The psychology behind long runs is really important for marathon training. It affects how ready you feel mentally and how well you perform.
Running longer distances helps you gain confidence. For example, studies show that runners who finish at least one long run of 20 miles or more before their marathon have a 70% better chance of doing well in the race compared to those who skip it.
Here are some key benefits of long runs:
Building Endurance: When you pace yourself during long runs, your body learns to use fat for energy. This can improve your endurance by 10-15%.
Gaining Mental Strength: Runners often find that they become 25% more mentally tough when they stick to regular long-distance training.
Simulating Race Conditions: Doing long runs at your goal pace can help you plan your race better. About 78% of runners say they improve their pacing during the actual race after training this way.
The Tapering Effect:
Helping Your Body Recover: Taking a break, or tapering, leads to about a 3% boost in performance because your muscles get a chance to recover.
Feeling Mentally Fresh: Reducing how much you train during the taper phase can lower anxiety by as much as 50%. This makes sure you feel rested and ready on race day.
The psychology behind long runs is really important for marathon training. It affects how ready you feel mentally and how well you perform.
Running longer distances helps you gain confidence. For example, studies show that runners who finish at least one long run of 20 miles or more before their marathon have a 70% better chance of doing well in the race compared to those who skip it.
Here are some key benefits of long runs:
Building Endurance: When you pace yourself during long runs, your body learns to use fat for energy. This can improve your endurance by 10-15%.
Gaining Mental Strength: Runners often find that they become 25% more mentally tough when they stick to regular long-distance training.
Simulating Race Conditions: Doing long runs at your goal pace can help you plan your race better. About 78% of runners say they improve their pacing during the actual race after training this way.
The Tapering Effect:
Helping Your Body Recover: Taking a break, or tapering, leads to about a 3% boost in performance because your muscles get a chance to recover.
Feeling Mentally Fresh: Reducing how much you train during the taper phase can lower anxiety by as much as 50%. This makes sure you feel rested and ready on race day.