Some key mistakes I made that you should notice-

1. 1. No rest day included
   2. No strenght training( Got to know it is also as important for beginners)
   3. Changing the plan as per my mood:((In other words not staying consistent)

A 3 month plan is ideal for beginners as most sources tell us ,which I  clearly did not  have . I think I could pull this of because of  muscle memory which i had developed over the years ..

Some you tube channels that helped me-
1)ThisMessyHappy
2)Global Triathlon Network

3) Nutrition
After doing a fair bit of research by reading some articles, watching you tube videos on key aspects one thing was common/rather 2 things-

                      1.protein

                     2.carbohydrates

As I am a vegetarian for my protein consumption I started ,to concentrate on protein sources consciously in every meal be it breakfast, lunch or dinner .Specifically on dairy sources such as curd ,milk, tofu(paneer).To top it up I also started taking a protein shake once a day immediately after a run. One important thing I did and hope  that any beginner does not make is the complete revamp of their diet overnight  ,changing to many things too quickly, as this would put undue pressure on my training because in the start ,somedays your body takes a toll and you  tend to indulge in a little treat for your satisfaction and so if you couple that with tasteless food all you might end up doing is further give yourself a reason to quit.  ( In my opinion start by changing 1 meal in a day ,improving gradually)
4) Sleep and rest
Another important aspect in giving your training a boost is quality sleep and recovery. I have to admit that I was a night owl before and my sleep schedule was screwed up , some days it was 5 hours ,somedays 8 …So I initially aimed at bringing consistency i.e to sleep 7 hours minimum everyday  and then sleep and wake up at the same time everyday .There were slipups I have to admit and so will you but the key is not to let it continue for more than 1-2 days.

5) Race day-
The event was scheduled at 12.30 pm midnight ,I reached at about 11.30,just to not rush anything .Since this was my 1st ever running event ,everything at the venue was novel and unexpected.
I had did not have a  planned  route hydration and only carried a small water bottle ,which i refilled every 3 kms.For food(rather carbohydrates ) i ate bananas and drank electrolytes . At about 16 kms in ,I experienced any runners worst nightmare- a massive cramp in my left calf(I later learnt that this happens because the lack of muscle strength), I took a salt tablet,drank some electrolytes but nothing worked , I felt helpless, in that moment ,but fortunately a fellow runner noticed my agony and told me to take some rest and wait for it to subside.It took about 10 mins for everything to become normal, and I resumed my race. Somehow I reached the 20 km mark ,and now the finish was near.The final km was filled with pain(now the other calf had started to cramp up),hunger(as I did not fuel properly the night before),and finally the Joy of completing the race,something which I had considered impossible a month before..
Some key learnings and mistakes I learned ,which might be helpful-

• • If possible join a running group(free/paid)

• • Nutrition is a silent race finishing killer,it’s importance is only felt during and after a race
  • Have a training plan ,and follow it(I wrote it on a piece of paper  and stuck it where I could see it everyday)

• • Incorporate strength training in your plan .
  • Just stick to the basics i.e good food,good sleep, good training .

6) Conclusion
In retrospect, my journey from a sedentary individual  to marathon runner has been defined by a series of triumphs and tribulations. From the humble beginnings of a novice cyclist to the euphoria of completing my first half- marathon, each step has been underscored by invaluable lessons learned. Embracing the camaraderie of the running community, prioritizing the pillars of nutrition and rest, and cultivating a resilient mindset have been instrumental in my transformation.
As I continue to chart my course along  paths of the running world, I remain ever mindful of the journey that has brought me thus far. With each stride forward, I carry with me the indelible lessons of perseverance, resilience, and the enduring pursuit of excellence

 

AT THE FINISH!!!