Running your first marathon is all about remaining positive. It is more a game of mind than body. Here are quick marathon training tips to get you started

Typically our bodies work in a weekly biological cycle, and it is important how much distance you run per week and not per day basis. So if you are running a full 42 km marathon, you need to run 42 km per week for about 4-6 months before your marathon

First marathon is always special, it is an adventure, it is true test of your character how you keep up and motivate yourself. It always helps to get along with a group of runners, as it is a long journey as you train and as you run your first race

Goal for first marathon should be "to complete the marathon", it is test of how long you run and not how fast you do it

Typically you run 2 days in a week outdoors for say 5-8 km runs, 2 days work out in the gym with short 3-4 km runs, and run a big run for 10-25 km on weekend. Allow yourself two full days of rest per week

You go through a pattern, even if you keep your total distance per week more of less constant. You increase your long run in steps like 15 km, 20 km, 22 km, 24 km, .. 32 km, and then again come back to 20 km, and start again

You can download readymade training schedule from websites like Marathon Rookie, and then modify to suit your running style

First thing you need to invest on, is a pair of good running shoes. There are big brands like Nike and Adidas. But my advice just use Asics, they are the best for long distance running. Nike & Adidas are good looking, but it takes a while to break into new shoes and get used to. With Asics, you start running in your new shoes as if you are using them for couple of months. Please change your shoes every 3-4 months if you are training for marathon

Eat lots of carbo foods, like rice, bread, pasta, potatoes and similar along with lots of water. Avoid alcohol, junk food totally. For first marathon, it helps to eat more than you would usually eat and gain a few kilos during the week, which you then lose over the long runs

It is important to become very strict about the diet about 2 months before the marathon

If you are running a long run and running in a big group it is nice to listen to music, so that you can feel good and time passes quickly enough. But if you are running along the roads, crossing traffic signals, it is a big "No No" to listening to music, as you will get lost at times and invite trouble

There are scientific reasons, how you body feels "Runners' High", as sources of energy change as you run long distances. I like the emotional reasons for "Runners' High". As you start running, you feel like you will not go long, but as you run long say 45 min, time comes you feel like going on and on, and feel like you should never stop. That is in my opinion the "Runners' High", something which motivates every runner every day and every run !

I am sure you do not need more tips than these to start running, and getting to your first marathon !