18 Things Marathon Training Taught Me About Life

Marathon training is no joke. I’ve learned a lot about myself as a runner (how not to pee your pants) but more importantly, I’ve learned a lot about life.

Eight months ago, on a whim, I signed up to run the NYC Marathon. Tomorrow, November 1st, I’ll be completing a life goal. Holy crap! Sounds awesome, right? Yeah, well, don’t be fooled. It’s going to suck. And training sucks. It’ll take me about 4.5 hours to run 26.2 miles – if I’m lucky – and I’m going to be walking like a zombie for the next two days… a zombie WEARING A MEDAL! Training for a marathon is a friggin’ amazing journey! I’ve completed half marathons before, but marathon training is no joke. I’ve learned a lot about myself as a runner, mainly how not to pee your pants when you’re running over 3 hours, but probably more importantly, I’ve learned a whole heck of a lot about life. So, let me share.

1. Slow down. You need a nice slow start to warm you up for the hope of an awesome finish. (MEN: are you listening?? Wink.)

2. Drink Water. Your body will love you for it. And eat the damn pasta. Your body will love you for that too.

1. Anything worthwhile takes work. A lot of work. Hard work. Do the work.

2. Spend the money and get a good pair of shoes. Because, duh.

3. There will be amazing days. There will be terrible days. One great day doesn’t guarantee success and one bad day doesn’t mean failure. It’s about consistency and sticking with it.

1. Learn to be alone. Get on good terms with your inner voice because it’s going to be very loud during your toughest miles.

2. A good outfit makes you perform better. It just does. I’m faster in neon. No, seriously.

1. Pushing too hard before you’re ready will cause injuries. The same is true for a broken heart.

2. Revel in your milestones. Remember how far you’ve come. The things that are a piece of cake now used to be your toughest challenges. Remember that when you’re struggling.

1. Listen to yourself and trust yourself. You know when you can push and when you need a break.

2. A change of scenery can revitalize you. Take it to the beach, the mountains, the lake, and enjoy the view.

1. Don’t be afraid of a new path, even though you might experience more hills than you expect.

2. Speaking of hills, you really don’t know how surprisingly tough or easy they are until you’re on them. Be prepared. The more hills you run, the easier they are to conquer. And the feeling at the top is so worth the climb.

1. Know your weaknesses and strengthen them. Don’t just train where you’re already strong. Train as a whole being.

2. Master the little things. They matter most when you hit a wall.

1. Get a mantra and say it to yourself when you’re struggling. Say it again. Say it until it becomes true.

2. Find humor in the hard stuff.

3. Reward yourself. You earned it. YOU ARE A CHAMPION!

Oh… and don’t pee your pants. Just don’t.

#startingover #thegood #independence