Start Training for Marathons Already in January!
Do you want to run a half-marathon this year or even a full marathon? Run Czech has already announced the dates for spring and autumn races. You should set a training plan and follow it for 3-4 months before the race. Make sure to follow your plan precisely but do not overestimate your strength either!
Planning to run a half-marathon? Train at least 3x a week!
It would be a huge mistake to think that you can run a half-marathon (or full marathon for that matter) with only a minimum preparation. Ideally, you should run regularly for at least a year before trying your luck with a half-marathon. However, if you’d like to conquer it even without a year-long running experience, go ahead! But in that case your preparation must start now.
If you want to “only” run a marathon, 2-3 training runs a week should suffice. However, you can’t go wrong with training more. When running 3x times a week, one run should focus on stamina, one on speed and the last one on regeneration.
Spread out your runs throughout the week. For example, run on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and/or Sunday. Try to increase the number of kilometers every week. And a day off doesn’t mean you get to lie on a couch all day! Go for a walk, swim or do some yoga.
Other crucial rules are: do not smoke, avoid alcohol, and eat healthy and nutritious food.
How do you know when you are ready?
Generally speaking, you should be able to run for 90-100 minutes. Of course, the more the better. If this is no problem, then go ahead and enroll in a race. Below is a list of marathons and half-marathons in 2018. We wish all brave runners a lot of stamina and luck!
Marathons and half-marathons in 2018:
Sportisimo 1/2Maraton Prague: 7 April
Junior marathon: 9 April – 6 May
Volkswagen Marathon Weekend: 5 – 6 May
Mattoni 1/2Marathon Karlovy Vary: 19 May
Mattoni 1/2Marathon České Budějovice: 2 June
O2 Prague Relay: 13 – 14 June
Mattoni 1/2Marathon Olomouc: 23 June
Birell Grand Prix Prague: 9 September
Mattoni 1/2Marathon Ústí nad Labem: 15 September
