How to Run a Marathon

Running expert Richard Francis describes the necessary program for a beginner to compete in a marathon.

Hi! My name is Richard Francis, founder of L.V.S. Health Innovations, a health benefits company focused on getting people active. I founded L.V.S. to inspire people to get more active, get outdoors, and basically cross finish lines at events. As an athlete, I competed at the professional and the lead levels in the sports of skiing, cycling, running, and triathlon. My technical background includes over 13 years in healthcare industry. I received my education at the University of California, Davis where I studied exercise, physiology, and biomechanics. I spent over four years at the Human Performance Laboratory studying athletes, sedentary individuals, cardiac patients, and motivated people to get into exercise programs. I hope some of my experience and knowledge and background in running helps you prepare for your first marathon. As with any exercise program, be sure to visit a physician to get a clean bill of health. The following clips we're going to cover include the mental commitment required to get to the finish line. After that, we are going to cover the equipment you'll need for running, proper form and technique, building mileage in your program. After that we will cover speed work. The following clip will be strength followed with stretching, nutrition, and the final clip will be race day strategies and what to do after the race. So let's get started. This next clip, we'll focus on the mental commitment required for the physical challenge of completing a marathon.