Training for a marathon is a tough job. Even if you're a regular runner, it's a long distance that for many people is the ultimate race to take on. When you usually run races that are perhaps more like 5k or 10k distances, signing yourself up for a marathon can be pretty daunting. You need to have a good training program in place and make sure you're pushing yourself to get where you need to be. However, at the same time, you need to take care of yourself. If you're not fit and healthy, making it through a marathon is going to be difficult. Here's what you should do to look after yourself while you're training.

Don't Ignore Injuries

You know that they say "no pain, no gain" and a little bit of pain may not be much to worry about. You can expect to get blisters or aching legs during your training. However, pain isn't always something that you should push past. If you're injured, you need to address it, whether it's by resting for a few days or visiting a specialist like Texas Orthopedics for treatment. Continuing to run when you're injured could make it worse and rule you out of the race completely. Even if you're recovering, there are other ways to keep up your training.

Eat Right

Good nutrition is vital if you want to train for a marathon successfully. There's no harm in indulging in your favorite fast foods now and then, but a consistently healthy diet is important to give you the fuel that you need. Make sure you're getting enough calories and that you're fuelling your body with the right nutrients. As for hydration, it's important to stay hydrated but don't force yourself to drink when you're not thirsty. Overhydration is a risk too, so be sure to hydrate but not too much.

Avoid Overtraining

You need to be able to push yourself when you're training for a marathon but you also need to know when to stop. Resting is just as important as training hard and getting the balance right is a must if you want to avoid injury or just not having the energy to carry out. You need to take some time to rest, pamper yourself, and allow your body to recover in between training sessions. If you're feeling tired and unmotivated, it might even be a good idea to rest for a week or two.

Get Yourself the Right Gear

In the past, you might have run with a generic pair of shoes and basic workout clothes. But if you're getting ready for a marathon, it's worth it to treat yourself to something a bit more special. A good pair of shoes will protect your feet when you're training and when marathon day arrives. The right workout clothes will help you to deal with sweat, chafing, and other problems that can arise.

Take care of yourself when you're training for a marathon if you want to be prepared for the race when the big day arrives.