Run a marathon?

If you had asked me that just five years ago, I would have laughed and said, ‘Never!’ In gym class, I was always the kid picked (near) last and did whatever I could to sit out of sports. In fact, I skipped the one-mile running test altogether. Unathletic and uncoordinated, I did my best to sit in the shadows and remain invisible.

Fast forward to mid-2019, when a friend convinced me to sign up for a 5K. I must admit, the shiny medal and promise of hot apple cider and a pumpkin were quite the motivation. So, I started training. With every session, I got a little faster and a little stronger. And then…my friend backed out. But I had already registered and put in the work, so I showed up alone on race day and finished feeling strong and proud.

Later that year, I moved from Ohio to North Carolina and continued running 5Ks. A half-marathon started niggling at the back of my mind. It seemed both impossible and wild but also kind of doable. Before I could talk myself out of it, I started researching half-marathons and impulsively registered for one. It ended up being virtual due to COVID, but I set a deadline and goal, determined to make it happen.

When I set my mind to something, nothing can stop me. Even though my longest run at this point was just 5 miles, I woke up on the day of my ‘scheduled’ race and started running laps around the neighborhood. 13.1 miles later, I crossed my imaginary finish line, just 24 seconds under my goal. I felt accomplished and incredibly proud.

Not long after, I met a fellow mediocre runner through a local women’s running group on Facebook. We bonded over our distaste for running and love for interval training. A close friendship quickly formed. Weekend runs became our ritual, and we started signing up for local and destination races.  

Fueled by friendship, grit, and electrolyte gummies

By mid-2023, we were half-joking about signing up for a full marathon. While we were mostly teasing, it started to feel like something we wanted to try. My friend’s bucket list race was the Disney Dopey Challenge…48.6 miles over four days. I agreed to do it with her, but neither of us wanted that to be our first marathon. We needed to know we could actually go the distance. So, doing nothing halfway, we signed up for the Space Coast Marathon, a full 26.2 miles just five weeks before our 48.6-mile Disney adventure.

Training for a fall marathon in North Carolina is brutal. Most of the training took place in the thick of summer, with temperatures often soaring past 85 degrees before our long runs wrapped up. But we pushed through and, in the process, learned a great deal about our endurance, tenacity, and what we were capable of. Every new milestone felt like a victory.

Race day arrived, and our experiences couldn’t have been more different. I felt strong. She felt under-fueled, underhydrated, and completely defeated. But we both crossed that finish line, proving to ourselves that we could do it. While most marathoners get to enjoy a week or two off after their race, we still had five weeks of training ahead of us, much to the horror of our running coach. That extra time turned out to be a good thing. It gave us a chance to fine-tune our fueling and hydration techniques. We figured out the foods and gels that worked best for us, how much water we needed, and that consuming a few ounces of a sports drink every few miles made a huge difference in how we felt.

Then came Dopey weekend. One by one, we checked off each race. By the time marathon morning came, we were excited, tired (those 2 a.m. wake-up calls are no joke) and ready to revel in our victory. As we passed each mile marker and drew closer to the finish, we knew we had our second marathon in the bag. At around mile 23, we deviated off the course to grab a margarita (yes, it’s a thing!) so we could cross the finish line with a celebratory drink in hand.

Since then, we’ve completed over 20 more half marathons and have two more full marathons on the calendar. What started as a near hatred for running turned into something we…actually kind of enjoy! To anybody considering registering for their first 26.2, convincing your mind is half the battle. Once you get past that, anything is possible!

Your journey starts here

If you’re ready to sign up for your first marathon, here are a few tips that helped me survive (and enjoy) the journey:

• Pick a race that excites you: Whether it’s close to home or along a scenic coastline, having a race you genuinely look forward to makes those early wake-ups and long runs much more motivating.

• Figure out your fueling strategy early in training: I can handle non-fruity GU gels, Payday bars, fruit snacks, and granola bars, while my friend is all about granola bars, peanut butter, and sports beans. Everyone’s stomach is different, so find what works for you before race day.
  
  
• Invest in the gear: I cannot stress this enough… invest in good shoes, clothing, and socks! Go to a running store and get fitted for shoes. Most runners need to go up at least a half-size. Also, purchase those insane $16-per-pair socks and a breathable outfit. Nobody likes blisters and chafing.
  
  
• Fuel and hydrate consistently: Make sure you eat something (about 100 calories) with carbs and sugar every 3 miles. Your body will thank you, and it will help you avoid hitting the dreaded wall. Don’t wait until you’re already dragging to start fueling. By the time you’re hungry/tired, it’s already too late. Also, make sure to drink plenty. Whether you wear a hydration vest or grab water from every hydration station, make sure you don’t skimp out on water.
  
  
• Build up your mileage slowly: Whether you’re starting from one mile or comfortably running 13, give yourself enough time to safely increase your mileage and taper down a couple of weeks before race day. Most of your short runs will fall between 4-5 miles, with one long run every week. Look up training plans or consider hiring a running coach who can tailor a plan to your goals and fitness level.
  
  
• Listen to your body: It’s okay to skip a run if you’re worn out. It’s okay to slow down if it’s hot. And it’s definitely okay to rest if something feels off. Refusing to rest when your body tells you to will do more harm than good.

Lastly, remember that training is hundreds of miles put in over several months. Race day is the victory lap of all your hard work. You’ve got this!