If you're planning to run a marathon, you're likely wondering how to train. Marathon training can be difficult, especially if you haven't trained for this distance before.  It takes time, dedication, and persistence to get yourself into shape for the race that will require everything you have.

However, if you take your time and follow these tips then it's possible for anyone—even beginners—to train for the race of a lifetime! Here are some tips for training your body and mind:

Be aware of your limits 

When you're training for a marathon, you must know your limits. Start by asking yourself: "What do I want to accomplish with this training?" If it's just to finish the race, then that's great! But if you want to set a personal best, then you need to be aware of how far you can go in terms of mileage and speed.

It's easy to get carried away with running when you first start training—you'll be excited about getting out there and pounding the pavement, but remember that it's better to underdo it than overdo it. The more tired and worn out you are when you're out on a run, the more likely it is that something could go wrong and prevent you from reaching your goals.

Start with a base

There are many ways to prepare for a marathon, but they all share one thing in common: you’re going to need to build your base. Your base is the foundation of your training and will give you the endurance and strength needed to run.

A good place to start is with at least three months of easy running—longer if possible. At first, it’s best not to aim for speed or distance; rather, focus on consistency and listen closely to what your body needs each day. Once this becomes second nature, start adding some longer runs into the mix at an easy pace until you reach about 30 minutes of total run time per day for five days a week.

Take rest days

One of the most important things to remember when training for a marathon is to rest. Rest days are crucial because they allow your body to recover and make gains in fitness, both physically and mentally.

When you're exercising at high levels of intensity, your muscles get tired; this is known as muscle fatigue. Your central nervous system—the brain and spinal cord—can also become fatigued from exertion so you sometimes feel like slouching on the couch after working out all day.

It’s important to give your body time for recovery so it can rebuild itself stronger than before.

Train your mind

When you first start training for a marathon, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of training that needs to happen. But your mind is like any other part of your body—it needs to be trained for endurance and strength.!

It's important to take care of yourself mentally when training for a marathon. When we have big goals at work or home, we often focus solely on those goals and neglect our own needs. Don't forget about yourself during this time—make sure you're eating well and getting enough sleep so that you can perform at your best when it matters most!

Fuel like an athlete

You can't run a marathon on an empty stomach, but you don't have to eat like a bird either. It's important to fuel your body by eating the right foods at regular intervals throughout the day.

• Eat breakfast. Skipping breakfast is one of the worst things you can do for your body—especially if you're planning on running several miles later that day! Eating breakfast helps wake up your metabolism and gives you energy for the long haul ahead of you. Plan on packing some whole grains with fiber (oatmeal), lean protein (eggs), or healthy fats (almonds) so that it will keep hunger at bay until lunchtime runs around again.
• Eat small snacks every two hours. After that first meal of the day; find out what works best for keeping up your endurance without weighing yourself down too much with heavy foods like pizza or ice cream sandwiches.
• Avoid sugary drinks such as soda pop. They'll give you an immediate burst of energy followed by an inevitable crash right afterward! Instead, opt for water or milk whenever possible in order to stay hydrated while maintaining steady blood sugar levels throughout each training session.

Increase your training volume slowly

Your best bet is to increase your training volume slowly. Gradually increasing your weekly mileage by no more than 10 percent per week will help prevent injury and allow your body to adapt appropriately. It's important not to do too much at once, especially if you're just starting out. A rule of thumb is not to increase by more than 10 percent if you're a beginner or 15 percent if you've been running for some time.

Improve your marathon pace regularly

To be a successful marathoner, you must improve your race pace regularly. Here are some ways to do that:

• Speed work: You can run faster than race pace for short distances (200-400 meters or 8-15 minutes) with a jog recovery. For example, if your goal is to finish the marathon in 3 hours and 30 minutes, then speed up just enough so that it takes you about 3:30 to run 400m (1/4 mile) repeats at race pace.
• Tempo runs: These are similar to speed work but they last longer—around 15-20 minutes each time. They're tough because they run at 90% of your maximum heart rate, so it's important not to push too hard when doing these workouts.
• Long runs: These should gradually get longer over time (for example, one week you might do a 20-mile long run followed by an 18-mile long run). Gradually increasing the distance helps strengthen muscles and build endurance for longer races like marathons.

You should also include shorter races into your training schedule every few months; each session will help improve specific aspects of performance such as foot strike patterning or body position during different points within the race itself.

Conclusion

When training, it is important not to undertrain or overtrain, skip a workout and avoid excuses by following the training schedule below. Make sure to take care of yourself and get adequate rest so that you feel ready for each run. If you are sick, skip a run or two and recover before returning to your training routine. Avoid changing up your routine too much as this can lead to injury or burnout, which will not help in preparing for the marathon!