Marathon season has officially begun across Europe.This Sunday (April 23), key players on the continent and beyond will be closing down their cities so hundreds of thousands of runners can take months’ worth of training to the streets; whether they’re looking for a personal best, a new medal to hang in their hallway or just to be able to say they were there.While events like the Manchester Marathon and the Paris Marathon have already taken place, cities including London, Madrid, Hamburg, and Vienna will be shutting down their main roads this weekend so that runners - from the elite to the everyday jogger - can chase that coveted 42.2 km.Safe to say, it’s a long old slog running a marathon whatever your ability level.
But what exactly does the physical challenge do to your mind, body, and - if it doesn’t feel a stretch too far to add - soul?Several studies suggest you can lose up to half an inch throughout the course of a marathon (don’t panic though, gentlemen, this is purely spinal cord-related).It’s believed this is due to a number of factors, including muscle tension and losing fluid between your spinal disks.
And on that note…If you hop on the scales in the immediate aftermath of a marathon, the likelihood is you’ll be lighter after having sweat out up to 5 kg of water in the hours before.Organised marathons have regular pit stops to top up on the H2O, and you should absolutely make the most of them.Staying hydrated throughout will not only minimise the risk of feeling nauseous and faint during the run, but can also aid muscle recovery in the longer term.Running one marathon could burn up to 3,500 calories, depending on your body stats, age and fitness level.That’s why carb-loading the night before has become a go-to