How to tell when you are in great form to run a marathon well

Mary Keitany training in Iten

There are so many methodologies that athletes use to tell when they are finally in their right form to race well. Some may not be very common. For example, I normally just hold my wrist with the other hand and tell what kind of form I am during my training. Others compare themselves against their training colleagues.



Below are the most common signs that many athletes tend to agree on as the most common indicators of someone in good form to go out and run a great race.

1. Craving for food

There are days when runners seem to find any foodstuff they taste, or even just think about, are sweeter than they have usually been. I know of some interesting stories that have involved food in some training destinations around here, especially after some days of hard training.

Six reasons why Dennis Kimetto was sure to break the world record for marathon in 2014

Dennis Kimetto talking with Justin Lagat in Kapng'etuny, Kenya.

With 4 days to go before the Berlin Marathon in 2014, I caught up with Dennis Kimetto in Kapng'etuny, Kenya as he finalized on his training before heading out to Berlin. He is a man of few words, but the few words he told me, supported by hard facts, made me wonder whether the world marathon record was not as good as broken.



First of all, the weather predicted for that Sunday (the 28th of September 2014) in Berlin would be more favorable than the previous year when Wilson Kipsang broke the record.

Joyciline Jepkosgei, the world record holder in 10K and half marathon to make her marathon debut in New York

Joyciline Jepkosgei after setting a new world record for the half marathon

Joyceline Jepkosgei will be running the marathon distance for the first time at the New York City Marathon in November. It is understandable when the focus is at times given to other athletes coming to run here, given the depth of the elite field. But, it is worth noting that with world records in the 10km and half marathon distances, Jepkosgei will surely be one of the biggest stars to watch out for here. 

Many reigning world champions will not defend their titles in Doha

Men's 10,000m race at the 2017 London World Championships

From the new IAAF rules on testosterone that has affected the women’s events from the 400m to the 1500m distances, to some of the 2017 medalists like Mo Farah and Usain Bolt moving away from track running, to other defending champions being injured and uncertain of participating at the Doha world championships, this year’s world championships seem to be very open in many of the track events. It remains to be seen whether a good number of the 2017 world champions will defend their titles.