3 Lessons from Marathon Training

I’ve never been an athlete. I’m not competitive and until very recently, really hated sweating. Except, I love running. And last year, I ran a marathon.

TRUST, it’s shocking to me, too. 

For months, it felt like I was watching myself live my life from outside my body. I craved structure. And truthfully, I wanted to feel more alive. Enter – marathon training. Nothing will make you feel more than putting your body through some paces. The lessons that marathon training taught me are ones that transcend “sport” – they’re for life. 

Resting is Okay 

It took me roughly 30 years to accept that resting allows us to do our best and hardest work. Rest is not “earned” or “deserved.” It’s vital to success. I’m a recovering people pleaser, “busy chaser” and over-achiever. Rest was something that came as a reward after all the work. But, running 40+ miles in a week requires SO MUCH REST. Not only did my body need rest and recovery to run so much, but my soul needed it to be able to show up in other areas of my life. Running is my love, but it’s not my entire life. 

Slow and Steady

When I first started training, I couldn’t run around the block. If running around the block felt hard, how on earth would I run 26.2? I HAD TO SLOW DOWN. This shift in pace was particularly humbling as most people would pass, or even lap, me. However, slowing down allowed me to develop a more sustainable running habit. Something I could do for my whole life. When we slow down and think about our actions and choices, we’re better able to determine if they really serve us.

I’m Braver Than I Think

Last but not least, I am brave. The best thing that training for a marathon taught me, was that I was capable of doing something hard. It’s not that I haven’t done hard things before – I have. But continuing to show up for myself, run after run, built up my confidence in a way that I’ve never experienced. I started showing up more fully in other areas of my life. And after so much time feeling like I was on autopilot, what a dang gift.

Crossing that finish line was one of my proudest moments. But, it was just the beginning. I’ve signed up for another marathon in December, this time in California. And if there’s anything I’ll carry with me into this next training cycle, I hope it’s this: I know myself, I trust myself and I can do hard things.