I am halfway through Hal Higdon’s Novice 1 Marathon Training Program. The training program consists of 4 weekly runs: 1 long run, 2 short runs, and 1 mid-week long-ish run. I started the training the week of April 27th. Although I was pretty fit, I did not have much running experience when I started. I could reliably run 3 miles and could push to 6 miles. After 9 weeks in the program, I have run 176 miles, can reliably run 7 miles and can push up to a half marathon, and average > 20 miles/week.
I mostly started because (1) I was bored with workout videos, and (2) I thought a training program/goal would give structure to my workouts.
My major takeaways thus far:
I mostly started because (1) I was bored with workout videos, and (2) I thought a training program/goal would give structure to my workouts.
My major takeaways thus far:
- Training for a marathon is so much more than just checking off the 4 weekly runs. When I started the program, it seemed like 4 weekly runs was going to be easy to manage, even though the runs themselves would be hard. I’ve learned that it requires a ton of dedication outside of those runs to be successful: nutrition, cross training and stretching, sleep & time. For example, I do strength training workouts 3x/week and yoga 1x/week to help prevent injury.
- Mental toughness is key. Mental toughness comes into play in so many ways. It’s what keeps me going when I can’t get into the groove of a run. It’s what gets me out the door when I am tired. It’s also what slows me down when I need to recover or pace myself over a long distance. It’s what helps me rest and take days off.
- Trust the process - you can run a lot farther than you think! Honestly, every week I doubt that I will be able to complete the next week’s long run. Right now, I am staring down the barrel of a 15 mile run Saturday, and it’s … intimidating . But that’s how I felt about 8 miles, 10 miles, 13 miles, etc, etc. When I crossed the finish line of my first 7 mile run, I thought there was no way I’d be able to run an inch further the next week. But it never fails! That hope is what keeps me going week over week.
- The long runs are usually (& unexpectedly) my most fun runs of the week. It’s exciting to run the farthest you’ve ever run, and usually my expectations for the long runs are rock bottom anyways. Conversely, it requires the most discipline to finish the last short run of the week since those are mundane, and I am usually pretty tired by the end of the week.
- [Worked well] Having a running buddy! Having someone to talk to during a 2.5 hour run can make it so much more fun.
- [Worked well] Finding fun places to run! I live in Seattle, & I use long runs as a way to explore different parts of the city!
- [Do differently] Do not wait till you’re injured to be intentional about injury prevention. Start stretching and basic strength training right away. I like these videos a lot.
- [Do differently] Avoid chafing at all costs. It sucks.