So you want to run a marathon?

Little did Phidippides know that in 490 BC after running the 26 miles from Marathon to Athens and then gasping his last breath that he’d be a trend-setter for centuries to come!

The marathon is the premier long-term goal of runners, joggers, and aspiring fitness enthusiasts. The lure of this pinnacle accomplishment has attracted thousands of runners every year to run the 26.2 mile race. But the Phidippides myth and fear of the unknown has also held back many would-be marathoners from completing an awesome lifetime accomplishment.

If running a marathon is on your long-term to-do list, please don’t worry about the length of the race. It really is a doable task if you prepare and plan properly for it. It’s also a tremendous confidence booster and a very fun memorable event. The energy of the crowd, the multitude of other runners, and the knowledge that you prepared for the race will carry you through. A marathon is nothing more than a challenge - a challenge that you can accomplish no matter how old you are (there are many people in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s that complete marathons!).

You should see the boost of confidence and self-esteem that many of the kids on my Cross-Country team get just by working up to running 1 mile. For them, they have forged a new path and conquered the unknown. Once they worked up to this goal and surpassed it, their attitudes changed into a belief that they could accomplish anything. You can certainly do the same.

Think of all the ‘new things’ in life that you were once apprehensive about…school, working, driving, relationships, etc… The skills that you have today were honed over weeks, months and even years of trials, errors, and accomplishments. And every one of these abilities that you now view as strengths was once a ‘new venture’. You can run a marathon, if you want to. It’ll take some time and dedication, but you can certainly fit it into even the busiest of schedules. It’s worth it – just for the boost of self-confidence and self-respect alone. You’ll also have a blast doing it! The running community is full of energetic and kind people that will encourage you through the process. Running will give you many things in terms of better physical health, but you’ll also get some quality self-reflection time on those long runs. My running time has helped me sort out many of life’s daily stresses and problems. There’s nothing like running around your neighborhood, in the woods, along a stream, or through a field to relax your mind, body and soul. After you run a marathon, you’ll look back fondly on the months of training. That’s the true accomplishment – the training itself. The 26.2-mile race is just the pinnacle of a mountain of preparation.

If this is a goal that you want to accomplish, I would highly recommend that you pursue it. Getting started is always the hard part, so here are some tips to help you along the way:

• Get a check-up
  If you haven’t been running regularly and this training plan will be a significant change to your daily lifestyle, make sure you check in with your doctor. This visit will not only give you some helpful advice, it will also document your ‘starting point’. You’ll really enjoy looking at those ‘old’ pre-marathon numbers someday ;-)



• Take out the calendar
  Pick your goal race which should be no sooner than 6 months away. Write it down. If your maximum long-run distance in the last month was less than 3 miles, try this 10-week plan to get you started. If you can comfortably run 3 miles, try this 20-week marathon training plan to help prepare you for the big race. If you have more than 20 weeks to prepare, I would recommend increasing your long runs to a maximum long run of 24-26 miles 3 weeks before race day. That extra mileage will give you a physiological and mental edge during the race.



• Pick a realistic goal
  If this is your first marathon, picking your goal pace can be a bit tricky. I would try to do a 5k race during the course of your training. Use this time and your own judgment to set your goal pace. With the help of a race prediction calculator, you’ll be able to refine your goal pace.



• Allow yourself time to get there
  There are many training plan templates that can range from 16-weeks to 6-months to run your first marathon. I would err on the side of more preparation and give yourself some time to build up your mileage. Too aggressive of a goal can lead to undue stress and even injury. Take your time and you’ll have a great overall experience!

Too often in life we over-analyze our decisions and miss out on some wonderful opportunities. If you want to run a marathon, seize the opportunity and start your plan. Jump in with both feet ;-)…you’ll be so glad that you did. You can find marathon tools, tips, training plans, and much more on The Fitness Motivator website. Best of luck in pursuit of your dreams!