Marathon tips: 100 things every runner should know
- Lucy Cousins
- May 1
- 3 min read
A marathon teaches you more than just how to run. It builds resilience, confidence and perspective, says TCS Sydney Marathon Head Coach Georgia Weir.
Whether you’re lacing up for your first marathon or lining up for your tenth, there’s always more to learn. Even after 14 years of running, I’m still learning.
That’s the nature of the marathon. It doesn’t give everything away at once. It teaches you over time, through consistency, through setbacks, and through showing up.
Below are 100 things to know about running a marathon. Some are practical. Some are mindset. Some are the things no one tells you until you’re in it.
The fundamentals of running
Consistency will take you further than any perfect plan
Your long run is your foundation
Easy runs should feel easy
You don’t need to run fast all the time to improve
Strength training supports your running more than you think
Recovery is part of the work
Sleep is one of your biggest performance tools
Fuelling starts in training, not on race day
Your body adapts slower than your motivation
Small niggles are early warning, listen to them
The right shoes make a difference
What works for someone else might not work for you
Hydration is individual so learn what you need
Practice your nutrition before race day
Blisters are preventable with the right setup
Tapering can feel uncomfortable but trust it
Feeling tired is part of the process
Cross training can support longevity
You don’t need to run every day to be ready
Your body is capable of more than you think
Where mindset matters most
The marathon is as much mental as it is physical
You will have tough days, keep showing up
Discipline will carry you further than motivation
Break the race into manageable sections
Stay present, don’t get ahead of yourself
Your thoughts shape your performance
Self-talk matters more than you realise
Comparison takes energy you need for yourself
Confidence comes from preparation
You don’t need to feel ready to begin
Doubt is part of the process
You are capable of doing hard things
Bad runs don’t define your training
Trust your process
Focus on what you can control
Stay controlled early in the race
The middle is where the work is done
The final 10km is where mindset takes over
Keep moving forward… always
Finishing is a mental win as much as a physical one
The power of community
Running is stronger when it’s shared
Find people who keep you accountable
Community helps you stay consistent
Support matters, especially on tough days
Group runs can lift your performance
Everyone starts somewhere
Encouraging others strengthens you too
Running connects people from all backgrounds
You’re part of something bigger than yourself
Showing up for others helps you show up for yourself
Energy is contagious, choose your environment
Community builds momentum
You don’t have to do this alone
Celebrate the wins around you
The finish line is shared
How running changes you
You don’t need to ‘look like a runner’ to be one
If you run, you are a runner
The marathon will change how you see yourself
It builds belief
Running shifts how you approach challenges in life
It develops resilience
It expands your limits
Running is not just physical, it’s personal
You carry this into everything you do
The impact lasts long after race day
Running the TCS Sydney Marathon
The course is iconic so take it in
Running over the Harbour Bridge is a moment, be present
The crowd support will carry you when you need it
Respect the course
Don’t go out too hard early
Prepare for a range of weather conditions
Use the energy of the city to get you through
Break the course into sections
Save something for the final stretch
The finish is something you’ll never forget
Things nobody tells you about running a marathon
You might get emotional at the finish line
You might doubt yourself during the race
Race day won’t go perfectly and that’s okay
The hard moments are where you grow
The marathon exposes everything, physically and mentally
You will surprise yourself
Running can feel lonely at times
It can feel powerful at times
Your goals might shift mid-race
Your time doesn’t define your experience
You’ll replay the race in your head afterwards
You may already be thinking about the next one
The journey matters more than the result
You’ll grow in ways you didn’t expect
It stays with you
Finding your drive
Remember why you started
Show up, especially when it’s hard
Progress is built in small steps
Keep things simple
Consistency compounds over time
Back yourself
Surround yourself with the right people
Trust the work you’ve put in
Take in the experience
And lastly, 100. keep running.
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