Training for a marathon… but which one?

France or an exotic destination?

The marathon calendar is thriving. You’re spoilt for choice! An exotic or local destination? A mass-participation race or something more low-key? From the iconic New York City Marathon to the scenic Prague Marathon, via the lightning-fast Berlin Marathon and the tropical Mauritius Marathon, races abroad combine a sporting challenge with the chance to discover somewhere new. In France, there are plenty of popular events to choose from, including Paris, Run in Marseille and Lake Annecy. You could also go for a festive event such as the Marathon International du Beaujolais, or choose a smaller, more intimate race.

A major event or a smaller race?

The advantage of taking part in a major event is that the crowds mean you’ll never have to run alone: there will always be runners at your level, and the atmosphere will carry you along. At smaller races, you’re more likely to find yourself running on your own, but you’ll avoid the drawbacks of the big operations (long waits in the starting corrals, a sometimes lengthy race-bib pickup process, and so on). You may not have a pacer either, which can be a valuable aid if you’re chasing a time.

If you want to experience your first race at one of the sport’s iconic, highly sought-after events, such as Boston, New York or Berlin, you can go through a specialist travel agency: these sports-travel professionals have access to a quota of race bibs and offer packages that take care of the logistics for you, from race-bib pickup and hotel bookings to travel arrangements. This option leaves you free to focus on your race.

What about the date?

Finally, you absolutely need to take the date into account. If your working year includes periods of intense pressure, if you already know when you’ll be going on holiday with your family, or if you have an unavoidable commitment that will prevent you from training properly or taking a few days off for the race, rule out marathons held during those periods straight away. To achieve your marathon goal, you need to be physically and mentally available not only on race day, but also during the weeks, or even months, beforehand.

In practical terms, take a calendar and identify the periods when you know you won’t be able to stick properly to a training plan or maintain a healthy lifestyle. Also note the times when you typically feel fatigue setting in: some people hit a low every autumn, while others absorb the strain of work at the end of the calendar year or when the school year starts. Once you’ve identified these periods, you can plan your training block and schedule your marathon.

➜ Explore the marathon calendar