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Coaching Tips: Making the Most of Your Long Runs

  • Writer: Taylor Sayles
    Taylor Sayles
  • Apr 14
  • 2 min read


Long runs are a great opportunity to practice for your race and work out the kinks in your training before you line up at the start line.


Some things you can practice on during those longer miles:


  • Fueling: Try new things and train your stomach early on to help fine tune your race day strategy. If you're at the beginning of your training, use it as the trial and error period. Try a variety of gels, with different ingredients, different amount of carbs and caffeine, and figure out the best options. You can dial in as you get closer, figuring out the timing. Don't forget to practice pre- and post-run meals, which are an essential part of the race day strategy!


  • Outfit: Nothing new on race day includes your race kit. It may be fun to buy a new outfit for a race, but make sure you're practiced running in it for long distances first! You don't want to get a few miles in to your marathon and find out those cute new shorts are chafing your legs. And don't forget to include race belts or hydration vests (and check to make sure you know what your race does and doesn't allow)


  • Mentality: What is your race strategy going to be? Start to figure out where you start to hit the wall, and where the miles get really tough. You can also practice what gets you through those tough miles through to the end of your run. What type of music or podcast will you listen to? What helps motivate you?


Why the Hard Runs Matter

The harder long runs, the ones you "fail," the ones that feel the worst, oftentimes matter much more than the ones that go perfectly fine. You're going to fail a run (or two, or three). You'll have hard days, and for your first marathon, it can be very hard to put it in perspective.


The runs that go well are "checking the box." But the runs that don't go your way teach you how to get through the uncertainty of the marathon. Bad long runs teach you how to push through the discomfort and continue to move forward.


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