Me and my training partner, Lisa, are blog swapping today. So head over to Lisa’s blog to see my eerily similar post. (We didn’t plan to post on the exact same topic – I swear!!)
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Hey everyone! It’s Lisa of Lisa’s Yarns, aka Amber’s marathon training partner! While this is my 2nd marathon, it feels like my first since it has been 4 years since I ran my first marathon. Last time around, I did not have a training partner so it has been wonderful to have someone to share the journey with.
I feel like all I do is run or think about running. It’s on my mind non-stop, but I try to not to talk about it too much as I understand that it’s not nearly as interesting to everyone else as it is to me.
If you do wonder what marathon training is like, though, here is the good, the bad, and the ugly of marathon training, bullet point style!
The Good
- Marathon training tests your body and shows you how much mental strength you really do have. Completely these training runs is as much a mental battle as it is a physical battle – but it’s so rewarding to write down the mileage at the end of the week and see how much you have accomplished1
- Carb loading! I’m not far enough into training to really do much carb loading, but we are approaching the point where it will be important to load up on carbs the night before a long training run. I’m a sucker for a huge bowl of pasta or rice so I love that I have an excuse to help myself to a generous portion.
The Bad
- I won’t lie – it is really tough to balance work, training, and a social life. Marathon training means saying no to happy hours. It means getting up at 5 to do a run before going to work (I am not a morning person so that is the biggest struggle for me). It’s not always easy to juggle my schedule, but I know it’s important to find time for my training runs – otherwise I will pay for it on race day.
- It’s kind of painful. When you push your body to run 15+ miles at a time, you are going to feel it the next day. There are things you can do to minimize the pain, like ice baths, stretching, and hydrating, but its inevitable that you will have some discomfort along the way.
The Ugly
- My feet have done pretty well so far, but I do have some blisters and my calluses get worse and worse every day. I will spare you the photos but let’s just say, there is going to be a whole lots of chatter from the nail technician if/when I go in for a pedicure this summer/fall.
- Chafing. I am usually good about applying body glide, but sometimes in my rush to run out the door, I forget to apply it to certain areas – like the edge of my sports bra. I made this mistake last week and had a lovely half circle of chafing that scarred for a few days. That looked just lovely.
Even with the bad and the ugly side of marathon training, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. I remind myself every day that I am so lucky that I am healthy enough to run and train for this event – and I hope and pray that Amber and I continue to have a healthy training season.
11 weeks from today, I will fly into Vancouver to meet Amber and start our journey to the finish line! Just thinking about that gives me chills. I am so excited to meet Amber face-to-face and share the marathon experience with her!
Have you ever considered running a marathon or doing another endurance event such as a triathlon?
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Still can’t believe we both did a ‘good/bad/ugly’ approach to this post without discussing that!!! I wish I could have seen the look on your face when you opened my post! Too funny!
Looking forward to continuing to share this journey with you!!1
I have so much admiration for you two and how determined and strong you both are. 15+ miles at a time to me is incredible!
I’m so excited for you guys, you’re going to have such an incredible race experience! It sounds like training is going really well, I can’t wait to hear all about the race its self
That’s awesome that you guys are running together! I’ve seen both of you mention being training partners, but I thought you meant virtually and didn’t realize you were running the same race! Have fun!
I’m so excited for you two! (And totally jealous you get to meet!) Keep up the hard work!!!
Lisa,
) The ONLY thing I remember about crossing the finish in TC marathon was you being the 1st person I saw taking my chip (you were volunteering). Meant so much to have you there!!
I am praying and thinking of you often and hoping for a successful and safe marathon training!! Wish I could cheer you on in Portland and give you a big hug at the finish line (before you collapse
If you find a sports bra that works to not give those chaffing lines/scars/sores – you should let me know!!
Happy training! You rock
It sounds like you really have to be on top of things when you are pushing your body to an extreme. Way to keep at it! I’m looking forward to hearing how hard you two rock the marathon
You are both such amazing individuals. I love that you have each other to share this journey with and that you’re sharing it with us. Wish I could be along the race route cheering you both on!
That is so awesome that you and Amber are sticking with each other through the whole marathon training process! Are you planning on running the race side by side as well?
I have to say, you seem like a morning person to me =) I’m always impressed when I see emails/BBMs and comments from you before 8am each day! Carb loading… I wonder what my excuse is!? (hahaha)
I will say, I have become more of a morning person – esp since I started marathon training. I can not sleep in on the weekends anymore – even when I try, I am up and wide awake at 6 a.m….
And yah, I totally carb load all the dang time, regardless of whether I am doing a double digit run the next day or not…
The mind game! I can totally understand it. My entire runs are just mind games and I have to literally tell myself to keep going because the pain is not killing me. I read this one CaitlinHTP’s blog one day where she told herself during a run, “It’s OK to be uncomfortable. It’s OK to be uncomfortable.” I say this all the time now. It helps!
This was cute to read both if yours! it is nice to have someone else to train with even if it is long distance! Running, even when not training for a marathon is hard to balance with work and life in general! You girls are doing great!
I would do a minni triathlon to start, as I have never done anything like it before. I would LOVE to be able to run a marathon or do a triathlon, but so far, I don’t enjoy running – and I have tried to like it.
My hubby is doing a half ironman in just over a week!! I am very excited for him!!
Lisa, loved hearing your thoughts about marathon training. I concur with most of them. My feet are horrible pretty much year round, but they definitely have a few more blisters and calluses on them right now. Can’t wait to hear what they say when I get a pedicure in a few weeks. They always try to take off all the callus and I have to tell them not to take all of it bc my feet need it. It is amazing what the body can do when trained to do it! Some non runner friends tell me “I could NEVER do that.” I just say “yeah, you could. It would take a lot of work and motivation, but you could do it.” Nice work!
Great post, Lisa! I’ve never run a marathon but I plan on it some day. I once saw a marathoner wearing a sign on the back of his shirt: “I thought this was a good idea three months ago.” I laughed because I even have those feelings in 5ks and half marathons (well, more during a half) so I can only imagine my thoughts during a marathon!
How cool that you girls have eachother to workout with!
great minds think alike
I think time would be a huge problem if I were to ever train for a marathon, it’s sooo time consuming- especially if like you said, you aren’t really a morning person. I think it will be worth it in the end though- you guys will have so much fun that day and be so proud of yourselves! So wish I could be there!
Currently I can’t even run a mile, so thinking about a marathon is a far off dream.