Eat Nutrient-Rich Foods Fuel your body with healthy nutrient-rich foods because the lack of quality food fuel will wreck your motivation to run in the morning. Follow this golden rule: always eat something before you train and immediately afterward. Oatmeal mixed with whey protein is good, but figure out what works best for you. Eggs, recovery drinks, casein protein are more examples of nutrient-packed foods. Everyone reacts differently. Test certain food pairings to determine how your body reacts. Make an effort to plan—if not all—at least most of your meals during training.
Invest in Quality Footwear Footwear for marathon training requires special shoes that must withstand high mileage. The wrong pair of running shoes can discourage your motivation. Before buying a new pair, ask about the store's return policy. New runners may prefer a highly cushioned shoe; experienced runners typically like something lighter weight. Whatever you select, remember, when you have happy toes and soles, your running motivation increases while training.
Change Your Music Playlist The same tunes can drag down your marathon motivation, so switch up your playlist. Then again, an inspiring song that you hear every day might be one of which you want to keep listening. Review your playlist, then swap and replace some tunes if the music gets too stale for you. Journal Your Progress Acknowledge your goals on a daily basis and track your training progress to keep your running motivation up. Write down the efforts you’ve made. Look upon them when you start to wane to remind yourself that you’re reaching mini-goals every single day that you train. Think of the rewards when you complete the marathon. You’ve come too far to quit now and you are in control of your own advancement.
Train for Pacing on a Treadmill Use a treadmill on low-air quality days such as pollution filled, dangerously windy or pollen warning days. It’s true that a treadmill isn’t the same as experiencing the outdoor elements, but it can help you fine-tune your pacing for the marathon. When the forecast calls for bad weather, it can zap your motivation to train. Stay indoors for a day or up to a week and use a treadmill to stay motivated.
A Word about Salt Between 2,000 – 2,300 milligrams of sodium is the recommendation for fit adults. For athletes, any additional salt intake is based on your needs. Runners and other athletes sweat out sodium and fluids. You'll need just the right amount to not negatively affect your performance and health. Before training, seek expert advice from a health care professional considering the suggested amount of sodium you should have personally. Be safe and make sure your blood pressure remains within the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines of less than 120/80 mm Hg.
Staying motivated while training for a marathon takes discipline and willpower. Use the above tips for motivation to run in the morning and throughout your training sessions. When you follow them, you might breeze through your training and complete the marathon smiling all the way to the finish line.
