Ft. Lauderdale Marathon: Marathon Questions Answered

Whether the A1A Marathon is your first Ft. Lauderdale Marathon, or, even if you have done it before, it is always good to research best practices when training for a marathon. Here are a few common questions before running a marathon.

Q: Should I eat before I run? A: When starting a run, you should not feel starving nor stuffed. Eating immediately before running may lead to cramping or side stitches, and running on an empty stomach may cause you to run out of energy. Eating a snack or light meal an hour to two before you start running is ideal.

Q: What should I eat before a marathon? A: Two days before a marathon should be high-carb days. You should be sure to increase the percentage of carbs in your diet, but not the overall calories. Pasta, steamed or boiled rice, potatoes, fruits, starchy vegetables, and breads are good sources of carbs. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. For breakfast before a marathon, stick with carbs and some protein. Make sure you do not over-hydrate the morning of your race. You should drink 10-24 oz of fluid one hour before the race and keep emptying your bladder. Drink another 4 to 8 oz of fluid about ten minutes before you start running, so that you are hydrated when you begin.

Q: How do I avoid hitting a wall while running a marathon? A: By progressively doing longer runs each week, your body’s capacity to store more glycogen within the muscles increases. This will help you maintain your pace and hopefully push off the onset of fatigue. The long runs also teach the body to tap into and utilize energy reserves from fat storage sites after the glycogen stores have been depleted. Also, be sure to run at least one 20-miler, train at your Ft. Lauderdale marathon goal pace, and consume some calories during your marathon.

The A1A Marathon, a premier Ft. Lauderdale marathon, takes place in a scenic setting. If you want to run this beautiful course,register here!