Training to run your first 26.2-mile race is a major commitment of time, energy, and physical preparation. Since it requires the would-be marathoner to transcend the usual limits of casual exercise, it is essential to have someone with experience and good judgment helping to guide your training. A good trainer can help you get the most out of your marathon training without injuring yourself by training too hard.
Instructions
1. Make a rough plan for your first marathon before you try to hire a trainer. Your plan should include the location and date of the marathon race, the amount of time you intend to commit to training, and details such as travel and entrance fees. Setting your basic plan in advance will help you to present yourself to a trainer or group as a serious participant.
2. Contact the organization that is sponsoring your marathon. Tell them you are seeking to hire a marathon trainer or join a marathon training group. Ask for a list of marathon training groups and charitable organizations that are associated with the marathon.
3. Consider making your first marathon a fundraising effort sponsored by a charitable organization. Every year thousands of marathoners run to raise money for these organizations, and in return many of the charities provide a trainer, training team and other support for their sponsored runners.
4. Check out the TeaminTraining.org website sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to educate yourself about how this concept works and see what your fundraising responsibilities would be for upcoming marathons (see Resources below). Other organizations may have similar programs or websites associated with a marathon in which you hope to run.
5. Contact the running clubs and groups in your area and consider joining a club that has a marathon training group. This is another way to hire a trainer and get access to marathon training group workouts for the cost of your club membership. You can get contact information for local running clubs on the "Running Clubs" page of the CoolRunning.com website (see Resources below).
6. Get the contact information for the trainers and coaches associated with the group that seems best suited to your marathon plans. Call or meet with one or more of these trainers to get a sense of their training program, just as you would if you were planning to hire one of them as your individual trainer.
7. Supplement the training support you receive in your marathon training group by reading training materials on websites like CoolRunning.com and TeaminTraining.org and talking with other runners in your group. In the event you ever want to hire an individual marathon trainer these websites would be a good source of contacts.
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