Yes, you read that right. You, my fraaand, can run 26.2 miles and Juno and I are here to tell you why.
I joined the track team my junior year of high school. I was incapable of completing a lap around the track without stopping. I considered myself a sprinter, not a distance runner, but my first track meet proved otherwise.
At the second meet I attempted an 800-meter race. I shot out of the blocks like a bat out of hell and conked out 300 meters in. I finished the 800-meter race in last place with a smile on my face because I didn't care. I did my best and it felt REALLY good.
In the months following I trained myself for distance running by setting short goals on the treadmill and outside. Can I run for 2 minutes straight without stopping? Can I run a mile straight without stopping? I’ll continue until the next verse of this song, and if I feel good, I’ll run until the end. (This was also before the days of fitbits, iPhone fitness tracking apps and those fancy GPS watches).
By the time I graduated high school in 2008 I was able to run up to 4 miles straight without stopping. It became an addiction (a healthy one!) and a lesson in goal setting. There was always room for improvement, so I didn’t stop when I got to 4 miles. I kept going.
I completed my first half marathon (13.1 miles) in January 2011 and my first marathon (26.2 miles) 3 years later.
So, if I, a chick who couldn’t finish a lap around the track without walking, can complete a marathon, I am 150% convinced that you can complete one too.
Here are three of my personal tips to get you started.
1. Mind Over Matter
Not only should you apply this mantra to running, but you should apply it to everything you do in life. Our brains are fascinating and powerful organs that can push us past our physical limitations. Anything we set our mind to, whether its running a marathon or figuring out how to launch a rocket, can be done if we have the will to do it.
It takes training, patience and persistence, but you will get there! Do not compare yourself to others that are further along than you or might have more years of experience. The wonderful thing about this sport is that you are your only competition.
2. Set Realistic Goals
No one, and I mean NO ONE, left their mothers womb as a marathoner. Some people might have a genetic make up that gives them an advantage over others (height, weight, etc.) but we all had to start somewhere.
I tell new runners to set short-term goals. Let’s make the first goal half a mile without stopping. Can you do that? Great! Now, let’s go for the full mile. Need to walk? That’s perfectly fine. Let’s just keep working at it until we hit our goal.
Register for a 5k (3.1 miles) so you have something to work towards. Don’t worry if you’re not able to run 3 miles straight on race day. The experience alone will further prepare and motivate you to continue on your personal running journey. Whether it takes you 30 minutes or an 1 hour and 30 minutes, it doesn’t matter as long as you finish, and most of all, have FUN!
As I noted above, I did not have access to a tracking device when I first started. Now we now have access to fancy apps to help us with tracking distance and time. My favorite is Runkeeper.
3. What to Wear and What to Use
This is a blog post all on its own because gear is so very important. It’s also very specific. But to keep this post from being obnoxiously long, I’m going to tell you what you should and should not do when it comes to clothes, nutrition and accessories.
Do This:
· Wear a pair of running shoes specifically fitted for your running style (legitimate running stores perform a gait analysis on you to determine your running style)
· Wear running clothes with moisture wicking material that prevents chaffing, blisters, etc.
· Use nutrition (gels, chews, waffles, etc.) on long runs to replenish low levels of sodium, electrolytes, sugars and other essential nutrients that keep us powered
· Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration (it’s literally the worst feeling in the worrrrrrld)
· Find a safe running route with a clear path (trail, sidewalk, or track) that is away from busy roads and highways
· Change out your running shoes every 300-500 miles
Do Not Do This:
· Buy a pair of running shoes based off price and/or style without being properly fitted (Nike Free Runs are cute but they can damage your body if they’re not for your gait)
· Wear cotton (socks, t-shirts, pants, etc.,) because it will hold your sweat, stretch out, weigh you down, smell really bad and leave you with chafe marks
· Neglect to eat balanced meals before or after you run (what you eat fuels your performance)
· Wear old running shoes (be prepared for knee pain and shin splints if you do)
· Fail to follow a consistent training routine and expect to wing it on race day
I learned a lotttt from years working at running stores back when I lived in Tampa. I coached run groups ranging from couch to 5k (beginner) to half marathon, and beyond. A fun fact is that I even trained an astronaut for his first marathon. It is a pleasure to have introduced so many people to a sport that has changed my life in many positive ways.
If you’re looking for more tips and inspiration, you should follow my big sister, Sarah. She has a blog called Race and Recover specifically geared towards running and serves as an ambassador for some really rad running brands. She’s one of my biggest inspirations and I owe it to her for introducing me to the sport.
In conclusion, my friends, there is no reason why you cannot complete a marathon. All you have to do is practice mind over matter, set realistic goals, and stay away from cotton clothes and Nike Frees 😉
I'll be back with another blog about the gait analysis, proper running clothes, nutrition and more in a later post. Feel free to leave a comment below with any questions or comments. Also, if you're in the LA area and want to meet up for a run sometime, please feel free to reach out! =)
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