Are you ready for your next start line?

Fall marathon season is here!

It’s been a long time coming, and I’m so looking forward to watching on as the starting gun, bell, horn or cannon sends runners off on their 26.2-mile journey in all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors this year.

Be sure to tune in to the races—and help cheer this amazing community of runners on to the finish line.

For those of you who are racing the BMW-BERLIN Marathon at the end of this month, you should be putting the finishing touches to your marathon prep and heading into the taper phase.

Congratulations! You made it through the summer months, beat the heat and are heading into the first AbbottWMM race of the season. And be inspired by all your fellow runners from across the globe who will be following in your footsteps this fall.

I did manage to run periodically throughout the summer, but to be honest, I’m personally coming into this new training cycle a bit behind from where I’d like to be. And as I start to gear up for the November Global Marathon, my plan is to, well, follow the plan.

Marathon training should be pretty simple, really: Run a lot of miles and don’t get hurt. But I know that’s unfortunately a lot easier said than done.

So here are some easy steps you (and I!) can take to help make it happen:

• Start your training with a new, good-fitting pair of running shoes.
• Have a solid, well thought-out training plan—one that’s geared toward your goal race pace.
• Be sure to consume fluids that contain both calories and electrolytes every 15 to 25 minutes during any training sessions longer than an hour.
• Eat a diet rich in a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.
• Make sleep and rest a priority. Aim to get eight to nine hours per night, if possible.

For those of you who live in parts of the world that are very hot and/or humid during the fall, listen to your body and stay hydrated.

Giving yourself short breaks to consume fluids during your long runs—and other intense workouts—allows your core temperature to come down ever so slightly and your body to absorb essential calories and electrolytes. Be smart and slow down.

No matter where you're running, or what you're training for… may the wind forever be at your back.

Coach Kastor

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