Things Learned Training for a Marathon

Mindy, Greg, and I

I've been compiling this list since my 1st marathon and, with a few additions, it rings true for my 2nd and 3rd marathons.

1.  It’s harder than you think it will be, way harder.
2.  By the time you get near the end it seems so much easier than it did in the middle, even before the taper.
3. Taper is a beautiful word.
4. Eating the right meal or the wrong meal can make the difference between the best run of your life and the worst you have ever felt.
5. There is no shame in walking, in fact, it can make you faster.
6. Hydration is essential.  On the other hand it is possible to drink too much water.
7. Keeping the routine up is the most important thing, not the pace or the number of miles in a week.
8.  Everything is scheduled around runs.
9. You find a lot to talk about over a 4 hour run with someone you met only a couple of months ago.

   

   Kendra and I in our 1st Marathon

10. You find ways around your problems whether it be a little leak while running, chafing, or aches and pains even if they are embarrassing solutions.
11. At some point half marathons become easy, something you do on an impulse.  Around that same point 5ks and 10ks seem too small and too fast at the same time.
12. Shoes wear out way too fast.

    

    Worn out Lady Isaac Newtons

    
    
13. You find the holes in your running wardrobe because you end up wearing just about every running article you have during your training since it covers many seasons.
14. Pain pills are good.
15. Friends along the course are worth more than all the caffeine in the world.
16.  It is the hardest thing you’ll ever do, and then you want to do it again.
17. The course dies after you split from the half marathon runners.
18. You get a lot more pictures along a marathon course.
19.  Have someone save goodies for you in the finish area if you are not in the top half of the pack.
20. Sunburn happens after 5 hours on a race course, did not expect that.
21. Water can be gross.
22. There are a lot of people who don’t finish or don’t start a marathon after they sign up.
23. You make the best friends training for a marathon.  It makes you sad that you won’t be spending all that time with them after the marathon is over.

    

    Me, Pam, and Kendra

    
    
24. If you have a coach you hate and love them in equal amounts.
25. Pacing is hard, pacers do their best.  Don't take out your frustrations about your inability to meet your goals out on them.

I know as I run I will continue learning new things, but this is what I've figured out so far.