If you did not know, I have run.. (ran.. whatever, this isn’t English class) 20+ marathons and a full 140.6 Ironman in the span of 3.5 years. Prior to this, I had never run a 5k. I played competitive soccer in High School, but as many of us, my fitness really went out the window in college. I could NOT believe those people that managed to get up to WATCH their friends run a marathon, let alone run one.
In July 2016, my friend told me she wanted to run a marathon and I was SHOCKED. I probably even made a few comments as to why she was crazy, but deep down it was rooted from jealousy because who doesn’t want to at least be fit enough to run a marathon. So, a few months later, I joined her!
Tip/Step 1: (Well for me, that was to register for one. Because there was no way I was quitting)
I remember the first 3 miles I ran. Definitely with a few walking breaks. Texting my already marathoner sister-in-law saying that I really think I done F*d up registering for the Chicago marathon. Haha! (of course I registered before even having run a mile).
Tip/Step 2: RUN at least 1 mile without stopping.
If you can train yourself to run 1 mile slow enough that you can finish without stopping… I don’t know the statistics… but I’m pretty sure you can progress enough to finish a marathon. Sound crazy? Well, if you can run a mile… then you can run a mile 2x a week, then 3x, then every day, then 2 miles… get it? That’s just how it works!! Barring any injuries, the physical ability IS attainable. It’s the dedication and mental toughness that will stop you.
Tip/Step 3: Run a 5k
For me, I did not register for a 5k. Marathons are expensive, so I figured if I was going to pay for a race, a 5k was not worth it to me. As I mentioned earlier, I walked out my front door and ran 3.1 miles. I don’t think I owned a watch at this point. I remember driving 1.6 miles in my car from my house one day and knew that was how far I’d have to run there and back. Some people (like my brother) don’t even use a watch for training EVER. This is not a common practice, but it is possible. Remember 1.YOU are the machine. All you need to run are a good pair of shoes, and even them, marathon runners have existed long before shoes were as well designed as they are today. 2. RUNNING IS FREE. There is no monetary excuse not to be a runner, if you enjoy it.
Tip/Step 4: RUN SLOW!
I cannot stress this enough. If your goal is to RUN A MARATHON. I do not care if you can run a 5k in 17 minutes. Learning the ability to maintain a pace for 3.5-5.5 hours straight, is a bit different, OKAY! (Super legit if you can run a 5k that fast though lol, I definitely canNOT). Your goal in the beginning is to get used to running further and further in one sitting without stopping. This all sounds so common sense, but until you do it, for me it was just a mystery HOW to start.
Tip/Step 5: Choose a training program/schedule
I, and most of my running friends, swear by Hal Higdon’s training program. This is the one I used: Marathon Training Program. There are a few different training programs to choose from based off of your starting ability. There are also half marathon training programs, if you wanted to start there. There’s no one right way or time frame to become a marathoner. You DEFINITELY don’t have to do it within one year. It will be just as impressive and accomplishing crossing that finish line whether it takes you 5 years or 5 months.
Tip/Step 6: Register for a half marathon.
Seems a bit aggressive having only run a 5k? Well, I sincerely believe if you have taught yourself to run 3.5 miles without stopping, you are FULLY capable of running a half-marathon. Probably sounds crazy again. Well, barring injury, you’ve beaten the mental aspect of running enough to run 3.5 miles. That will be the same strength you build on as you continue to run a 4, 5, 6, 7 miles… It will just vary how quickly you’re able to progress. Your biggest road block will be your own mind/excuses, I promise you that… again.. as always.. barring injuries. Choose a race far enough out that you feel comfortable with. For me, since I already registered for a marathon, HA, I had better choose a half marathon a few months before my full marathon.
My SIL and I at my first half – Muddy Monk 1/2 Marathon
The Aid Stations ran out of water. I’ve never had this happen again. It was a FLUKE and petrified me for future races. It was the most humid race I’ve run to date. Not ideal! But, things come up.
Tip 7: Be consistent, but don’t be hard on yourself
Did I follow my training program to the T? No. Did I have friends who said “I was really strict. I made sure I ran every single day the program said to”, yes. Did we both finish the race, YUPP! You don’t get a medal for HOW you train. You get a medal for crossing that finish line. That being said, the most important thing when choosing how hard to train is listening to your body. If you’re training on a tweaked knee, you’re probably hurting yourself more in the long run… ha.. pun… than you would be by taking a week off.
Tip 8: Don’t skip the long runs
Although I wasn’t the strictest of training runners, I did not skip my long runs. AKA: the longest run of the week that usually is longer than the week before in your training program. Whether I ran 4 days that week, or got in just a few miles, I made sure I completed my long run on the weekend. After all, I knew deep down that if my mind had not made it past that mile # in the past, I would never make it to 26.2. Increasing my miles was the only way there.
This was after my first 20 miler. (Chicago Lakefront 20 Miler) It went great! Except for when Bert went to the start line in stead of the finish line by accident and missed my finish. HA! It was a point-to-point race, and a warm sunny run at that. He also started to workout and get fit not long after this. CHECK BACK for a post about how this newfound lifestyle/hobby of yours will bleed through to your love ones 🙂
Tip 9: Hydrate and eat.. as runners refer to as “nutrition”
Okay, I could probably run 6-10 miles without a sip of water. This is not an accomplishment. Your body NEEDS water long before it tells you you’re thirsty. You know this. 90% (I made that up.. but probably pretty close) of people don’t drink enough water in a day who do not run, let alone runners. Drink water every couple of miles to keep your muscles from cramping and to be frank… from going into kidney failure.. which does happen. As for eating, trial and error throughout training should prepare you for this just fine. Just eating SOMEthing whether it’s a caffeinated gummy/cliff bar/mnms etc. every 5 miles or so, and you should be good.
Tip 10: “Run YOUR race” – “Run when you can, walk when you have to” – “nothing new on race day”
The day is here. If you try to run faster OR slower to stay with a friend, odds are you’ll regret it. No matter what way you spin it.. 26.2 is a long a** time to be running. By the end, you’re likely going to want it to be over with. Starting off too quickly because you “can” and are feeling good, I promise you a couple of hours later you will be wishing you had run at the pace you’ve been practicing. Adrenaline will only get you so far. At this point, you’ve put in the time, if you’ve trained with nutrition and have completed at least 1 “20 miler”,… barring injury… and mental toughness… you WILL finish the marathon.
CHECK BACK for tips on what products I used while I trained. You will need a pair of shoes that work for you, but just remember, YOU are the machine.
xo Katie
