Opinion / Buy two pairs of sneakers and eat pickles – 13 top tips to survive the New York City Marathon
From what to eat and how to train to why you should buy two pairs of running shoes, here’s everything you need to know about completing a marathon – in New York City, or anywhere, says Kate Taylor
I am not a runner.
I am very slow. I am easily distracted. I don’t even like running that much – it’s just cheaper and more convenient than other types of workouts.
But last year my friend Priya convinced me that we should run a marathon. At that point, we had successfully – albeit slowly – run a number of half-marathons together over the previous five years.
In an emotionally vulnerable state after moving apartments, ending my long-term cohabitation with Priya, I agreed to sign up for the New York City Marathon. It was a decision I immediately started second-guessing. As previously stated, I do not consider myself a runner by any stretch of the imagination.
It seemed inevitable that something terrible would happen. I had a vision of myself running 10km then – in front of crowds of cheering onlookers – simply laying down in the middle of the road, unwilling and unable continue.
Instead, running the marathon ended up being one of the best experiences of my life. I literally teared up with joy while running. As someone who has cried tears of rage while jogging a 5K, this was very far from my expected outcome.
Actually enjoying the marathon took a lot of preparation. In the months leading up to the race, I asked everyone I knew for advice on how to survive. Here are the best bits, plus a few things that I wish I had known before I signed up.
Switching between trainers while training is supposed to create a bit more variation in how you're landing on your feet. Whatever the reason – it worked
Get a training plan in place way ahead of time
