no way to know whether you have the mental toughness to finish the marathon until you actually try. 

What are the Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Marathon?

You need to be sure that you know exactly what you want and what you can before you sign up. Most of the runners I see these days, are looking to just get a medal. Many times, they have no idea what the next marathon is, and have no idea how far away it is. Runners often find themselves struggling with indecision. Some races are better suited for beginners, while others are ideal for advanced runners. The most important factor to consider when choosing a marathon is to choose the right race for you. There are lots of different types of marathons, and each one has a unique set of benefits and drawbacks. It pays to know which is best for you before you get started. The most common mistake new runners make is choosing a marathon that is too fast, too hard, too long, etc.

The first step to getting started is to identify what you are willing to put in. If you don’t want to put any effort into it, you will be wasting your time. The most important thing to think about when starting a new training plan is to think about your current fitness level. Are you physically capable of the distance? The process of running a marathon is both mentally and physically challenging. You have to train for long hours, pushing yourself harder than ever before. You will need to run longer distances than you’ve ever run before. I don’t mean to give you a hard time. I know it seems like a lot of work to train for a race, but trust me, it’s so worth it when you finish.

As you prepare for your first marathon, make sure to remember to keep an eye on your nutrition. Here are some nutrition tips to get you started.

When should you start? I recommend that you start planning your next race at least a year in advance and ideally two years in advance. This gives you plenty of time to train, learn more about yourself as a runner, and figure out which races you really want to run.

One of the most common mistakes I see runners make is not knowing whether or not they are ready to start a particular race. There are two things that must be in place before you can actually take that plunge and choose a marathon. You must know if you will be able to make it. You have to have done some training. If you choose a race too soon, it might not be right for you. When running, there are many variables to take into account—such as training, nutrition, and experience—and no single “best” race to choose from.

Motivation: How to Keep Going. How to Keep Going When You Want to Stop. How to get motivated to run your first marathon.

We all know that the key to a successful long-distance race is motivation. That’s why I wanted to share with you the following motivational techniques I used in order to get myself motivated to train for my first marathon. I’m going to share with you a list of 10 powerful motivational quotes that will help you to start your journey and train for the first marathon:

  1. You’re the only one who can decide what your body is worth.
  2. “It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.” – Brian Tracy
  3. “You are never too old to change,” said Winston Churchill
  4. “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.”
  5. “If you want to get somewhere, don’t expect to arrive there if you are not willing to pay the price to get there.” – Jim Rohn
  6. “A winner never quits. A loser never wins.”
  7. “You have to do your own homework”
  8. “People often overestimate what they can do in a short period of time and underestimate what they can do over a long period of time.“
  9. “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.“
  10. “There’s no better time to start than now“

Are you ready to take on a long-term challenge? A few years ago, I ran my first marathon. As a result of that first race, I ran my first half-marathon and completed the Boston Marathon last year. Since then, I’ve been hooked on running marathons and want to help you get into the sport as well. In this blog post, I’m going to share the secrets to getting motivated to run your first marathon.

What would it take to run a marathon? The answer is a lot of training, hard work and motivation. A lot of people would love to run a marathon, but very few of them actually get around to doing it. There are a few key factors to running a successful marathon, like setting a goal, getting motivated, and staying motivated. A popular training regimen for beginners is to run one full marathon in a year. The benefits of running one marathon a year are many, but the most important is that it helps you to achieve your personal best in running speed and distance. To get started, all you need is an open mind, a willingness to commit, and the right attitude. 

Marathon runners are notoriously tough, and you might think that getting to the starting line is all the motivation you need to complete the 26.2 miles. You’d be wrong. Running a marathon is one of the most psychologically challenging things you can do. It requires a lot of mental strength and endurance, especially during the first couple miles. Once you reach mile 20 or so, though, you’ll find that the challenge becomes easier, and the thrill of finishing is an unforgettable feeling.

Running is an awesome sport. And it’s one of the most affordable, accessible, and enjoyable sports to start up. There are so many things to love about running, but there’s just one problem: if you do nothing but run and nothing else, you might get bored. It can become boring if you don’t mix it up with other activities.

You’ll be a happier runner when you combine running with other things.

HOW TO GET MOTIVATED TO RUN YOUR FIRST MARATHON

In your 20s and 30s, you may have been inspired to run marathons as a way of motivating yourself, boosting self-esteem, and giving back to the world. But once you get into your 40s, running a marathon can feel more like a chore than a challenge. Fortunately, a lot of your mental motivation will return, says Blythe, because the physical benefits of exercise will start to outweigh the mental ones. You’ll be able to focus on what’s really important—your family, career, and friends. If your goal is to complete a marathon in under 3 hours, you’ll need to train much harder than if you’re planning to race in 5 hours.


As a marathon runner myself, I have been inspired by all of the great stories I have read about people overcoming adversity to cross the finish line. When I first started running marathons, I was not a very fast runner. I had never run a marathon before and I was not even in good shape. I was overweight, out of shape, and I was not happy with how I looked or felt.


The number one reason why people fail to accomplish their marathon goals is because they lack the willpower necessary to stick to the long-term commitment. They say “I will run the marathon” and then “but I don’t have the time” or “I don’t have the money” or “It’s too far away” or “I’m not in shape enough”. In reality, the truth is that they don’t really want to run a marathon. Instead, what they’re really saying is “I don’t want to run a marathon”, and that’s where the true motivation lies. They are afraid to take the leap because they believe that they won’t enjoy the process and therefore will fail. But the truth is that if they actually want to run a marathon, they will enjoy the process. They will find the training fun and the process exhilarating.

To motivate yourself to run your first marathon, here are two things you need to do. One is to get the support of others. You can’t do it alone. There’s no way you can. The other thing is to think about the reasons why you are doing this. Are you trying to run a record? Are you trying to prove something to someone? Maybe it’s all three, and maybe none. It’s up to you to decide how much you want to put on the line and why.

There are many ways to get motivated to do something. But for marathoners, the most important thing to remember is to start early. This can mean starting a few weeks, or even months, before the race. It’s always better to have a little extra time than to have too little time. In addition to making sure that you’re adequately prepared, having a goal to strive toward is essential. You should also know your own strengths and weaknesses, and have a plan for how you will overcome these challenges.

Most people who run marathons never get to run more than a few races in a row. Why? Because the experience of running a marathon is exhausting. Your body begins to feel like a marathon. You’re tired. You’re sore. You’re hot and sweaty. So you run another race. Then you’re sore again. So you run another race. And on and on. Running marathons isn’t about going fast. It’s about going far. If you’ve never run a marathon before, it’s important to be mindful that when you start training, you’ll get a lot of mileage in a very short period of time.

1. Whether you’re running a marathon for the first time or your fifth, you’ll need to be able to stay motivated. Here’s a few ways to stay motivated, according to psychologists:

2. Use the power of a “why.” If you want to run a marathon, use the power of a “why” to make yourself want to run a marathon. For example, say to yourself: “I’m going to run a marathon because I want to live long enough to run a marathon.”

3. Set a deadline. You’re running a marathon, so it’s important to have a goal. Tell yourself when you will run a marathon and why.

4. Reward yourself. There are lots of reasons to run a marathon: to have a positive impact on your health, to help others, and to celebrate life. But if you’re only running it for the reward, you’re not going to stick with it. So, give yourself a reward for completing the marathon. It could be a gift card, a night out, or even a new pair of running shoes. 

This one is for the marathoner in you. While training for a race, you have to learn to be patient with your body and your mind. You have to have the motivation to train everyday to stay fit and healthy. A marathon runner has to think about what he or she is getting out of a marathon, not only how far they can run, but what it’s like to go through those 26.2 miles.

In conclusion, to be a successful runner, you need to be in shape. But, not just any kind of shape. You need to be in good running shape. To be in good running shape, you need to practice your running regularly. This means getting out and running a lot. Running is one of the most difficult things to stick to, so to be in good running shape, you’ll need to make a commitment to your training. Running a marathon is a big challenge. However, it is also an opportunity to show the world that you are made of steel. In this case, it’s all about overcoming your fears, being prepared, and training correctly.

Photos: Start van de Marathon Eindhoven in 2019. © FotoMeulenhof/Rene Manders