Fresh off my last half-marathon, some useful advice if you’re planning to start racing, too!
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Your first marathon may be months away, but you need to start thinking about how to best prepare for it. There’s so much more to completing a marathon than a mere training routine. Yes, you’ll have to build up to your physical peak, but there are other factors that you need to bear in mind too. A key part of running a safe and comfortable marathon is your clothing.
Trainers
It may sound obvious, but a lot of people don’t place enough emphasis on the importance of trainers when it comes to running twenty-six miles. Investing in trainers should involve more than simply strolling into a store and picking out the prettiest pair of running shoes. When searching for the perfect soles you need to understand pronation. This sounds more daunting than it is. Pronation is the way your foot rolls inward when you walk and run. Different shaped feet have different pronation. The four main types are underpronation, neutral pronation, overpronation and severe overpronation.
Underpronation
You will have a high arch. This could leave you prone to having increased shock run through your lower limbs.
Neutral Pronation
You will have a medium arch. Runners with a medium arch rarely have any problems linked directly to pronation.
Overpronation
You will have a normal arch. Chances are you will have problems with the prolonged rotation of your leg to your foot.
Severe Overpronation
You will have a flat foot. This leaves you most likely to experience injury. Your foot function will be disrupted, and you will have poor shock attenuation.
Once you’ve worked out which category you best fit into, you can decide what kind of running shoe will best suit you. Do your research online and ask a professional in your local running shoe store. They’ll be able to help you find the perfect shoe to avoid the risk of injury. If you don’t want to invest in a specific, specialist shoe, you can try out orthotics for running shoes. These are custom foot supports which can be placed in your insole. They are often a better alternative to specially designed shoes and will also fit your foot perfectly, as they are built to fit.
Laces
Learning to lace your running shoes correctly is an invaluable skill. Laces coming undone mid-race or mid-training session pose a serious safety risk. Plus, you’ll be inconvenienced every time you have to stop and retie. The way you tie your shoes will also dictate your comfort as you run. Too tight and your shoes will pinch. Too loose and you will loose your stride, as your foot slips from side to side. There are three notable ways to lace your shoe. Lydiard lacing, gap lacing, and a loop lacing lock. Learn how to tie each here and choose which is best for you.
Style
Substance should always come above style when it comes to your racing shoes. But who’s to say you can’t have it all? So many designs are available nowadays with the increasing popularity of jogging, racing and marathon running. Choose a pair of shoes that you feel good in. A pretty pair of trainers will give you a feel-good high, which will make for a more positive and happier runner.
