Great list Ben. Two things I’d recommend: 1) if possible - do a run on the back half of your marathon course. I did 3 practice runs of the last 14 miles of the LA Marathon course ( I live in the area) - and that REALLY helped me on race day. I remember telling myself that i was just doing a 12 mile warmup to get “home.” I literally felt like mile 12-26 was my comfort zone because I knew every foot of the way. And 2) I did my 18/20 mile long runs ~close to marathon effort. And that gave me the belief that I could do 26. Good luck everyone.
Currently following your 18 week level 3 intermediate plan ready for my first marathon in Newport at the end of April! So far so good (touch wood!) and this video was incredibly useful as well!
Any branded nutrition supplied by the race is best ignored, in my opinion. In all the marathons I've run (single figures), they handed out a measly two gels during the race. That's not enough to fuel a marathon, so the benefit is limited to carrying two fewer gels. In return for that, you have to buy that brand's gels to test in training, plus the rest of the gels you'll need to get through the race and also deal with crowds at the nutrition station. Most likely they're not the gels you prefer most either. Shockingly, the deal is stacked in favour of the gel company 😯. Unless your race is supplying enough nutrition to run unencumbered, just find the gels (or other food) you like and carry those extra two. Don't humour any company offering a stingy deal.
I am 38, did my first marathon last October, finished at 3:19. But I got injured from training and running too much. Now I mix cycling, basketball, swimming and running, 9-10 hours per week. It's enough for me. No more training for marathons.
Great tips! Training for my second marathon and got hit by car right before the taper. Had to push my goal race a month to recover, but just believing that the body of work in my training will outweigh two weeks of missed running near the end of the block.
Love the list! I'm on your L3 marathon plan at the moment and getting ready for marathon #3 in April at the Big Sur Marathon in California. Thanks for everything you and Sarah do.
I’m doing my first road marathon (it’s London Marathon) and I’m aiming for sub 5. I’d love to be quicker. But at 54 I’m being realistic. I’ve never trained for anything!! I’ve just winged it!! I’m olnow on the ben parks free 4.30 miles plus marathon training plan and it’s great. If you’ve not already got a plan, have a look. It’s strongly recommended. Thanks so far ben, and keep up the content 🎉
I made most of these mistakes😂. My first race was a marathon at 55 with minimal training and no warm-up. I also had no experience with the gels I brought along and didn't even know what a cramp was until they started at 24km😂. I have plans to correct all of this in 2024.
Great video Ben. Literally what I needed to hear right now. Got a niggle and trying to slowly build back into my training plan. Thanks for the brilliant advice.
Recently purchased your marathon plan-will be my first! On the slower end (hopefully under 5). Would like your input on only having 3 run days a week? Thank you!
I’m on my taper weeks for my next Ultra. I’ve been following along with one of Bens training plans, it’s has gone well so far hopefully pays off on Race day 😅
Regarding gels: I did my first marathon last year and doing my next one in May. I tried a few types but then decided to go with the same brand/type that I knew was provided during the marathon, that way I knew that my body would react positively to that type and knew exactly how to open and consume it.
Great informative video 😊 I'm in the 6th week of my first ever Marathon training plan so any tips or advice is helpful. Amazing you've run so many Marathons. Keep it up Ben (and Sarah)!! 💪
I'm currently preparing for my first marathon... I've done 2 x half marathons 1 x 10km 1 x 8km and 30 x park runs. My January distance was 341km next week I'll taper b4 the marathon.
I’m coming off a marathon training block of 12 weeks in lead up to my comrades marathon qualifier in 2 weeks. Let’s go ! How’s your cm training going Ben ?
Hey Ben, thank you for your amazing content. Due to you and your marathon training plan I crushed my first one in 3h49min💪. What do you think about lactate testing in training with it? Have you tried it and what is your opinion about that? I see more and more professionals who train with lactate
So kinda dumb question but on the 31st of March I'm running my third half marathon (the first one 2:24, the second one 2:10) I'm using Garmin Coach with 1:50 as target time and the confidence is all the way up. On the 25th of may I'm planning to take part in a race and I'm wondering if I should try my first marathon... Any suggestions?
Just a comment regarding your top 10 useful items video and Sarah’s problem with the Shokz headphones. She’s bought the larger size which hangs below the pony tail and causes no issues. A silly thing but thought it might help.
I would love to hear advice for someone that just can't get out of an injury rut...nagging plantar in my left foot and constant achilles/calf issues. So frustrating and massively depressing.
Id suggest a kneesovertoesguy Kind of approach. The Idea is to utilize full range of Motion and load the tendons/Joints as much as possible without feeling any pain. Work with what you got, even If it feels Like nothing. You can improve it day after day. Stretch to full range of Motion and load. Keep on it, be Patient, be consistent. Your body will adapt and get stronger. Dont do anything that makes it worse, tune into your Limits gradually.
Very timely video Ben. I’m following your half marathon plan and just back from a visit to the physio! Trying my best to adapt to niggles and not stress too much about missed days.
Some great tips for my first marathon in London. Really enjoyed the gels one too, as I've tried the SIS ones, but want to give the High 5's a try next to see if they're any better. Bit worried about then splashing everywhere as on your test they were far more liquid-like than the SIS ones, but like you said, try them waaaayyyy before race day!
I like the SIS. They're really easy to take because they're quite liquid but that makes the packets big. High 5 are a bit thicker so the packets are more compact so they're easier to carry. I still find them easy to take though. Good luck for London. I did it last year and it was a blast!
Thanks very much, I'll keep that in mind about the High 5 gels, but thankfully I think I'm between those and the SIS ones. Making my way through the variety pack at the moment, but Pink Grapefruit can get in the bin... YUK!!! Haha
You forgot to include that 1 thing you wished you had kept from your younger days… those sick glasses 😅
He would have had to have run fast, with all those ladies chasing him. Makes sense.
They added SPEED 😂
Great list Ben. Two things I’d recommend: 1) if possible - do a run on the back half of your marathon course. I did 3 practice runs of the last 14 miles of the LA Marathon course ( I live in the area) - and that REALLY helped me on race day. I remember telling myself that i was just doing a 12 mile warmup to get “home.” I literally felt like mile 12-26 was my comfort zone because I knew every foot of the way. And 2) I did my 18/20 mile long runs ~close to marathon effort. And that gave me the belief that I could do 26. Good luck everyone.
That's an awesome idea
Oh that’s a great idea!
Young Ben Parkes-what a character!!! Straight in at the deep end with the biggest 26.2 mile race! KUDOS to that confident young man indeed
Currently following your 18 week level 3 intermediate plan ready for my first marathon in Newport at the end of April! So far so good (touch wood!) and this video was incredibly useful as well!
Any branded nutrition supplied by the race is best ignored, in my opinion. In all the marathons I've run (single figures), they handed out a measly two gels during the race. That's not enough to fuel a marathon, so the benefit is limited to carrying two fewer gels. In return for that, you have to buy that brand's gels to test in training, plus the rest of the gels you'll need to get through the race and also deal with crowds at the nutrition station. Most likely they're not the gels you prefer most either. Shockingly, the deal is stacked in favour of the gel company 😯. Unless your race is supplying enough nutrition to run unencumbered, just find the gels (or other food) you like and carry those extra two. Don't humour any company offering a stingy deal.
I am 38, did my first marathon last October, finished at 3:19. But I got injured from training and running too much. Now I mix cycling, basketball, swimming and running, 9-10 hours per week. It's enough for me. No more training for marathons.
Great tips! Training for my second marathon and got hit by car right before the taper. Had to push my goal race a month to recover, but just believing that the body of work in my training will outweigh two weeks of missed running near the end of the block.
Love the list! I'm on your L3 marathon plan at the moment and getting ready for marathon #3 in April at the Big Sur Marathon in California. Thanks for everything you and Sarah do.
I’m doing my first road marathon (it’s London Marathon) and I’m aiming for sub 5. I’d love to be quicker. But at 54 I’m being realistic. I’ve never trained for anything!! I’ve just winged it!! I’m olnow on the ben parks free 4.30 miles plus marathon training plan and it’s great. If you’ve not already got a plan, have a look. It’s strongly recommended. Thanks so far ben, and keep up the content 🎉
Love the content Ben! Running my first marathon in Rotterdam in April. Your videos are really helpful and motivational.
Really appreciate your work on the channel, it's great motivation. I'll be doing London in April!
I made most of these mistakes😂. My first race was a marathon at 55 with minimal training and no warm-up. I also had no experience with the gels I brought along and didn't even know what a cramp was until they started at 24km😂. I have plans to correct all of this in 2024.
Great video Ben. Literally what I needed to hear right now. Got a niggle and trying to slowly build back into my training plan. Thanks for the brilliant advice.
I’m training for my first marathon!! The Akron marathon in September!!
Trying now because I gotta get fast end so I don’t time out!! Super stoked!
Recently purchased your marathon plan-will be my first! On the slower end (hopefully under 5). Would like your input on only having 3 run days a week? Thank you!
Really helpful. Thanks Ben 😊
2:32 - To piggyback off this, start your training plan a week or two ahead of schedule.
I’m on my taper weeks for my next Ultra. I’ve been following along with one of Bens training plans, it’s has gone well so far hopefully pays off on Race day 😅
Regarding gels: I did my first marathon last year and doing my next one in May. I tried a few types but then decided to go with the same brand/type that I knew was provided during the marathon, that way I knew that my body would react positively to that type and knew exactly how to open and consume it.
Really enjoying the Ben Parkes marathon plan I bought. Great structure, enjoyable and thoroughly recommended. 👍
Don't worry about that time. Enjoy your first one and go for better times after that. You only do your first marathon once
Great informative video 😊 I'm in the 6th week of my first ever Marathon training plan so any tips or advice is helpful. Amazing you've run so many Marathons. Keep it up Ben (and Sarah)!! 💪
I'm currently preparing for my first marathon... I've done 2 x half marathons 1 x 10km 1 x 8km and 30 x park runs. My January distance was 341km next week I'll taper b4 the marathon.
Brilliant video! thank you 🤩
I went to an all you can eat buffet restaurant the day before my first marathon as I thought protein loading was a thing, it didn't end well 😂
Looking forward to the London
Building my miles now each week bit by bit
Got races booked including Brett Lydd 20
Good luck everyone
You ever Try saucony triumph its very comfortable shoes it's my favorite daily Traning
shoes.
And of all of these the greatest is rest days. Followed by warm ups and cool downs.
I’m coming off a marathon training block of 12 weeks in lead up to my comrades marathon qualifier in 2 weeks. Let’s go ! How’s your cm training going Ben ?
Hey Ben, thank you for your amazing content. Due to you and your marathon training plan I crushed my first one in 3h49min💪. What do you think about lactate testing in training with it? Have you tried it and what is your opinion about that? I see more and more professionals who train with lactate
Thank you for the valuable info. What would you recommend for runners who experience piriformis syndrome 2 hours into the run?
So kinda dumb question but on the 31st of March I'm running my third half marathon (the first one 2:24, the second one 2:10) I'm using Garmin Coach with 1:50 as target time and the confidence is all the way up. On the 25th of may I'm planning to take part in a race and I'm wondering if I should try my first marathon... Any suggestions?
my next marathon is the Edinburgh marathon looking for sub 3:30
warm up / cool down are difficult in cold winter seasons, also rainning days.
do you have tips on how these can be done?
When it rains I do them at home, before I get out the door.
How often should I fuel when doing a 1.5-hour long run at my Zone 2 pace? Thank you.
Another great video! Slightly off topic but what watch strap do you use on your Garmin? I’m looking to replace the buckle style original, thanks.
Barcelona Marathon, in March? Saw Sarah around last year.
Have you ever run Basingstoke half marathon??
first marathon -- pittsburgh in may ooh she's got some climbs
Good one
Just a comment regarding your top 10 useful items video and Sarah’s problem with the Shokz headphones. She’s bought the larger size which hangs below the pony tail and causes no issues. A silly thing but thought it might help.
…… my wife’s bought the larger size…..
how fast was your first marathon?
I would love to hear advice for someone that just can't get out of an injury rut...nagging plantar in my left foot and constant achilles/calf issues. So frustrating and massively depressing.
Id suggest a kneesovertoesguy Kind of approach. The Idea is to utilize full range of Motion and load the tendons/Joints as much as possible without feeling any pain. Work with what you got, even If it feels Like nothing. You can improve it day after day.
Stretch to full range of Motion and load. Keep on it, be Patient, be consistent. Your body will adapt and get stronger.
Dont do anything that makes it worse, tune into your Limits gradually.
What was your marathon time on your first ??
There is now wall..... @Ben Parkes when you run 33.06 miles you'll find it easy
First marathon will be Paris. I'll only be 79 behind you... Watch out 😂
Young Ben somehow still looks even younger than current Ben with his backwards cap 😂
Very timely video Ben. I’m following your half marathon plan and just back from a visit to the physio! Trying my best to adapt to niggles and not stress too much about missed days.
Some great tips for my first marathon in London. Really enjoyed the gels one too, as I've tried the SIS ones, but want to give the High 5's a try next to see if they're any better. Bit worried about then splashing everywhere as on your test they were far more liquid-like than the SIS ones, but like you said, try them waaaayyyy before race day!
I like the SIS. They're really easy to take because they're quite liquid but that makes the packets big. High 5 are a bit thicker so the packets are more compact so they're easier to carry. I still find them easy to take though. Good luck for London. I did it last year and it was a blast!
Thanks very much, I'll keep that in mind about the High 5 gels, but thankfully I think I'm between those and the SIS ones. Making my way through the variety pack at the moment, but Pink Grapefruit can get in the bin... YUK!!! Haha
Your name is Ben Parkes 2:25 marathon? Is that how you introduce yourself in real life?
I would consider your style that day the biggest mistake 😅
Helloerrrrrrbudddyyyy