Many of us have the wish not just to exercise more but to unlock our true sporting potential. We want to explore whether we have talent, ability and the potential to take our chosen sport to a higher level than ever before. If you have reached a stage where you are passionate about your chosen sport and want to unlock the wealth of your true potential, consider some of the suggestions below.

Nutrition

The food we eat has a direct relationship with our energy levels and ability to recover after exercise. To fully unlock our sporting potential, we must ensure that we are fuelling our body correctly with the right nutrients and hydration. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, a meat eater or anything in between, there is a sensible and effective way to live on any diet. Seek out reputable sources of information both online and in print, and try to implement the advice you are given. Do not hesitate to seek the guidance of a professional too, such as a doctor, dietician or nutritionist, for specific advice on your needs.

Qualified Coaching

All of the most successful athletes have received regular qualified sports coaching to help them achieve their true potential. Sports coaches are not merely a way of staying motivated: they can have a huge impact on our habits, technique and overall sporting development. Sports coaching can identify and nurture talent, help us to prevent or correct bad habits in form or technique and provide objective advice on how to improve. Sports coaches can be one of the most valuable assets in taking your talent to the next level.

Injury Prevention

However talented or experienced we are, all our sporting prowess will come to nothing if we are frequently injured. Injury can strike even the most skilled professionals, but it is still important to do what we can to prevent it. An effective warm-up and cool-down routine can help us to stay supple. Taking our rest and recovery seriously can also minimise injury damage and ensure we return to our sport faster. We should regularly check our form and technique too to ensure we are not causing unnecessary strain.

Goal Setting

One of the greatest challenges in sport for both amateurs and professionals is staying motivated. Whether we progress alone or under the guidance of a sports coach, setting goals can be an excellent way to stay on track. They provide a framework for our progress, keep us focused and also give us a sense of accomplishment when we complete them. We can then use this momentum to progress and improve even further, reaching new heights of success.

We have set out this guide so that you can set the time you feel comfortable with on your first marathon, without any trouble along the way.

Know your target time

It is always nice to have a dream, but to run a marathon in 02:03:23 if you’re a man – Wilson Kipsang’s world record time – and 02:15:25 if you’re a woman – the time Paula Radcliffe set in London in 2003 – are both very unrealistic targets.

Take a few moments to work out the fastest time you think you’ll be able to complete a marathon without causing yourself stress or physical harm. You should consider how much you exercise currently and whether you’re accustomed to running for miles or just for sprints when determining your target.

Start your training early

You are setting yourself up for a fall if you think you can just train a few weeks before running your first marathon.

The training sessions should begin a few months prior to the big day and see you running for gradually increasing distances up to five days a week.

Don’t feel that you need to jog for 20 miles straight on your first day of training either. Instead, start with something like a ten-mile run and then increase the distance by around ten per cent every week. That way, your body should begin to easily adjust to the rigorous exercise.

Remember to rest

While plenty of training is important when preparing for your first marathon, resting is just as vital. This is because your muscles will need time to recover from all the stress that you are putting on them by running for miles at a time.

Plan out your fitness regime and make sure you mark at least two days of rest per week. On these days, you should avoid doing any workouts – this includes everything from sit-ups and press-ups, to competing in another sport.

Your body will feel all the better for it.

Buy adequate clothing

Do you find that your current jogging shirt and shorts chafe against your body after you have been running for a few miles? Just imagine having to carry that pain for the best part of 20 miles; that target time you set yourself earlier will quickly fly out of the window.

Shop for specialist marathon clothing to keep yourself as comfortable as possible as you rack up the miles, such as the huge range at ActivInstinct. Their triathlon shortsare particularly appealing, as they are constructed using state-of-the-art material technology that help you to maintain peak performance from the start line all the way through to the finish.

Remember to pack some warm clothing too. This will prevent your muscles from becoming cold and stiff before the marathon and ensure you fly off the start line with the best possible chance of achieving your targets.

Thanks for reading and good luck!

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