I’ve mentioned a few times that I’ve been absent from this space because I was busy training for a marathon. Completing 26.2 miles was something I’ve always wanted to do but seemed to always put on the back burner. I originally planned to tackle the goal when I started grad school, but my busy schedule made it nearly impossible to run at all. As the years kept passing by, it seemed less likely that I would ever accomplish it.

After a running hiatus late last year, I was determined to get back into it at full force in 2019. I signed up for a half-marathon with a few friends from work, and that’s where my journey began. With a half-marathon on the horizon, I couldn’t use Portland’s gloomy weather as an excuse to skip my workout. So regardless of rain, snow or sunshine, I made sure to get in my miles every week.

All that hard work eventually paid off and I managed to shave off 23 minutes from my original half-marathon time. Although I vowed I was done, I still felt the excitement of it all a few weeks after. That, along with some encouragement from my friend Kristin, motivated me to sign up for the Foot Traffic Flat. With a date set in stone for me to complete my goal, it was time to get down to business.

I finally crossed the finish line a few weeks ago and it was an incredible experience. All things leading up to the race taught me so much about myself and accomplishing my goals. So, if you’re getting started on your marathon journey or simply considering it, keep reading to learn a few bits of wisdom I gained along the way.

Finding a Training Buddy or Run Group Can Help You Stay Motivated

Training for a marathon would not have been possible without the support of the people around me. As I mentioned, I seriously started pursuing the goal after encouragement from my friend. She put things into perspective by reminding me that I was already going to be halfway there. Why not train for a marathon if I already felt in good shape after my half?

My friend Kristin, who was training for a marathon herself, made the process easier by inviting me on her long runs. The picture above was actually taken during a 14-miler in the Tillamook Forest. I also trained with her running group, and the incentive of having an excuse to socialize was enough to keep me accountable.

Aside from the people who joined me on my runs, friends and family were also a huge source of support. Simply having friends check in to see how my training was going kept me motivated to stay on track.

(Here, I’m wearing my favorite marathon training gear: the OV ‘Hudson’ short sand Hoka One One Cliftons.)

Having the Right Gear Can do Wonders for Your Performance

It’s really crazy how having the right gear can make running a billion times more enjoyable. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I simply didn’t have enough workout clothes to accommodate my training schedule. While I’ve used the trick of wearing workout clothes more than once, that’s impossible when you’re logging in workouts that leave you drenched in sweat. That was a great excuse for me to stock up on a few items, including a few pairs of the Outdoor Voices ‘Hudson’ shorts and ‘Athena’ crop tops. By the way, I’ve always avoided running in shorts to avoid chafing, but using Body Glide was a total gamechanger for me.

And, what everybody tells you about finding the right shoes is completely true. After trying to train in Adidas Ultraboosts for a few months, I realized that wasn’t the shoe for me. Running anything longer than a 10k in them felt uncomfortable. I replaced them with the OVxHoka One One Cliftons and invested in a few pairs of running socks(I like these), and my feet and legs totally felt the difference.

In addition to having clothes that make you feel great about working out, having the right accessories is key. With longer distances, you need some way to carry your fuel and stay hydrated. This Nathan handheld water bottle was a lifesaver for me! It was very comfortable to use and I love that I could carry my keys and a couple of packs of Honeystinger waffles in the pouch. In the future, I also want to invest in a hydration vest since it’s more convenient for when you’re running on trails.

It’s Important to Find a Training Plan that Works for You

Training for my half was super easy because I’d already been there, done that. I didn’t have to deviate from my usual running schedule other than adding in a longe run each week. When I decided to go for the marathon, however, I knew that would be a completely different monster to tackle.

Thankfully, there’s plenty of great resources on the internet to match your fitness level, goals and schedule. I used a modified version of this training plan, replacing one short run with one of two weekly strength-training sessions. Since I had plenty of time to train, I also added two 22-mile runs at the end and tapered for a month.

Learn to Listen to What Your Body Is Telling You It Needs

I’ve never been more in tune with my body than during my training. Every run, I had to be mindful of any aches in order to ensure that I wasn’t ignoring an injury. I also had to be really aware of when I needed fuel or water. I definitely bonked on one or two runs because I didn’t take enough nutrition. Trust me, there’s nothing like having 6 more miles to go and not knowing how you’ll muster up the energy to run back home to make you change your habits.

Paying attention to what your body needs when you’re not running is equally important. For one, I’ve never eaten so much food in my life. On those days where I couldn’t satisfy my hunger, I had to check in with myself to see what my body really needed. Although I tried to stick to a healthy diet as much as possible, there were days when I knew that only a hamburger or some very protein-rich and fatty food would satisfy my hunger.

(This is bautiful Sauvie Island, where I completed my marathon.)

Remember That You’re Already Accomplishing A Lot by Simply Crossing the Finish Line

It’s totally okay to have goals. Do remember, however, that whatever happens on race day, you’re still a badass for making it this far. My goal was to finish under 4 hours and I missed that mark by 6 minutes. There was also a part of me that was hoping I would qualify for Boston on my first try, especially after running at the appropriate pace for the first 14 miles. But, I had to put that behind me when I realized my body couldn’t keep up.

At the end of the day, I was already accomplishing the main thing I set out to do, so nothing else mattered. There was no way that I was going to let something as silly as my race time keep me from enjoying the day.

And that pretty much wraps up the lessons I learned during my marathon training. I hope this inspires you and provides you with some direction if you’re thinking of tackling that goal or any other longer distance of some sort.