2. WHEN?
Look at your calendar for the next year. Really.
Look at a full year. You will need to set aside 18
weeks – approximately 4 months – to train.
Consider vacations, work trips, family obligations
such as children’s sports schedules, and anything
else that will fill up your calendar.
3. WHERE?
The next question to ask yourself is: Home or
Away?
Home:
Benefits: sleep in your own bed, eat your own food,
possibly even run on the race course
Away:
Benefits: excitement of discovering a new place,
possibly larger crowds and more cheering and
encouragement during the race
4. HOW? AND WHO?
Do you want to run a large race (5,000+
runners) with crowds of people cheering for you?
Consider the crowds that also will be running
with you and possible logistical challenges.
Or does a smaller race sound more desirable?
Less crowd support but you may be able to walk
up to the start line 10 minutes before the race
starts rather than taking a shuttle bus there
hours before “go” time.
5. WHY?
Are you trying to qualify for Boston?
Boston Marathon qualifying standards
Top qualifying races for the Boston Marathon
Or run with a friend?
Or run to raise money for a charity?
All of these factors will affect which race is best.
6. FIND IT!
Ask your running friends for recommendations.
Marathonguide.com provides a marathon race
calendar with runner reviews from the races so
you can get a sense for what your race experience
might be like.
Marathonguide.com Marathon Calendar
7. ONCE YOU’VE SELECTED A GOAL RACE,
CONTINUE TO THE NEXT MODULE IN THIS
LESSON TO LEARN HOW TO CREATE A 18-
WEEK TRAINING PLAN TO GET YOU TO THE
FINISH LINE.
