3 Things I’m Learning From Marathon Training

I signed up for my first ever marathon set for this fall  thinking it would be a great physical challenge… but it is teaching me more about myself than I could have imagined.

Here are 3 things I’m learning from marathon training:

1. Discipline: Staying set to my training schedule has been the biggest challenge for me. The discipline of prioritizing a run over fun summer plans, or running on a rainy day so you don’t fall behind schedule, are just some of the situations I have found myself in that have swayed me off of track. What I have learned thus far is even on a day where I don’t feel like lacing up and heading out for a long run, putting in even just a few kilometres keeps me disciplined and proves to myself my commitment to do something towards my goal (even if it's small). A lot of a little will compound over time if you stick to it.

2. Sleep + Food = success: Two of the most important functions for our daily life, yet two of the first things we disregard. Sleep and food. Getting enough sleep every night seems like a big ask when we have so much to do and so little time. However, on nights where I’ve turned the lights out early and gotten my 7.5-8 hours, I am more energized and productive the next day to the point where I get what I need to do PLUS having energy for my run. When I don’t get enough sleep, every activity becomes a chore and the last scheduled activity of the day (typically my runs) don’t happen. 

 Additionally, to keep UP that energy throughout the day, food becomes the fuel to keep riding the well rested wave. Eating whole and easily digestible nutritious foods is the key to restoring and energizing my body so that I can actually accomplish everything I set out to do. I also end up not snacking as much when I am eating more protein heavy meals, contributing to me being full for longer and not feeling as sluggish for a run. You can’t drive without fuel in the tank!

3. Rest is part of training: I know we’ve all heard the saying, ‘Slow down to speed up’. This could not be more true, literally and metaphorically for running. Rest is part of my training plan. If I can’t rest and rejuvenate after a long run, I risk injury and will set myself back in the long run. Running is intense on the body, and rest is the secret formula to consistency and longevity so I can continue to train for such an intense activity. Rest does not mean stopping training, rest means that the training has time to positively impact my body, so I can see the benefits of my hard work in action. (now time to  translate this rest thing in my work/life balance)