It’s one of the few things that Americans have accomplished, but one of the few things all Americans wish to. Today’s your chance to join that small percentage of “have done it”. It’s your day to train to walk a marathon. 26.2 miles may seem like a daunting task to an average person, but you’re not an average person. If you have the mental focus and passion to complete a marathon then you’re already ahead of the game. Most people get sidetracked thinking about the final distance that they don’t realize the fun, excitement, and joy a marathon can bring. Not only does it improve your overall health, stamina, and even posture but you can also support local and national charities. What better way to improve yourself and the world at the same time?

Before you even lace up your shoes, get yourself to a doctor for a physical. It’s best to know what potential danger zones you will need to look out for. Tell your doctor you’d like to start training to walk a marathon so he or she can perform necessary exams and test to ensure that your heart is up to the challenge.

After you’ve received the okay for your physician, now it’s time to lace up your shoes, hit the streets, and let your training begin.

Take a deep breath and tackle each mile of the 26.2 marathon one step at a time. The best way to get in shape is to cross train. Mix up your workouts with a little bit of everything and before you know you'll be ready to line up for that race. Here are some great workouts that will help keep your endurance up, your stamina strong, and your body flexible:

• Swimming
• Biking
• Hiking
• Rock Climbing
• Yoga
• Pilates
• Strength Training

Believe it or not, the clothes you put on your back and the shoes on your feet can make or break your event. If you’re not properly fitted in the right walking shoes and fitness gear, you can end up with an injury. Go to your closet and pull out the insoles of a pair of shoes you wear often. Take that insole with you to your local running and walking specialty store. In doing so, the staff at the store will be able to assist you in picking out the right shoes to accommodate your needs. Do you put a lot of pressure on your heel or toe? Do you tend to walk by rolling your foot outside then in towards? All of these things can be determined by wear and tear of your insole.

The same importance lies in the clothes that you choose. If you tend to sweat while performing exercise, it’s best to choose clothes that wick away sweat from your body thus maintaining your core body temperature. Clothes that perform a specific function, such as keeping sweat from your body, are called technical clothing. Describe any common traits that you normally see to a staff member, such as sweating, quickly dehydrating, or feeling friction so you can make the most of your gear.

A well known fact about marathon training is that you never complete a marathon distance prior to the actual event. You’ll always want to maintain good distances but never 26.2 miles. The reason for this is because you don’t want to risk tiring out your body before the race. If you do, you can end up with a damaging sports injury that takes you out of the event altogether. Keep your training simple. Don’t try to do too much too soon nor too little. The key is balance. Balance walking programs with cross-training exercises, including swimming, lifting weights, and biking. By training your body using various forms of exercise, you’ll keep yourself flexible while building endurance and stamina.http://www.marathonwalking.com/

Set up a calendar every Sunday to plan your workout schedule. Listen to your body and try to change your workout schedules weekly depending on how you’ve improved the week prior. Your first week should include three days of walking (at least 45 minutes each time), one strength training circuit (should focus on calves and hamstrings), and finally one swimming or Yoga exercise (to keep your muscles loose). Swimming is a great exercise to help you maintain both stamina and endurance. It builds your lung capacity and feel great on your joints and bones.

Food is as essential to your training program as your walking program. Load up on veggies, fruits, and good carbohydrates. On nights before your bigger walks or exercises, be sure to load up on spaghetti with low sugar sauce and wheat pasta. Additionally, ensure that you’re continually staying hydrated.http://www.marathonwalking.com/training_tips.html Take a water bottle with you to work, school, or even to run errands. If you’re one of those people who forget to drink, although you carry it with you, then place a sticky note somewhere that you’ll consistently see it. For instance, place the note on your computer, notebook or dashboard.

With the right gear, training program, and diet there’s nothing that can stop you from walking a marathon. The last thing you’ll need to remember to do is to keep your muscles flexible. Take up a workout that’s dedicated to stretching your muscles, such as Pilates or Yoga. Keeping your muscles loose is key to ensuring that you stay at the top of your game and injury free even after you cross the finish line. It’s almost too easy these days to overexert your muscles during training so don’t get lazy and hit the showers before you hit the mats for a good, 15-to-20 minute stretch.

With the right tools and tricks, you’re just steps away from finishing your first marathon.