Don’t be daunted by the idea of training for a marathon – anyone can do it with enough time and commitment. In this article, we’ve got five steps to help you run a marathon even if you’ve never run a mile.

Step 1: Find a Marathon you like, and get registered!

 Before deciding on a marathon, consider the following: would you rather travel to the race location or run closer to home? Do you prefer nature trails or running on roads? Would you like scenic views of the countryside or city streets?

Answering these questions will help narrow your options. In addition, visit potential race websites and look at course maps and photos.

If the race doesn’t make you a little anxious and really excited, keep searching until you find the perfect one. You can look at Instagram and other social media platforms to read reviews of races before committing to any specific one.

Step 2: Find a Beginner Marathon Training Plan and Stick to it!

 If you’re a beginner runner training for a marathon, most training plans recommend 12 to 20 weeks. Find the balance between feeling like you need to rush to build endurance and training too much and burning out before the race.

Also, keep in mind that a marathon training plan will only work if the runner strictly follows it. If you start to miss workouts or ignore any pain your body is experiencing (like running with a sore hamstring), then the plan won’t be effective.

Step 3: Don’t neglect your long runs and speed work! 

Incorporate easy training runs, speed intervals in one or two workouts, and most importantly – one long run every week. Long-distance running is essential for success as a marathon runner even though your pace during the long run should be about 1-2 minutes slower than what you anticipate for the marathon itself. This trains both your body and mind endurance so you can manage multiple hours of running at once come race day.

Step 4: Push your limits with cross-training and strength training.

To get your body ready for the demands of marathon running, it’s important to take care of yourself when you’re not running through cross-training and strength-training exercises.

Biking, utilizing an elliptical machine, swimming, and aqua jogging are excellent cross-training options. Depending on how your body feels and what you’re capable of doing workouts-wise, you can cross-train three times a week while training for a marathon.

On days when you aren’t running at all, fit in a strength training workout routine instead. The key element to remember for endurance during a marathon lies in keeping your foundation solid – think core muscles group, hips, and glutes – so that you can make it through all the miles without feeling too fatigued.

Step 5: Discover How to Recover and Rest Intelligently

 The final step in learning how to train for a marathon if you’ve never run one before is to learn how *not* to run. In other words, understanding when your body needs rest and recovery days. This is crucial for anyone training for a marathon because, without adequate REST, your body can’t properly adjust to the changes being made through training. To recover correctly post-run, make sure you get enough sleep each night as well as stretch and foam roll regularly!