Monthly Archives: July 2022

Marathons are the ultimate test of human endurance. Full-length races span 26.2 miles with average finishing times ranging between 4 to 5 hours. 

These long-distance races can be incredibly taxing on both your physical and mental health, therefore it’s essential that you take the race seriously and start preparing for the big day months in advance.  

Crossing the finish line on the day of your marathon should be one of the most rewarding moments of your life. 

However, if you refuse to train for the event, it could also become one of your most unpleasant experiences. 

Of course, most marathon runners complete their race free from harm, but this is still a possibility you must account for. Let’s take a closer look at the dangers of running a marathon without training. 

Running a marathon without training is not a trend

Depending on your internet habits, you might have seen the recent surge in marathon training tips, and marathon running journeys, taking off on apps such as Instagram and TikTok. If so, you may have also seen a handful of influencers claiming to have run marathons without any training. You might be thinking, “that’s crazy!”, and you’d be right, it is crazy, and it’s not something that any athlete, running-enthusiast, or fitness coach would ever recommend doing.

As an influencer, it’s arguably quite dangerous and irresponsible to promote running a marathon without training to an audience who might be impressionable and less physically fit/experienced than you.

It’s great that more people are becoming interested in marathons, whether it’s to achieve fitness goals, reap the mental health benefits of perseverance, or even just to brag about it to their mates at the pub. However, big achievements like marathons shouldn’t be treated as a quick-win. Like any sport, running a marathon requires self-discipline and adequate fitness, which is an important part of the overall experience, and can only be achieved through the right training.

Here are the top reasons

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be an avid runner to complete a marathon. 

Many individuals who participate in the race choose to walk instead of run. However, do the same rules apply when it comes to training? Can you walk a marathon without preparing for it? 

The short answer is no. Although it may be possible, it is by no means advisable.  

Whether you walk or run, marathons cover an extremely long distance and it’s imperative that you take safety precautions to avoid the risk of injury. 

The goal of finishing a marathon isn’t completing the race in record timing but ensuring you do so without hurting yourself in the process. 

Bear in mind that when you decide to walk a marathon, it’s likely that you may take anywhere from six to nine hours, which exceeds the amount that is advised per day. 

It goes without saying that’s an awful lot of time to be on your feet, which means more possibilities for minor injuries, such as dehydration, blisters, or muscle strains. Therefore, walking a marathon without training is neither practical nor recommendable. 

Here are six of our top tips for training to walk a marathon.  

1. Create a dynamic training schedule 

Rather than jumping on the treadmill every day, it’s a good idea to incorporate a wide range of walking styles into your training plan. 

Whilst training to walk a marathon, you should aim for four to five days active days per week on average. Don’t focus solely on long-distance walking, try to incorporate other forms of training that can help you reach your endurance goals. 

Activities like CrossFit or yoga are very complimentary to a marathon training plan. 

2. Build your mileage slowly 

One of the most important tips to consider whilst training to walk a marathon is to build up your mileage steadily. 

As you’re competing at a slower pace, you may be tempted to cut training times short and bump up your mileage up too quickly. The strategy behind any great marathon training plan is to build