Running a marathon – The realbuzz.com Beginner’s Guide
With 120,000 runners recently finding out whether they have successfully got a ballot place in the 2010 Virgin London Marathon, a buzz of activity is surrounding next year’s iconic race.
The results of the ballot have been announced and those lucky enough to have secured their ‘own place’ will be jumping for joy. And those unlucky in the official ballot this year, will be scouring through the hundreds of charities offering ‘Gold Bond’ places, and running for a cause close to their heart. Once a place is assured – everything is focused on training and finding a suitable training plan, to ensure that the 26.2 miles is achievable, regardless of experience, age, and speed.
So, if you’re one of those lucky people planning to run on 25th April 2010, here are few tips to help you get started, and help you to answer the question that’s no doubt hovering around in your head…
Can I really train for a marathon?
- If you haven’t exercised in a while, get a check up from the doctor to ensure you’re fit enough to do the training, as well as the final race.
- Evaluate your fitness levels; you need to know where you are before you can progress, so sit down, and honestly assess your fitness levels.
- Select a training plan. Trying to prepare for a marathon without a training plan is like trying to find a new town, without map. To successfully set off on this journey towards marathon success, you need to follow a structured training plan that is right for your fitness levels.
- Get the right gear. Quite simply to start with you need basic shorts and t-shirt (and for the ladies a fitted sports bra). But as you progress with the training you will undoubtedly want to get clothing that won’t chafe, and will suit the season you’re training in. However, you should really invest in a pair of trainers that suit your running style. There are many running shops which can assess your ‘gait’ and give advice on the correct shoes.
- What should you eat, and drink whilst training? Correct nutrition andhydration are vital to ensure that your body is capable of doing the longer runs. Paying close attention to your diet is essential. To get you thinking as a runner, you need to be consuming plenty of ‘slow-release’ carbohydrate to provide energy, so a meal of pasta would be ideal. Don’t neglect your fluid intake, because your requirements will increase both for storing fuel in your muscles and because you will lose more through sweating.
- How much training do I need to do? Up to a point, the more training youdo the better. However it is vital that you allow for rest and recovery too. Your training plan should comprise a careful blend of long runs, recovery sessions, and faster-paced training as you build up your marathon specific endurance. For more information on training plans visit: http://www.realbuzz.com/shop/category/pdfs/
- How long will the race take me? That all depends on you, your fitnesslevels, your injuries, and your speed. It can take runners from anything from 2 1/2 to 7 1/2 hours to finish the race. Remember that most races nowadays have timing chips, so you can ensure you measure your timing successfully.
So can I really do it? The answer to that question is YES! After all, over 600,000 finishers have completed the London Marathon. Progressing from non-runner to marathon finisher is always a real success story, and one that is genuinely achievable by following a correctly structured training plan that will help you towards your marathon goal. Preparing for, and completing a marathon is a great accomplishment and a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience. And, as well as achieving your goal, there is the great spin-off benefit too: improved health and fitness. So, if you are thinking of taking the plunge, then do it – realbuzz.com guarantee that it will be the experience of a lifetime.
Source: realbuzz.com
Following the Success of Team GB in Beijing, one in ten 16-24 Year Olds Have Taken up a new Sport
A recent survey conducted by the MARS Refuel Drink Fund has revealed that one in ten 16-24 year olds on the UK have taken up a new sport, following the success of Team GB in Beijing. That’s an amazing 800,000 people!
The survey showed that the average sporting individual spends GBP32.52 a month on their sport, around 10% of their disposable income. This includes kit, travel, equipment, membership fees, league registrations fees and subs for training.
However with clubs and individuals feeling the effects of the current economic climate, the cost of participating in sport is potentially becoming a barrier to participate.
After its phenomenal launch in 2008, the MARS Refuel Drink Fund will be returning for three months from April 06 2009 to help sports clubs and individuals following their sporting dreams.
As a consequence, last year the MARS Refuel Drink Fund attracted 5,309 applications and helped to refuel 4,254 people. So if your football team is desperate for a new strip, or your basketball club needs new hoops, the MARS Refuel Drink Fund could help.
The fund, which launches on April 6 2009 until June 30 2009, has GBP10,000 to donate each month to the most deserving applicants. To celebrate its return, MARS Refuel will be offering a star prize of GBP5,000 for one lucky applicant in April only, with a maximum of GBP500 per applicant each month after.
Applications can be made online at http://www.marsrefuel.com offering support with anything from equipment costs, to improving training grounds and club houses.
You don’t just have to be part of a team to benefit. The fund will also give support to individuals raising money for charity through sporting activities, such as bike rides, mountain climbing and parachute jumps.
The site will be regularly updated with the names of the people and clubs awarded each month. They will also be invited to post comments, pictures and videos of themselves as part of their application.
The fund is open to residents of, and clubs and organisations based in the UK and Republic of Ireland only. Applicants must be 12 years or over and only one application will be accepted per person, club or organisation.
* The research for the MARS Refuel Drink Fund was carried out online by Opinion Matters/Tickbox.net between 17.03.09 and 25.03.09 amongst a nationally representative sample of 1009 UK Adults/partners/friends/relatives who take part in sport regularly.
Source: MARS Consumer Drinks