The 5 Biggest Marathoning Mistakes
- By Sabrina Grotewold
- Published Apr. 13, 2012
1. Overtraining & Undertraining
It will do you no good to show up exhausted on the starting line.
It’s true that to achieve a personal record at any distance requires executing new strategies—from increased mileage to marathon-specific workouts to even a different, but well rehearsed, fueling plan—but showing up at a marathon start line without an adequate-for-your-body taper, sore and taxed legs, an injury, or ill-stocked glycogen stores will almost guarantee a bonk.
More from Competitor.com–Overtraining: Why It Happens, How To Spot It And How To Dig Yourself Out
And while toeing the start line a little undertrained may end up working out for some more experienced distance runners, too few completed long runs will make the last 10K of the race much more painful than it needs to be. In short: Respect the distance.
FILED UNDER: Training TAGS: Long Runs / Marathon Training / Overtraining / Pacing
Sabrina Grotewold
Sabrina Grotewold is runner and editor based in southern California. Christened the Kitchen MacGyver by her husband, she’s determined to persuade people to eat their veggies.