Preparing for your first marathon is about keeping things simple and trusting the process. Stick to the training plan you have chosen, stay consistent, and avoid the temptation to do too much too soon. As it is your first marathon, focus on finishing rather than chasing a time, take the pressure off, and enjoy the experience. Connecting with a running community or local run club can make a huge difference, especially if motivation dips. Training with others provides support,

I have trained and run throughout Ramadan, and the key is taking a sensible and flexible approach. This is not the time to force high intensity sessions or chase personal bests. Instead, dial your pace down, keep things controlled, and focus on keeping the legs ticking over so you maintain fitness during this blessed month. Consistency matters more than intensity, and listening to your body is crucial when you are fasting. Nutrition and hydration play a huge role in how you f

Pacing yourself is one of the most important skills in marathon running and one of the hardest to get right. From my experience running and pacing multiple marathons, the biggest mistake I see happens right at the start. You have trained for months, the crowd is buzzing, adrenaline is high, and suddenly you are running much faster than anything you practiced in training. It feels easy at first, but that early excitement often leads to burnout, fatigue, and a very uncomfortabl