I am running a marathon in Alaska this summer.
I’ve surmised that the more people I announce this fact to, the less likely it is that I’ll retract my commitment before the big day in July arrives. As a result, I’ve been telling everyone within earshot, and am now writing it here, on my blog.
Halfway Point Progress
Currently, I’m halfway through training. I ran 12 miles this past weekend, and am slated to run a half-marathon this upcoming Sunday. Transparently, I didn’t know this was physically possible for me, let alone that I would make it far enough into the training to be able to claim this feat. Yet, here we are.
8 Key Marathon Training Takeaways
At the mid point of this chapter, here are a few of the key takeaways I’ve had so far:
- Running Isn’t Always Fun – I do not like running. I find it boring, tiresome, and at times, stupid. I love walking because it allows me to take in everything around me, and I have energy to both complete the walk and contemplate life at the same time. I like stopping to take pictures of the fauna and meandering into shops that seem interesting along the way. Running does not allow me to do any of this.
- Proper Nutrition Is Essential – You have to eat a LOT to sustain your body when you’re training for a marathon. This feels intuitive as I type it, but was a lesson I had to learn the hard way during the first few weeks of training. At one point, I went to my aunt’s house and slept for 14 of the 24 hours I was there. She told me I needed to eat more, and since I’ve been following this advice, things have, admittedly, gotten a lot easier.
- Your Body Is Capable of Amazing Things – My body can accomplish way more than I give it credit for. For a long time, I didn’t run because I simply thought I couldn’t. The fact that, even if I don’t particularly like the activity, my body can sustain itself to run for 12 miles (over 2 hours!) at a time is an incredible feat. I am so lucky to be healthy enough to be able to do this.
- Protein Makes a Difference – Protein is important. I have never worked out so consistently or frequently in my entire life as I have the past two months. I did not understand that you not only have to eat, but you have to eat the right things in order to power your body for rigorous physical activity. I have started to enjoy protein smoothies (kind of) and eat red meat on a regular basis, new additions to my dietary routines that help me feel better when I run.
- Embracing New Challenges – Doing new things feels good. I like pushing myself out of my comfort zone and attempting goals I didn’t think were possible before. I assumed I couldn’t run a marathon, so I never tried. Even if I don’t love the running/training process everyday, I’m still activating muscles I never have before and accomplishing fitness feats I never dreamed I would. And that feels extremely empowering.
- Weather Planning Is Crucial – Running is weather-dependent. Again, this feels intuitive, but I had no idea how much of my weekly activities would become hinged on whether it was rainy, sunny, too hot, or too cold on given days. I can’t run when it’s too hot, so I have to wake up early some days to get my miles in. Other days, it’s going to rain, so I need to re-arrange my schedule so I can ensure I can run when it’s not raining. There’s a lot of mental work that goes into this physical triumph.
- Finding Ways to Stay Engaged – I get bored easily. I suppose I knew this before, but now, when I am trapped in my own body for 2+ hours once a week doing the same rote exercise, I have become intimately aware of the fact that doing the same thing over and over again gets boring kind of quickly. Audiobooks have become my friend, as well as curated playlists (if you’ve got recommendations, let me know!).
- Mental Transformation – I can accomplish anything. If there is one takeaway from this experience that I keep coming back to, it is this. I have run in the rain, in the heat, when I have been severely depressed, and when I have felt euphoric. If I thought this wasn’t possible, and it turns out it was, I can only imagine all the other incredible pursuits I am able to take on and realize. This experience has built up my self-confidence and empowered me in ways I am incredibly grateful for.
Looking Ahead
The journey is only halfway over, and I’m sure I’ll have far more takeaways by the conclusion of this experience. But for now, this is where I leave you.
Share Your Advice!
If you have any marathon training tips, playlists, favorite running snacks, etc. please feel free to leave a comment or connect via email. I am actively seeking advice on how to make the second half of this training as impactful as possible.
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