Strategizing Your First Marathon

This is an article I wrote recently for Competitor Magazine, for my monthly training column. If you get Competitor Magazine in your area, then pick it up and check out my column. This is not the only column for January from me, so you'll have to pick it up to see what the other column is about. Enjoy!

26.2 miles is a daunting task. 26.2 miles of running hard is even more daunting. Visions of a possible meltdown in the last 10K can fill a runner's mind, as the race always seems to come down to those final, critical miles. It doesn't matter if you're doing it after 112 miles on a bike, or if you're toeing the line fresh and tapered.

If this is your first marathon, then the enormity of the training, not just the race, can seem daunting as well. It seems as though there are a million little things to learn and be conscious of. With this in mind, it's important to focus on the most critical factors which will lead to a successful performance at the marathon. If you want to do well at the distance, focus on these key points and you're certain to maximize all the hard work you've invested.

You can read more at Competitor Magazine.

Coach Vance