Running Your First Marathon? A Running Coach Shares What to Expect

"Many first-time marathoners make the mistake of wearing their regular gym shoes to start running," Roberto said. You'll want a shoe that's designed specifically for running to prevent injury, as most training shoes aren't made for running and vice versa. Instead of just wearing any ol' shoe for your runs, Roberto recommended visiting a specialty running store to get a gait analysis — a running assessment that identifies biomechanical abnormalities and how your foot strikes the ground — to find the best style of shoe for your foot.

"Get involved with a coach or join a group," said Roberto. When it comes to your training, Roberto advised that you "start gradually and cautiously with your training." Running too many miles too early in your training can put you at risk for injury, which is why Roberto suggested setting your end goal, and working backwards from it. If you're in need a training plan, try one of the following:

A common race-day mistake marathon rookies (and even some veterans) tend to make is going out too fast; Roberto explained that most people do this in order to get around the large pack of people clumped at the starting line, but this will only mess with your pace. Instead of starting out too fast, Roberto recommended aiming to run even splits (running the same time for each mile) for the first chunk of the race and then moving to negative splits (running faster than the prior mile) throughout your final miles. Don't go out too fast, and try to hold on to that too-quick pace. "Remember, in a marathon, you have 26.2 miles to run, so you don't need to race out of the gate. Pace yourself and let the race come to you," advised Roberto.

Roberto explained that cramps are typically a result of dehydration and low sodium levels. He said hydrating with electrolyte rich beverages and using salt tablets should help manage cramps. If you experience cramping on race day, Roberto said not to panic. Instead, "Slow down and focus on relaxing as much as possible," he said. If you get a side stitch (a cramp in your side), Roberto said to stretch it out by lifting your arm overhead, and leaning in the opposite direction of the side that's cramping while taking deep breathes.

Unfortunately, you can't control the weather, and Roberto said that when conditions are lackluster (hot, humid, rainy, etc.) you should "focus on what you can control." If it's extremely hot, Roberto suggested slowing down and focusing less on the clock and more on how your body feels. During extreme heat, he also recommended wearing light colored, moisture-wicking materials to bring the sweat to the surface of the clothing.