Marathon Training

Marathon training can be a daunting task. Many people have said to me, "I could never do that! I can barely run a block!" My reply to them is, "I used to feel the same way!" In fact after finishing my first half I determined I would NEVER do a full marathon because the half was sooooo hard!!! Two years later I finished my first marathon! So much for NEVER!!!

I don't know how many people have ran a marathon and failed. I'm sure there is a good number of people who have. Without the proper training and a mentor or friend to keep you on track most people will NEVER complete a marathon. You have to WANT a marathon! If you don't want to complete a marathon you won't train and training is ESSENTIAL to completing a marathon.

I have had several different running partners over the years. Most people struggle to complete three miles! Three miles is a great accomplishment. It takes about three miles just to warm up your body and get into your running rhythm or what I call "auto pilot". Most people quit before they ever hit three miles because "it's hard". Of course it is hard! Your body is learning something new! Your body needs to become accustomed to running and build it's stamina for running. If you want to run a marathon you need to commit to knowing it is going to be hard, there will be some pain or discomfort, and you will get tired! If running a marathon were easy everyone would do it....and we probably wouldn't be that amazed at the people that did! You don't see people standing around clapping, teary eyed, and handing out medals for people who walked to the end of the street....and why? It's not that amazing! Anyone can do it! We applaud those who accomplish great feats. We applaud them because we know they had to make sacrifices to reach their goals. Check out Dick Hoyt http://www.teamhoyt.com/ If that isn't sacrifice and accomplishing something almost "impossible" I don't know what is. It's amazing what we can do if we put our minds to it!

I remember when I was training for my first marathon and I did the first 20 mile run of my life!!! It was hot. I was in a lot of pain. I had given birth to my first child six months previously and the strain it caused on my body caused me a lot of pain running. My stomach muscles were in pain, my feet hurt, my head hurt. I was so tired I could hardly talk. Negative thoughts set into my brain, "If you can't finish this, you can't finish the marathon. If you feel this bad at 20...how will you ever make it to 26.2?" My mentor, my dad, was with me. He gave me encouragement, "Jess, just keep putting one foot in front of the other and we'll get there." How profound!!! If we just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Don't stop. Don't quit. Don't back track. Just put one foot in front of the other.

Nothing in this life that is worth while is easy. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and eventually you will reach your goals. When you set a goal follow through with the training necessary to reach that goal. It will be hard. People may doubt you. When you are struggling to reach your goal make sure you have the proper examples or friends to lift you up and encourage you. Don't stop. Don't back track. Keep on moving forward and you will get there!