26 lessons from marathon training
about life, self, running, and everything in between while i barely survive
I must admit, I am quite ready for this training to be over. Although I say I will never sign up for a distance race again after every single race, here I am once again. This time around training, among the other chaos of life, has fully set me up for a frazzled english woman fall. (thanks, i think?) Regardless, it has left me very little time to rot & read/write as the demand for miles has increased, and consequently taken my freetime.
So in honor of peak week (finally!) and my lack of time to overshare my deepest, darkest thoughts, here are the lessons I have learned while training for a marathon:
You are much stronger than you think: When you think you’re at your limit, you still have more in you. Trust that strength. Every time you lace up, you prove to yourself just how resilient you can be.
It really is all in your head: Your mindset can make or break your run. Learn to quiet the thoughts & break up your run into manageable segments
There can’t be good day without bad days: The rough runs are inevitable, but they’re what make the good ones feel even more rewarding. Without the lows, you wouldn’t appreciate the highs.
You are what you eat: Figuratively & literally. Food isn’t just fuel—it’s what powers your performance, your recovery, and your mood. This goes for what your mind consumes too.
Discipline takes you much farther than motivation: Training sucks when you also have to deal with life. Motivation won’t always be there. Show up, even on the days you don’t feel like it.
Patience is power: Big goals take time. Be patient with the process, because lasting progress comes with consistent, steady effort.
Be present: Focus on the mile your in, not the miles passed or the miles to come. Focus on yourself, how you feel. Every run, every step, deserves your full attention, and the journey is much richer when you’re in the moment.
Hills will make you stronger: Embrace the hills in training and in life—they’re shaping you into something greater.
Consistency > Perfection: Not every run will be perfect, you’ll miss days, but know that’s okay. Try again the next day. Progress comes from steady, consistent effort.
Speed isn’t everything: Stay in your lane. Trust yourself. Training slowly than you race is normal & helps prevent injuries and burnout.
There are no shortcuts: Real success comes from putting in the work, day in and day out. There’s no magic formula, just commitment and perseverance.
Celebrate the small things: Every little victory matters. Whether it’s a new distance, faster pace, or simply lacing up on a hard day—celebrate your progress. Some of my proudest moments are days even putting on my shoes seemed hard.
Be your own biggest cheerleader: No one else can believe in you the way you can. There will always be someone who doubts you, wants to see you fail, etc. Be there for you when no one else will. Truth is, a lot of people don’t care how many miles you ran that morning.
Gratitude changes everything: Running is a privilege. It’s a privilege to be in good health, to live somewhere safe enough to run, to have access to treadmills, to have the time to train. Don’t take the smallest things for granted because it is not something everyone can afford.
Rest is important: Rest is where the magic happens. It’s the time your body rebuilds and gets stronger. And sometimes, unplanned rest days are necessary.
“If you think you can or you can’t, you’re right”: Your belief in yourself sets the tone for everything. If you believe you can, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you won’t.
Not everything is in your control: You can’t control the weather, the terrain, or how your body feels on a given day. You can’t predict every factor that will affect your runs or your life. Easier said than done, but focus on what you can control—your effort and your attitude.
Comparison is the enemy of success: Comparing yourself to others only distracts you from your progress. Again, stay in your lane. Maybe they have worked towards this for years or maybe this is their first run. You never know what someone else may be going through just by looking at them.
If it was easy, everyone would do it: The difficulty is what makes it special. Embrace the challenge—and enjoy the bragging rights ;) Embracing difficulty helps you build resilience and character, reminding you that hard work is the key to success.
Giving your all doesn’t always look the same: Some days, your best might mean pushing your limits; other days, it’s just showing up. Life & training aren’t muttually exclusive. Both count, and both matter. Recognizing that your capacity can vary allows you to honor where you are in your journey without judgment.
Life isn’t meant to be so serious: Don’t take it (or yourself) too seriously. Laugh & enjoy the journey. You won’t be able to do this forever.
Success requires sacrifices: You’ll have to give up comfort, time, and indulgences. But the reward is worth every bit of sacrifice. Recognizing what you’re willing to sacrifice helps clarify your priorities.
You’re allowed to be proud: It’s okay to stop and acknowledge how far you’ve come. Celebrate yourself and all the hard work you’ve put in, no matter you pace, the miles, etc.
Take time to listen and learn: Listen to your body, coaches, and fellow runners. There’s always more to learn, and it’ll make you stronger in the long run.
There is room for everyone at the finish line: Everyone’s path looks different, but we all have a place at the end. Cheer others on, knowing their success doesn’t diminish yours.
The journey is the reward: When you cross that finish line and the medal is in your hands. It’s not the race you remember the most, but the weeks of preparation you put in, so make them count & don’t forget to enjoy it.
It has been a long summer in brutal heat, but it has also been one of the most rewarding. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t tear up just a smidge writing this. No matter what goals you have, or where you’re starting from, I promise you that if you are willing to put in the work now, one day you will be so proud to see how far you’ve come. Running has taught me so much about myself & has gotten me through some of the lowest points in my life.
Tips I wish someone told me when I first started*:
strength train, strength train, strength train. I can’t emphasize this enough. It will help increase speed, indurance, & prevent injuries
make sure you’re properly hydrating. If you’re a perpetually dehydrated girly like me, this one can be so tough but makes all the difference. Do your research on what works best for you. Personally, I aim for about 24oz/~7L per hour
fueling is important. making sure you’re eating enough will help you so much in the long run
Join a run club if you enjoy training with others! It’s a great way to meet friends (or hot singles) and there’s typically a variety of paces
Don’t be ashamed to walk. There are so many runs I would have never made it thorugh without walk/running it. If Jeff Galloway can do it, so can you.
You don’t need all the gadets and latest and greatest and fancy fuel. A comfortable & supportive pair of shoes & some rice crispy treats/gummy candy can take you a long way
*I am not a doctor or professional so please take with a grain of salt, but this is a good start
I am always down to talk about running, so please feel free to reach out <3
Love this! I’m starting my training block next month for marathon number two and this has me feeling all sorts of giddy — good luck!