Attention all running enthusiasts! SELF recently paid a visit to JackRabbit Sports' New York City Running Show, where we met up with the six runners training with JackRabbit for the Hamptons Marathon. Lace up your sneaks and check out our tips below from trainer Jonathan Cane to get your stride in marathon-ready shape.![+++inset-image-left

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JackRabbit Sports' newest campaign, Run for the Rabbit, recently hand-selected six participants ranging from experienced marathoners to first-time runners, to train with renowned running coach Jonathan Cane while raising funds for a charity they hold close to their hearts. Cipriana, a novice runner and first-time marathon participant is running in the name of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, in order to honor her brother who passed away from the disease. "This is going to be my first marathon," Cipriana says. Like a lot of wannabe racers, Cipriana is looking forward to conquering her nerves and completing the treck. "What I'm most excited about is challenging myself and challenging what I think I can do. Being able to do this for a charity that means a lot to me is really going to keep me motivated and keep me out there."

So what kind of advice is Coach Cane instilling in his runners, including Cipriana, to keep them going until September 24? "The main thing, especially for the new runners who are doing their first marathon, and the thing I keep stressing to them is it's most important to get them to the starting line healthy," Cane says. Training for your own race? Follow Cane's advice to keep yourself in tip-top shape and on the fast track to the finish line.

Pull Back On The Reins

"I think people envision the coaches' role as just cracking the whip and make them do more, but in fact a lot of times, I have to temper their enthusiasm a bit," Cane says. "There's a certain amount of orthopedic stress associated with running, so you can't be as aggressive as you would if you were training a swimmer or cyclist where there isn't all that orthopedic pressure involved."

Cane suggests that beginning marathoners give themselves a solid six months time for training purposes. For his JackRabbit runners, Cane plans on spending the first initial months establishing a base and getting them into a steady routine of running about four days a week, for three or four miles at a time. From there, he's looking to spend four months building up their distance until they are three weeks away from the Hamptons Marathon, then tapering off. "When that four month period begins, it's a matter of being very methodical," Cane maintains. "We'll generally adhere to what is sometimes referred to as the 10 percent rule. For example, if they ran 20 miles one week, we'll have them up to 22 the next week and 24 the next week."

Don't Race To Beat The Clock

For your first marathon, don't get yourself caught up in time goals, Cane suggests. "During subsequent marathons, I'm all about setting time goals and doing better than the first one, but for the initial race, I want them coming across the finish line with a smile on their face," Cane says, adding that this "pressure-off" approach is a good way to not only enjoy your first marathon, but also encourage a life-long affinity for racing. "I see too many runners who do their first marathon hating the whole process, cross it off their bucket list and that's the end of it. I'm much more concerned with this becoming part of their lifestyle."

Give Yourself An Incentive

The biggest way to get yourself off the couch and onto the course? Run for the cause. Like the JackRabbit crew, running in the name of a charity organization or to raise funds is a great way to keep yourself motivated and make the marathon about more than just you. "I fully expect everyone to have bad days along the way, but if you stay focused on a charity component, I think that's going to help you so when you have those occasional days when the alarm goes off and you want to keep hitting the snooze button. Even if you're not loving the process all the time, the fact that you're [running] for a cause that is important to you is an added benefit." Want to harness some of the JackRabbit team's do-good mojo? Rally your friends and family for donations to your favorite charity upon completion of your marathon and you'll feel extra accomplished crossing that finish line.

--Alyssa Longobucco

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