Running a marathon is one of the toughest and most demanding sporting events. It requires not only physical strength but also a lot of mental stamina and perseverance. In fact, many people who sign up don’t do it because they don’t think they could finish. In short, they can’t keep their motivation going till the end. And preparing for a marathon alone is even more challenging.
Our team member, Courtney, will soon run the amazing Marine Corp Marathon. So, we decided to do a two-part series for our readers. This time it’s about preparing for a marathon alone. There were two marathon runners last time we wrote about our teammate. Not this time. Still, we hope Courtney’s thoughts about preparing alone will give you some insights.
Our next article will be postrace, scheduled for November. And in this two-part series, we share thoughts and ideas about preparing for a marathon on your own.
Training alone for a marathon is tougher
Let’s start with what Courtney had to say about training for a marathon alone.
Training alone is harder than with a team or friend. I could always call/text with Angela and discuss how our runs went or how the weather was. Even discussing strategies regarding how we would fuel during the run. Meaning that we talked about all the products we tried and what we liked and disliked. Heck, I even bought sneakers from her that she didn’t like; they were too “squishy” for her. Lol
Running a marathon isn’t easy and requires great mental strength. There will be moments when things get challenging. If you ever ran a marathon alone, you probably share Courtney’s thoughts. More from Courtney’s experience:
When I hit the “wall,” which is real, by the way, she taught me about Tailwind to use during my long runs to help “fuel” and “feed” me during those hours of training, including food. Either gels or actual food.
Now, since Brian (Angela’s husband) and Angela aren’t running, I don’t have anyone to lean on when these runs get hard, or I think I don’t have to really run this because no one is relying on me to finish. I have to push myself harder since I’m not running with anyone who is depending on me. I never wanted to miss a run. I felt they relied on me to do my runs well so we could all finish. Especially Angela. I thought we leaned on and relied on each other to help each other reach this goal.
Even if you don’t have anyone to train with, you can still prepare for a marathon with the right attitude. Let’s explore a few tips to help you prepare for a marathon alone.
Find the joy of running and build on it
If you’ve never been a runner, chances are you’re not going to start loving it immediately! Many people expect to suddenly fall in love with running once they start training for a marathon. But running isn’t something you can force yourself to like. Your goal should be to find the joy of running, not to fall in love with running.
You need to understand that some people are naturally predisposed to enjoy running. But others just don’t have any interest in it. Still, as long as you’re physically able to run, you can make running a joyful activity for yourself. It all comes down to finding the right way to train and doing it consistently.
Set small, achievable goals
Preparing for a marathon is a long-term goal. Therefore, it’s normal to feel demotivated during your training. Setting smaller, more achievable goals along the way is essential. When you’re training alone, it helps to set goals you can achieve without depending on anyone else.
It’s essential to also set goals for yourself to stay healthy, fit, and motivated. For instance, you can aim to run a certain distance by a particular time or date. Or you can commit to running for a certain number of days in a week. Also, you can commit to eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep. Or you could do some other exercise (such as stretching or strength training) in addition to running.
Goal of running a marathon alone
Running a marathon is a great goal to set for yourself. If you want to join a marathon and have never run that distance, it’s best to start by running smaller distances. This way, you’ll prepare your body for the challenge and avoid getting injured and pushing yourself too far. It’ll help you gradually build your stamina before signing up for a marathon.
As Courtney’s story highlights, if you have ever tried preparing for a marathon alone, it isn’t easy. Still, it’s not impossible. And it could be one of the highlights of your life once you pass through the finish line. Stay tuned to this blog to learn more tips for marathoning alone. The second part in the series will get posted in November after our team champion completes the Marine Corp Marathon!
After you successfully run your marathon, think of recycling your sneakers with the Sneakers For Good program. Raise funds for a good cause you care about and help the planet.
© 2022 Sneakers4Good. All Rights Reserved.
