How to run a marathon

In the famous words of Barney Sintson-

"This is how you run a marathon. Step one: Start running. 

There is no step 2."

Ha! Running is essentially the most important aspect of running a marathon. But if you want to make it a positive experience, then there is so much more that you will want to consider when planning to run  a marathon. (If you have seen the whole episode then you know what happens to Barney AFTER he runs a marathon with no training. It's halarious!)

I have ran 2 marathons. I have ran a few half's as well, but once you start running fulls I don't see the point of counting hal'fs because you run more then that during training. But anyways, I'm no professional. I run a modest pace that I am working at improving every year, and I am by no means a gear junkie. Which most runners are. I'm more like a runner in the 80's, when people started to figure out what running was.

"Veronica and I are trying this new fad called jogging. I believe its 'jogging' or 'yogging', it might be a soft 'J', I'm not sure. But apparently you just run for an extended period of time." - 

I think this quote describes my running style best. 

"I began the run I thought I'd never make like every other—after a kale-and-beet-juice slammer and a high-rep core workout in inversion boots. Okay, okay. I fished out some socks from the hamper and sniffed through a few shirts until I found one I could stand. I took a swig from the faucet and stuffed a handful of the previous night's popcorn into my mouth and hit the road—so, same thing." - 

So far for the 2 marathons I did I have ran in regular old white cotton socks, and a tank top I got from the thrift store and various types of running shorts that always seem disappointing. When you are running you have a lot of time to calculate stuff, and some of the costs of the outfits I see amazes me. But hey, if that's your thing. 

The most important step to running a marathon... is the first one. Literally.

Barney had it right in the sense that to run a marathon you actually have to run it. And running is essentially step over step. You can't just THINK about running a marathon, pin about running a marathon, tweet about running a marathon... but not actually run. Before a marathon will ever happen you have to put in the effort and hard work of taking the first step.

Chances are that if you take that first step and see just how hard it can be, a marathon will feel like the most unattainable, far out dream that you ever did dream. Lots of people get the mindset, oh if I can run 6 miles, whats another 20.2? I'll just keep going. 

Unfortunately our bodies don't work that way. I wish they did. If you don't put in the hard work of training for a marathon, chances are you won't finish, and you'll end up like Barney at the end of the show, stuck on the subway for hours unable to use your legs. But I promise you if you just keep running, you eventual see the light at the end of the tunnel.

You know that saying, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Because training for one takes time. It's hard, yet it's wonderful. It will suck you up and spit you out like a wet rag. It will challenge you in a way you have never been challenged and it will change your life. You will hate every minute of the race, and as soon as your done ask when you can do it again. 

So how do you run a marathon? 

Don't just make the decision to take the first step. Actually do it. 

I'll post some practical advice later. Cause that's always helpful. :)

Happy running!!