There comes a point in every marathon when you start to wonder… “Why did I do this?” For me, the thought occurred around mile 18. My legs were leaden, my hip creaked like an old wheelie bin, and the consequences of a diet of orange-flavoured energy gels, water and Spotify show tunes were being felt by my gastrointestinal system. And let me tell you, the image of finance bros applying Vaseline to their chafed nipples with lollipop sticks is one that will stay with me till my dying day.
But the moment you cross that finish line, all this is forgotten. It’s as though your mind is lifted into a state of endorphin-induced amnesia, and the hellscape of the last four hours is replaced by sweet relief, euphoria and a particular runner’s smugness, the symptoms of which usually wear off within eight to 10 working days. It’s a natural high that would be worth a fortune were it available in pill form.
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As we enter the dark, depressing, month of January, many of us will be taking the opportunity to shake up our lacklustre exercise routines – and perhaps even considering signing up for a race. And while the “new year, new me” mantra has become a bit of an eye roll, it’s also undeniable that this is the time of year that we really needs those endorphins. It might take a special sort of motivation (madness?) to drag on your running gear when the temperature is below freezing, but in my experience, there’s nothing else like it for blowing away the cobwebs or lifting a bad mood.
If you do decide that 2026 will be the year you run your first marathon, you may find yourself struck down by “maranoia” (a term used by runners to describe the anxiety and paranoia that sets in during the weeks and months leading up to a marathon). For me, it began the second I signed up and lasted right through to the day itself. The fear of everything that could go wrong – missing the bus, forgetting my headphones, tripping over in the first 100 metres – played on a loop in my mind, like the worst Final Destination film ever.
While it’s not possible to control every single variable, there are ways to make your training – and the event itself – that little bit more bearable. Even, dare I say, enjoyable. “The biggest misconception people have around training for your first marathon is that it does not require huge mileage week in and week out,” explains Steph Davis, a coach at Runna and Team GB’s fastest female marathon runner at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. “Find your personal mileage sweet spot – the number of miles that your body can tolerate and that works with your life. Define these parameters and combine strength work and proper recovery to ensure you reach the start line healthy, strong, and prepared to run your best race,” she says.
“Also, make sure you allow plenty of time to prepare. To train for a marathon safely you need to progress your training each week at a sensible rate. If you start your preparation too late then you risk running too far too soon and picking up an injury that could derail your race. Depending on your running experience, you should allow yourself 12 to 20 weeks to train for a marathon.”
With the right training, nutrition and kit, signing up for a maranthon might just be the best decision you make all year. Step one? Finding a good pair of trainers. “The number one biggest mistake people make when buying trainers is getting the right size,” says Jack Wadsworth, a technical representative from New Balance. “Running shoes have different requirements to our typical day to day lifestyle shoes – the impact our shoes take while running is a lot higher. Increasing the distance from the toes to the end of the shoe is needed so your feet aren’t taking the impact, this is where bruised toenails and feet originate from. The standard size from lifestyle to running shoes is typically at least half a size bigger.”
If you’re in need of further running inspiration, scroll down to find out what team Vogue’s very own marathoners wished they’d known (and shopped) before their very first marathon. See you at the start line.
Ellie Davis, senior beauty shopping writer
Animal wool wasn’t really something I gave much thought to before I started training for the New York Marathon, but all of that quickly changed. It’s like cotton wool – only unlikely to disintegrate – forming a lightweight layer over your precious toenails to prevent friction when racking up the miles. I did my first marathon without it, and found I had just 18 toenails remaining post-race (apologies for the graphic image). After marathon two, with this saviour in tow, all 20 were still in place at the finish line.
Finding a sports bra for bigger busts that is supportive enough to see you through high-intensity exercise is not an easy task. I learned the hard way that any seams would simply chafe, especially on those sweaty longer runs. Finding a suitable option was my top priority, and a journey that brought me to Runderwear and Panache. You know you’re onto a winner when you shop by actual bra size, rather than the standardised L or XL.
Podcasts were my long-run essentials. I found it tedious to run to music when I was pounding the pavements for two or three hours at a time. The hack I discovered was to look for a long-running series with lots of episodes that I really enjoyed and would only let myself listen to during extended training sessions. It meant that – at times – I actually looked forward to running.
The Runna app makes putting together a training plan the easiest thing in the world. You detail your race, your goal time, and how many runs you would like to do a week – and it sorts the rest. It really held me accountable and tailored the runs for the race in question. For example, the New York Marathon is known for being hilly, so it would give me a hill-based run. This is not an ad. It’s just a great app.
Ekta Khanchandani, associate manager of global analytics
I ran my first marathon with a friend/the leader of the run club I pace for, and we crossed the line holding hands, making the experience so much more enjoyable with zero pressure. We also matched in Lululemon’s Swiftly Tech Short-Sleeve Shirt – aka my favourite running top.
Carbs will slowly become your best friend and worst enemy: carb-loading before long runs is so important, but scoffing down a bagel at 6am will never get easier.
Marathons are hard, and having a training plan to guide you through the journey helps in so many ways (especially staying injury-free!).
Joy Montgomery, shopping editor
I can be a bit of a Goldilocks when it comes to shoes, and as someone who struggles with tendonitis in my foot, this becomes even more pronounced when I’m buying running trainers. Too tight or too hot, too abrasive or too bouncy – they really have to be “just right”. I recommend visiting a dedicated running shop, where you can get a free gait analysis to ensure you’re getting that perfect fit – don’t forget to mention the type of terrain you’ll be running on, plus whether it’s a hilly or flat route. Top tip: make sure you bring along a pair of socks in the same thickness as the ones you’ll wear on the day.
Try not to obsess over your time on your first marathon. This is hypocritical of me, as before I ran the New York Marathon I was a type A woman possessed – obsessively checking and double-checking my splits and considering every way in which I could achieve my goal time. In the end I missed my goal by seven minutes, and honestly? No one cared. I could have saved a lot of stress in the lead up, plus you want to be able to properly soak up the atmosphere on the day, not be glued to your Garmin. Just running a marathon, in whatever time, is such an achievement.
It’s a piece of advice you’ll hear time and time again: stick to the same dinner and breakfast you always have before a long run (make sure to experiment in the run up), and on the day itself, don’t mess with your fuelling plan. I made the rogue decision to increase my gel intake ever so slightly on the morning of the race and it came back to haunt me at mile 18. Energy gel cramps are no joke.
Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference, and for me it was a cap. I don’t love wearing sunglasses on long runs, so my Lululemon Fast And Free running cap was ideal for keeping the sun off, but, equally, when the great British weather threw a rain shower my way, it also kept me dry(ish).
Milly Tritton, associate director, integrated planning
Ensure you’ve trained in your race day kit and trainers, but it’s equally important to have the right underwear, sports bra and accessories for a marathon. Comfort and support is key and can make a big difference in your performance and enjoyment on race day.
Communicate with your friends and family ahead of time and agree where they are going to be, so you know when to look out for them. You can then avoid missing anyone: it really helps push you along when you know a sweaty hug, a sign and people screaming your name is just round the corner.
Training for a marathon is a big commitment, and while it’s important to be disciplined about training and getting the mileage in, you also need to take the time to relax and recover properly in the build-up to race day. Quality sleep, focusing on your nutrition and hydration and stretching will help prepare you for race day, and hopefully avoid injury in the months, weeks and days leading up to it.
Ellie Davies, senior manager, audience development
Of course the year I chose to run a marathon turned out to be London’s hottest on record. Having trained through the Beast From the East and an endlessly wet English winter, I’d only ever run in leggings. But when race day rolled around and the temperatures started to rise I was contemplating switching to shorts. I am so glad I didn’t as I saw plenty of kit disasters and wardrobe malfunctions along the route. Stick with what you know works for you.
There’s nothing like seeing a familiar face when you’re hitting that “why am I doing this?” wall. My mum’s best friend happened to be looking out for me around the final 5k stretch (when I was starting to lose the will to live), and I’m not convinced I’d have made it to the end if she hadn’t been there. If you can, plan to have supporters spaced out, particularly towards the bitter end.
Simple but game changing. Nothing will boost you more when you need it than random spectators screaming your name and cheering you on.
Recommendations are great, but until you actually start running in your kit you never really know if it’s the one. I’ve found that nothing compares to Sweaty Betty’s leggings – their Power 7/8s are my ride-or-die: comfortable, flattering, fast-drying and most importantly, they do not budge. Trainers-wise, I’ve gone through countless pairs, but right now my favourites are Hoka’s Arahi 7s, which are lightweight, stable and unbelievably bouncy. Finally, my winter training go-to is a Dri-Fit 1/4 zip from Nike. Breathable and quick-drying, it’s a staple in my gym wardrobe – and the thumb-holes are a plus.
