The 1 Reason Most People Suck at Marathons

I have been watching marathons for a long time.

Over the years, I have learned that most people who want to do well end up failing because of optimism. They think they can do ‘X’ time, and never realize their planning and discipline is actually what’s holding them back.

To be honest, it took me a long time to learn this lesson, too.

Here are some of the other reasons people fail to lay down fresh PBs:

• Reason #1: People fail because they don’t test their pacing in training.
• Reason #2: People fail because they wing it on race day.
• Reason #3: People fail because they can’t control their excitement.

Overcoming failure is a crucial part of succeeding, moving forward, and making actionable progress.

So let’s fix it, here and now.

Have a pacing and nutrition strategy

Race day is for execution, not trying new things.

On your long runs you should be testing your pacing, and pushing it longer and longer each week. This is also the time to be testing clothing and nutrition. How often can you eat?

Your strategy is 2 lines:

1. How fast do I go?
2. How much do I eat?

Stick to the plan

Race day should be boring.

No surprises. Just executing on what you know you can do. You’re tapered, itching to race, and surrounded by 40,000 of your closest running buddies.

Don’t blow it on the start line; stay controlled and stick to the plan.

There are only 2 outcomes here: Either your plan wasn’t good enough or you didn’t follow your plan.

At least you know what to tweak next time.

Execute on what you know.