10 things marathon training taught me
Since my last post, I’ve done no exercise. Yup, 72 hours without any sweating (unless you count night sweats from my husband’s and my inability to agree on a comfortable thermostat setting). No workout for 3 days is seriously a non-injured, non-post surgery recovery record for me.
But my body needed it. I’m not sore, but I’m physically and emotionally drained. I’m eager to get back into regular sweat sessions again though. And with a low-key weekend planned, I’m hoping to do just that 
Like my two official pictures from the marathon? I’m just glad they didn’t catch me while I was walking 
Marathon training reflections
I thought I’d share some of my thoughts on marathon training. I completed a marathon in January 2009, but I didn’t really train. (I came down with a terrible cold for 2 weeks, there was a major outbreak that prompted me to work insane hours, my dad was sick, and I was moving 6 states away from my husband to start a new job. At the time, these seemed like good excuses for not training.)
This round of training was really my first time truly marathon training. And it taught this self-proclaimed experienced half-marathoner a lot
1. Long distances don’t bite, especially when they’re done with friends. Before training, I thought 20 mile runs were the scariest thing in the world. Yes, they’re hard, but they’re nothing most experienced runners can’t handle. Being on your feet for 3 hours or so is overwhelming, but it’s much more bearable with a training buddy or two.
2. Trust your body, not the training plan. Once I got up to 18 miles, I found I needed more than one day off from running. I resisted at first, but found the whole week of training went better if I took 2 days post-long run off from running.
3. Cross-training is your friend. I wish I listened to my own advice. Training was going much better- and I may have been faster- when I was also triathlon training. My next marathon training cycle will involve more biking, swimming, yoga, and strength training. Can someone please hold me to this?
4. It gets easier. When I first started doing runs longer than 12 miles, I’d be spent the rest of the day. I’d have to turn down any plans that didn’t involve me laying on the couch. But, this feeling disappeared as I got further along in my training. I even went out a bit the night of my marathon. I’m not really sure though if this had more to do with my fitness or the fact that summer turned to fall (see #8). Along the same lines, distances that felt hard during marathon training- 10 to 12 milers- are now cake for my body.
5. Hop on board the emotional rollercoaster. Maybe this is my crazy fluctuating hormones, but I was an wreck during marathon training. I over-thought everything. I harassed friends for advice constantly, I kept changing my training plan, I even signed up for 2 marathons within 13 days of each other (which ended up being a blessing in disguise). Don’t psych yourself out. Remember, you run and race because it’s fun. A wise man told me we can’t bring our marathon times to the next life, so don’t worry too much
6. Expect the unexpected. Sometimes your training can go well, but your race won’t go as planned. Sometimes you fuel perfectly, but your long run blows and you don’t know why. Marathon training is evil like that. Things can go wrong for no clear reason. But, they go right sometimes, too.
7. Soreness is normal, but pain isn’t. I’m not going to give medical advice here. Only your doctor can tell the difference between a nagging discomfort and a true injury. But you know your body. You know what pain is. And true pain is never normal. I should have got my stomach problems checked out earlier this summer. I kept making excuses and kept failing at self-treatment. I beg you to learn from my mistakes You don’t want this to happen, trust me.
8. Training in the summer sucks. But I say the same thing about the winter Embrace the treadmill and the time of day when the weather is the safest. Sure it’s boring running indoors and getting up early isn’t fun, but it sure beats heat exhaustion.
9. Play around with fuel. I avoided GU for the longest time because the consistency weirded me out. Now I regret not trying it earlier in my training. Go to a running a store and stock up on all gels, chews, drinks, and bars and test them out on your long runs. What worked best for you last year may not be the best this training cycle. Happy digesting!
10. Enjoy it while it lasts. Because when training is over, you’ll miss it. You’ll question your purpose in life. You’ll want to sign up for another marathon immediately. You’ll beg marathon-training friends to let you crash their runs. Trust me. You’ll even miss those scary long runs
What has training for any event taught you? Every training cycle is so different. I cannot wait to see what the next one shows me.
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November 5th, 2010 - 11:24
i whole-heartily agree with EVERYTHING! i hated training this summer in the heat, but i think it actually improved my endurance even when it didn’t feel like it.
i’m totally going to take your advice about trying out more fueling options. i’ve been doing gu for over a year now and i’m wondering if maybe something else will be as good or better for me. thanks for the push outside of my comfort zone!
i agree that crosstraining makes a huge huge difference!
can’t wait to see how you implement these new lessons into your next training cylce
November 5th, 2010 - 12:00
Good job on taking a break for 72-hours!! Your body and mind needed it!! I love the 10 things you learned because I could not agree more. Cross-training is so so important! I also completely agree that you should listen to your body first! I think that is the most important thing that I have learned. After a marathon I need to take about two weeks off from running in order to avoid injuries! Great post!!
November 5th, 2010 - 12:08
great post! I, too have realized taking 2 days off after a long run makes my body much happier. I am trying to not put too much pressure on myself but I am nervous about getting in the rest of my long runs, esp with the holidays.
I too have been neglecting cross training and strength training and am trying to get back into it!
November 5th, 2010 - 12:17
First of all, you haven’t worked out in 72 hours and that’s a record?? I kind of feel like a lazy bum haha I actually haven’t done anything but take the pup for a walk since Sunday, and even those haven’t been very long. My legs feel better but I think mentally I just needed a complete break. I’m not gonna lie — it’s felt really good to be lazy.
Annnyway…. I’m glad you’re giving your body a break. I hope you feel rejuvenated this weekend!
And I love this list! As I was reading, I kept nodding my head in full agreement with every point you made. These are the things that make marathon training such a challenging addiction.
I feel like I learn a lot each time I train for a marathon, and I always end up surprising myself (because sometimes even if you know something logically, you don’t always believe it until you do it). I hope these lessons will make the next training cycle even better.
And I will hold you to strength training, if you do the same for me!
I have the worst time sticking with it, especially once my mileage starts getting up there.
November 5th, 2010 - 13:16
Yeah… I think 72 hours off is very well deserved after running a marathon a weekend ago! Relax, repair and let your body get a bit back to “normal” after all it has been through.
Agreed, every major race I train for I learn a few lessons along the way. Even after doing 13 marathons there are still many lessons to learn and some that I have to keep trying to learn.
Like not starting out too fast….. Not trying all the samples at the expo the day before the race…. Eating good recovery foods immediately after the race…. etc.
November 5th, 2010 - 14:29
Good for you for relaxing for a few days. (Not always easy to do).
I have learned to hold back a bit in the beginning of training so that I can see gradual improvement along the way.. I am guilty of going all out in the beginning and then seeing my times actually drop as race day approaches.
November 5th, 2010 - 15:25
My favorite part is how much easier it gets. I remember my first 12 miler at the beginning of training – I was so nervous. And then at the end of training it is a breeze.
This training cycle has taught me the importance of hydration. Since my last marathon training was in the winter I wasn’t so worried about it, but during the summer it is amazing how much better my run is if I have enough gatorade and water.
p.s. Today was the first time I worked out since my race! My legs and brain needed a break too.
November 5th, 2010 - 18:25
I liked all of your lessons learned & tips! In getting on the running/blogging bandwagon this summer, I’ve gotten bitten with the marathon bug! Hopefully I’ll remember all of these as I begin training next spring!
I hated the summer running too! My times have gotten so much faster just as it gets cooler out.
November 5th, 2010 - 19:11
I totally understand #10. I feel almost lost without a plan but I’ve already signed up for a 20k and jumped back into y plan for the half.
November 5th, 2010 - 19:58
First, I am so glad that I am not the only one who needed some serious time off after the marathon. Even when my body felt OK, I wasn’t ready to return to normal for a little while.
The best part about training for the marathon were the new friends I found along the way
I also loved that crazy marathoner perspective I got when 10-12 miles suddenly felt like no big deal.
When we are training through the winter, I will need you to hound me about cross training. I know how important it is, but I can’t seem to get it done. I feel like it may be my biggest problem as a runner right now.
Oh yeah…we need to run together again soon!
November 5th, 2010 - 21:36
these are all really great tips. I think no matter how long you run or how many races you do, there’s always more you can learn from other runners! thanks for this! Hope your next workout is great!
November 5th, 2010 - 23:26
I’m surprised you haven’t signed up for a 3rd marathon in the near future! I liked this post. It was a nice recap of your training that led up the marathon.
I think running a marathon confirmed for me that I truly can do anyting I set my mind to. (such a lame and obvious lesson, but it’s true!)
November 6th, 2010 - 06:26
Awww, I needed a post like this to get my psyched up for tomorrow. Thank you friend!
November 6th, 2010 - 07:23
marathon training taught me that im a lot tougher than i thought i was. plain and simple.
November 6th, 2010 - 07:38
Thank you for this post!! I am getting ready to start training for my first marathon in May and this really helped me a lot!!
November 6th, 2010 - 08:54
Your race photos are really good. See, I told you you’re photogenic. :p
November 6th, 2010 - 13:25
Love it all! Thanks for the tips! You had some great ones on there!! :0)
November 6th, 2010 - 15:38
I took a 72 hour break 3 months ago, and now I only sweat while running to class
November 6th, 2010 - 16:22
I think it’s so important to reflect on what you learned from each training. I agree with all of these but #2 and #3 especially resonate with me. Listening to my body has taken me a long time, but I’m getting better! I attribute my long standing injury-free state to this. As for cross-training, I hardly did any for my first 2 marathons, and when I threw yoga, strength training, elliptical, and biking into the mix, my speed improved dramatically and I felt so much better.
Thanks for reminding us of these important things, Jen!
November 12th, 2010 - 15:52
Your ten points are absolutely spot on from my perspective! Love your blog posts, keep ‘em coming!