When you're training for a marathon, long runs are the most important part of your plan. These runs help you prepare for the tough 26.2 miles you'll face on race day. But why are they so valuable?
Long runs help improve your endurance, which is how well your body can use oxygen when you exercise. By running longer distances at a comfortable speed, you teach your body to use oxygen more effectively. This means you can keep going longer during the race.
For example, if you increase your long run from 10 miles to 20 miles, your body learns to handle it better. It gets better at using fat for energy, saving its energy reserves, and delaying tiredness.
Training isn’t just about your body; it’s also about your mind. Long runs help you build mental strength. Spending hours running allows you to feel tired and uncomfortable in a safe way. You’ll learn how to push through tough times, which helps you stay focused during the race.
Think of long runs like practice runs. They help you get ready for race day, like figuring out how to stay hydrated, what pace to run, and understanding the "wall" that many runners hit.
Doing long runs helps you plan for race day. You’ll learn what food works best for you, how your body reacts to different speeds, and what gear is comfortable for long distance runs.
Even though long runs are really important, you don’t want to do them all the time. This is where tapering comes in. Tapering means cutting back on your training in the weeks before the marathon. This gives your body a chance to rest and recover after all the long runs, so you feel ready and strong when race day arrives.
In short, long runs are a key part of preparing for a marathon. They build your endurance, toughen your mind, help you plan for the race, and set you up for a good rest before the big day. So, put on your running shoes and get ready to hit the road—your marathon journey is just beginning!
When you're training for a marathon, long runs are the most important part of your plan. These runs help you prepare for the tough 26.2 miles you'll face on race day. But why are they so valuable?
Long runs help improve your endurance, which is how well your body can use oxygen when you exercise. By running longer distances at a comfortable speed, you teach your body to use oxygen more effectively. This means you can keep going longer during the race.
For example, if you increase your long run from 10 miles to 20 miles, your body learns to handle it better. It gets better at using fat for energy, saving its energy reserves, and delaying tiredness.
Training isn’t just about your body; it’s also about your mind. Long runs help you build mental strength. Spending hours running allows you to feel tired and uncomfortable in a safe way. You’ll learn how to push through tough times, which helps you stay focused during the race.
Think of long runs like practice runs. They help you get ready for race day, like figuring out how to stay hydrated, what pace to run, and understanding the "wall" that many runners hit.
Doing long runs helps you plan for race day. You’ll learn what food works best for you, how your body reacts to different speeds, and what gear is comfortable for long distance runs.
Even though long runs are really important, you don’t want to do them all the time. This is where tapering comes in. Tapering means cutting back on your training in the weeks before the marathon. This gives your body a chance to rest and recover after all the long runs, so you feel ready and strong when race day arrives.
In short, long runs are a key part of preparing for a marathon. They build your endurance, toughen your mind, help you plan for the race, and set you up for a good rest before the big day. So, put on your running shoes and get ready to hit the road—your marathon journey is just beginning!