The GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon

One of the biggest athletic events in Victoria; the annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon happens every October.

The marathon weekend features four different races: the Marathon, the Half Marathon, 8K Road Race, and the Thrifty Foods Kids Run. The race weekend also includes a Victoria Marathon Race Expo. The Expo is free and open to the public to view over 40 exhibitors featuring sponsors, souvenirs, merchandise, running apparel and accessories, nutritional and fitness products, samples, interactive displays.

Anyone who participates in an event like this, knows that the biggest task is the training and preparation that goes into the marathon months before. Marathon training is a big commitment, incorporating training that is mental, physical and emotionally demanding.

Below are a few must tips to achieve the goal of running a marathon:

1. Find a training plan that suits your needs, including the amount of time you are willing to spend

2. Train by how your body responds to the training and not a predetermined pace of training

3. Make sure that you cross-train and include activities such as biking, swimming or strength training.

4. Strength training and foam rolling are an important part of the process. Strength training is a key component of distance running in order to ensure good running form, and avoid injury, while foam rolling will allow you to give yourself a deep tissue massage after each training session which will help in your recovery time.

5. Remember to stretch before every run, but make sure that you use stretches with controlled movement to improve range of motion, increase heart rate and loosen up stiff muscles

6. Sleep is important to help your body and muscles repair and keep you healthy. On longer runs help your legs recover during sleep by wearing a compression sleeve or sock

7. Respect the rest days. REST don’t train

8. Mimic the course by finding locations to run that have the same topography as the marathon

9. Run a dress rehearsal. Four or five days before the marathon, complete a four or eight kilometer marathon-paced run in your marathon gear and runners.

10. Believe in yourself!