I just finished running my first half marathon and with about 7 weeks left in my Marine Corps Marathon training. As a first time marathoner, responsible for another little human (I’m literally running with Destiny) with the Kyle Pease Foundation, I thought I’d share a few things (there’s a ton) I’ve learned along the way. In no particular order, enjoy.
Running sucks. It really doesn’t get easier, it just gets longer. Weird things start aching, like hips and strange points in your feet and knees. But the feeling you get when finishing a long run gets better and better. Today I had chills for about a mile and a half as the finish approached. It was awesome.
I’m hungry all the time — and that’s saying a lot for a vegan, as I’m usually hungry. I’ve downloaded the MyFitnessPal app (syncs nicely with Garmin Connect) so I can track the 3800 calories a day I’m supposed to be eating…which I’m not BTW.
Laundry, there’s so much damn laundry. It’s a never ending rinse cycle. Boom!
Runch (running lunch) is a thing. Treadmills are great for intervals. If you can sneak to the gym — so you can shower, do it. Then master the I showered 30 minutes ago and I’m still sweating face.
Atlanta is hilly. Turns out, I hate the hills. I managed to find 2 flat areas I run at pretty consistently, and both are 20-ish minutes from my house. The first is along the Chattahoochee River in Roswell, GA on Riverside Rd and the other is the Silver Comet in Smyrna, GA. The Comet goes all the way to Alabama and I’m pretty sure I’ve crossed the border once or twice.
Long runs on the weekend take up a lot of time. I’d prefer a buddy, but I’m able to run on my own schedule and it’s not terrible. Friends and fam are always just a call away if I get real bored or need to catch up. Needless to say, I’ve developed a new Sunday routine.
I’m on my second pair of shoes. I love my Newton’s but as I ran more, my feet just couldn’t recover and I was always uncomfortable. Currently in my old Hoka’s, thinking of getting Altras or a new pair of Hoka’s. They’re great.
I’m in love with my Garmin 235. It’s kind of gross, almost Facebook official gross. Everything I need — wrist heart rate, smart notifications, about a week’s worth of battery per charge. I only take it off to charge it. But just a quick note — only holds about 6–7 weeks of training on the watch itself. It took me 3 days to figure out how to get the rest of my plan on my watch. (Connect watch to computer, open the files, delete the .fit files and then re-sync training calendar)
It’s crazy, but heart rate training is frustratingly awesome. I run slow, testing my patience with the hills (this is why I hate the hills). I often run so slow in these long Z2 (121–120 bpm) runs that I could just walk and get there faster. With that, I’ve never run further or longer. So, it works.
Avocados are money. They have about 230 calories each, perfect when sliced, lightly salted and stuffed in a zip lock bag that lives in the fanny pack I’ve been wearing. Easy on the stomach and super easy (and cheap) to include on long runs (I also toss in some vegan wafers and Nuun in my water bottle to help).
Phone, keys, nutrition, water… a fanny pack is clutch. Remember, when the sun sneaks away and it’s dark before you’re finished on those evening runs, your phone has a flashlight. Also, that pocket in your shorts can fit more than you think, like your phone.
I sweat way more than I thought I would. Like a gross amount. It’s gross. Training in the south and not being a morning person doesn’t mix well or last long.
I’ve committed to only drinking once a week. Not like it’s a huge deal, but I like to throw back a tasty local beer from time to time. It is however hindering my social life.
^This was going great until I moved, skipped a weekend of runs and celebrated the new digs. Leading to the next lesson learned, don’t sweat the small stuff (pun totally intended) and just get back out there.
The Tim Ferris Show and the Power Run (Hip Hop and Trap) Spotify playlist are game changers for getting focused and getting lost. Find something you’re interested in and maybe learn a thing or two. Three hour runs go by much quicker when I’m focused on something other than my leg hurting or that I have to pee.
You’re going to get rained on. It’ll suck. If you’re already running, don’t turn back. You’ll have that entire way back of rain and it’ll probably end before you get there. Just keep running, it’ll stop… eventually.
Justin and I at our first race — crushing it
Probably the biggest thing I’ve learned all along is it’s not about me at all. I’m running for Destiny. It feels great and I feel super accomplished with how far I’ve come, but really, it’s about inclusion and making sure that no matter what everyone should know what it feels like to cross the finish line. If you’ve liked my list of marathon training thoughts, or if you want to do your part in helping spread our message of inclusion, please donate to my fundraising page!