A new marathon training block is a chance to make some promises to yourself – preferably ones you can still keep at mile 22. In “5 Marathon Training Resolutions Coaches Wish You’d Make,” three coaches share their advice for starting fresh and avoiding old mistakes. First, increase your carb intake gradually and practice your race-day fueling on long runs. Many sports dietitians recommend 60–90 grams per hour, but your gut may need weeks to adjust to higher intake. Second, make time for mental check-ins after runs. Reflect on what went well, what could improve, and consider practicing mantras or visualization to prepare for race-day challenges. Third, lean on your running community, whether that means joining a club, finding a long-run buddy, or working with a coach. Fourth, slow down your easy runs. Coach Kelsea Masterson suggests going one to two minutes slower than marathon pace on recovery outings, and Kelsey McGill recommends keeping roughly 80% of training at an easy effort. Finally, set realistic goals that account for everything else going on in your life. Work stress, travel, and other commitments can affect how much training and recovery you can handle. We explored a similar idea in our recent story, “Shift your mindset to reach your NYC Marathon goals,” encouraging runners to find more ways to measure success beyond their finish time. Starting conservatively, sticking to your fueling plan, encouraging fellow runners, and enjoying the experience are all worthwhile objectives. A PR is still worth chasing, but giving yourself multiple ways to succeed could make your next marathon more rewarding, regardless of what the clock says.

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