#5 Getting ready for the race
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In the two-three weeks leading up to the marathon, you should scale back on overall mileage and difficulty of runs; helping your body to stay injury free and well rested for the race. You should also try to find release valves in the form of communicating with your friends/family more often than usual in order to help you keep your mind off it. It can help in avoiding unnecessary race-related stress.
Keeping yourself motivated and inspired by looking at a set of mantras that gets you going, having your favourite playlist at hand, attributing each mile you run to people close to you are some tricks to help you get over the line. Having faith in your preparation and throwing any time-related goals out of the window will make for a smooth race.
It is important to remember the reason why you started until the end. Any excuses should be checked before they can creep in and create psychological barriers to training. Having a clear strategy for the race wherein you pace yourself from start to finish while including walking intervals as breathers for every mile is recommended.
It is paramount that you keep the journey enjoyable as you will only have one first time experience which will either get you hooked on or make you look away from marathon running.
Prior to the race, adequately hydrate yourself and eat a high carbohydrate content meal. Finally, review the course once again and check that all systems are a go.
