November is the month for marathons. In fact, one of the world’s most famous marathons, The ING New York City Marathon, is set to take place tomorrow. If you’re participating in this monumental event or starting training preparations for another marathon in the future, you’ll want to check out some of these great marathon running tips from Heart Rate Monitors USA. Besides being a great training aid, these tips are sure to keep you moving and motivated as you look to hit your best time. Now, take a breath, give a good stretch, and dive into these marathon running tips and hints:

Gear up for your marathon with these tips.

1. Before the marathon, get to know the course and if you can, mimic it in your workouts. This will this help you be more comfortable with the terrain, which can come in handy if you’re running in an unfamiliar environment. Can’t mimic the course entirely? Then practice running on the same topography (i.e., if you’re running in NYC, get used to flat concrete).  Use a sports watch or heart rate monitor to keep track of your progress.
2. Besides training your muscles, you’ll also need to train your stomach. Practice drinking the same liquids you plan on recharging with during the marathon runs and even pace yourself at the same rate. If you only have a few moments to recharge at an aid station, then get your body used to the grab and go beforehand. It’ll definitely help prepare you for proper hydration.
3. Get fashionable. Well, not quite, but you need to dress for the marathon properly. Avoid wearing heavy cotton clothing and instead, opt for lightweight fabrics that let your skin breathe, like Coolmax or nylon. When it comes to socks and shoes, pick what you’re wearing well before the marathon so you know whether or not your feet are at risk for blisters. Make sure you have a shoe that gives good support but is still lightweight.
4. Start changing your internal clock a week or so beforehand so that you can function at your best on the day of the marathon. Start waking up earlier and run around the same time as you would in a race. Make sure your body is used to eating, using the bathroom, and getting out the door at a time that’ll work well on race day. Trust us – it’s so much easier than trying to drag yourself out of bed the morning of.
5. Eat a smart diet leading up to the marathon, but a few days before, start concentrating on eating more carbohydrate-rich foods, such as pastas and whole grains. Compliment these extra carbs with plenty of fruit, juices, low fat yogurt, veggies, and sports drinks so that your body has the right fuel for the race.  Don’t confuse more carbs with more fat though. You still need to keep that fat count low, so opt for red sauce over alfredo when you order your pasta.

Want to learn more about the ING New York City Marathon? Then check out their official page for entrant info, race week info, and more.

Have any other marathon running tips? Share them with us in the comments!