Marathon Training
I'm 5 weeks into training for my first full marathon, and while I've still got a long way to go, I want to share my experience so far because the big accomplishment of running a marathon is not the race itself; it’s the months of hard work and commitment that goes into training for it.
First off let me clarify to all the non-runners out there: a marathon is 42km. It is my biggest pet peeve when people call 10km races 'marathons' LOL.
WHY NOW?
For me, running a marathon has always been on my bucket list, but as a very distant thing that I knew I would eventually do but felt very far away and out of reach. My parents are both serious runners, so I always thought it would be something I did as an adult when I was settled down. But a couple years ago I made the goal of running one before I turned 25 years old. I am 23 (almost 24), now, and since I quit drinking a few months ago and am at my peak physical condition, when my gym membership came to and end I figured there is no time like the present to go for this goal! While I'm still living at home and have the support of my family, I decided to start my training and set my sights on the Hamilton Marathon, in early November.
TRAINING
I'm super grateful to have marathon-running parents to guide me through my first one. My dad reached out to his running buddies to get me a solid training plan. The plan consists of 17 weeks of 4-6 runs per week, including one long run, one strength/endurance/speed workout, and the rest moderate runs per week. I started a bit late and jumped in around the 4th week lol, but since I'm not a beginner runner and already have a very strong cardio and fitness level, I figured it would be fine.
I've written about my running experience in a previous post but I'll give a quick recap. I've run 2 half marathons (PB 1:48), and a bunch of 10kms & 5kms. I started running in grade 5 and always did track and cross country in school, although I was never a star at all. In fact I came dead last in the 3000m in grade 10 lol. I definitely excel at long distance running, because I am not fast and am absolutely not a sprinter. I started training for my first half marathon when I finished first year university, and to be honest part of that goal was to lose my freshman 15. I decided to do another half after finishing university, again having gained about 20lbs while on exchange in Brazil in my fourth year. This is the first time my training is solely motivated by the goal itself, and not by weight-loss. And to be honest, it feels amazing because my training is coming from a positive place rather than a punishing one.
TRAINING
So I'm 5 weeks into my training which is obviously still super early, the farthest distance I've run so far is only 27km. This post might be a bit like counting your chickens before they hatch but I feel like reflecting on the process so far because I'm really proud of myself for how it's going so far! Here are a few random thoughts and things I've learned so far:
- Gels and water are vital: On long runs I carry a small water bottle and GU gels with me for energy, which I take every hour. My fave flavour is Salted Caramel, it's actually delicious! Maybe it's a placebo but I seriously feel such a second wind when I take the gels, and of course staying hydrated is really important. My first long run of my training was only 17km, but I was dying lol. I didn't have water or gels with me on that run, and if I wasn't with a group from the Running Room for pacing and motivation I don't think I would've finished! The week after I had to do 23km, which I did with Blacktoe, and this time I brought water and gels and I felt AMAZING. I was so nervous because my 17lm felt so hard, but the 23km felt amazing and this gave me so much confidence for the rest of my long runs.
- Running alone: I still absolutely prefer running with a group or even just my dad and/or sister, but I've also realized I have the strength and willpower to run long distances on my own too. I usually do my long runs with other people (or at least part of it), but I do most of my other runs on my own, up to 16km+, which I didn't think I'd be able to do before. I used to give up easily when running on my own!
- Watches help but don't be a slave to it: My Garmin keeps me pacing properly and tracking distance which is vital for proper training, but I need to not get discouraged about the pace. In the past when I see a high number on the pace I get mad myself and stop running, because in my mind I'm like oh if I'm slow I might as well not even run. The beauty of long distance running is that you are SUPPOSED to go slow so that you can last the distance.
- Having a long term goal is so motivating: Having all these runs adding up to a bigger accomplishment is so motivating and satisfying. Rather than just going to the gym to stay fit and healthy, when sometimes it can easy to convince yourself that you don't need to go some days, that you don't need to work that hard, training for a marathon means that every run, every kilometre, is important and has a greater purpose. As I mentioned above I'm not running to lose weight, so I'm solely motivated by the idea of accomplishing a big goal/dream rather than looking a certain way. If anything I'm looking less fit these days because I'm not lifting weights at all, but that's okay!
- Balancing running and dance is hard: Not gonna lie, the hardest part of training so far has been balancing it with dance. Sundays are the hardest; they are my long run days and they are also Hot In Heels rehearsal days, which are 4 hours of training (in HEELS!). Other days I'm running in the mornings and then heading to classes/rehearsals/gigs, and my legs are so tired and sore it's nuts. Sometimes I can't even straighten my legs without huge pain because my calves are so sore and tight.
The worst is definitely yet to come and it's about to get a lot harder, but I'm feeling good about my progress so far and believe that I can do it. If you're training for anything right now let me know! Let's run!