Half marathon, marathon?
Who has not one day wanted to embark on a medium or long distance race to test themselves or simply to experience it?
And to prepare for it, nothing better than the advice of a “pro”.
Dominique Chauvelier, quadruple French marathon champion and inveterate runner, is the man for the job and gives you some tips for swallowing up the miles in the best conditions.
Having a goal, an event in sight, how can this motivate you to practice running?
DOMINIQUE CHAUVELIER.
If you're someone with a competitive spirit, it's a test.
A month before, we get into the mood, beyond the sporting aspect: registration, fitting of the equipment, arriving in the airlocks... be careful that this is not a source either of stress.
For everyone, it's still a great challenge, there's this side: "Chick that I can do it".
It is a victory over oneself.
Do we have to have a target time for such an event?
All people say "I'm doing the marathon to finish it", but they all have a time in their head.
Even the beginner wants to do it in less than 5 hours.
They don't want to put pressure on themselves, but they still try to follow the pacemakers.
The beginner who registers like that and doesn't care about the time, there are fewer and fewer of them.
Afterwards, if you have a time at the start and you feel that you are no longer in time from the 30th km, where it becomes difficult, you have to continue at all costs.
If you give up, you're upset afterwards.
Is a half or a marathon accessible to everyone?
Semi, yes.
The marathon, you have to train, have an acceptable form, not be overweight.
Someone who is obese, who does the marathon in 6 hours, it can be bad for your health.
Even if it's a nice challenge, it's not always very serious.
What advice do you give to future marathon runners or half-marathon runners?
Two months before, a minimum of three training per week.
That's twice a weekend and one day during the week, it's still possible.
The week before the test, you no longer try to test yourself.
The bets are made on D-10, both for the marathon and for the half.
And then at least the technical side, having the right shoes and watching your diet.
Without following a drastic diet, we avoid having a party in the last days by drinking alcohol...
