Key Takeaways: Training for a marathon demands preparation, nutrition, hydration and smart race-day planning — plus the right wristband hack to help keep you on track.
- Training block: Beginners typically need 16-20 weeks, running at least five times a week.
- Nutrition: Eat what you’ll enjoy, focus on recovery and don’t starve yourself.
- Hydration & electrolytes: Essential for long distance performance and avoiding fatigue.
- Race-day logistics: Plan your route, transport, breakfast and energy gels ahead of time.
- Wristband trick: Use a Tyvek wristband to write your target pace and wear it through the race — lightweight, waterproof and durable.
In 2011, Belgian runner Stefaan Engels set a world record by running 365 marathons in a year. Not everyone has this level of determination, but even running a single marathon is a huge commitment that takes a great deal of strength and willpower. Whether you’re planning to run one or ten marathons in the next year, here’s everything you need to know.
Give Yourself Time To Train
An absolute beginner needs between 16-20 weeks to train for a marathon, and you’ll be running at least 5 times a week. If it’s going to take you a while to get into the habit of running 5 times per week without making excuses, you might want to sign up for a shorter 10k race to ramp up your motivation.
Eat Food You Like
No one will stick to a nutrition plan filled with food they don’t like. Unless you’re running to lose weight, you’ll want to focus on consuming enough calories to ensure effective muscle recovery. Switch out treats filled with empty calories for nutrient-dense alternatives.
Have A Hydration Plan
This is just as important as having a nutrition plan. Making sure you stay effectively hydrated, and that you replace the electrolytes lost in sweat is one of the most important factors to consider when planning to run a marathon.
- Build consistent running habit: aim for 5 sessions per week.
- Create nutrition and hydration plans tailored to your body.
- Choose a realistic route and familiarise yourself with logistics.
- Have your pre-race breakfast and energy gel schedule.
- Use a wristband to note your target pace and monitor progress.
- Enjoy the experience — finishing a marathon is an achievement.
Make A Detailed Plan For Race Day
This includes planning your travel, making sure you know how to get to the site and giving yourself plenty of time to warm up beforehand. Ensure you’ve had a carb-heavy breakfast and try to fit in a few energy bars a few hours before you run if there’s time. Train yourself to know when you need a boost from your energy gels, and make sure you have enough for the race.
Get The Most From Your Wristband
Most marathons organisers will issue you with a Tyvek wristband when you arrive. These colourful wristbands can be used for so much more than letting you know your start group and time. Grab a marker and write your target pace times on the wristband. This will give you an easy reference so you can quickly tell if you’re on track. Tyvek wristbands are lightweight, waterproof and highly durable, so you’ll barely notice it on your wrist and certainly won’t lose it.
Have Fun!
Running a marathon is a huge achievement, so make sure you enjoy it! By the finish line, you’ll be exhausted but elated, and you’ll also have a shiny new medal for your efforts.
Stay On Pace With Custom Wristbands
Use custom wristbands to track your goals, identify your start group or simply commemorate the run. Durable and practical for every runner.
