What is a marathon?
According to Emily Abbate, a contributor to Runner’s World magazine, only 0.5 percent of the United States population has run a full marathon. For some people, being in this elite group of only 0.5 percent is one of the sole reasons why they choose to tackle such a feat. Some people are wired to want to be different than others or accomplish more than the average person does. This is not to be better than others, but a way to feel a sense of accomplishment within themselves. Running a full marathon is one of these ways. How long is a full marathon? 26.2 miles.
Among the people who consider themselves runners, 50 percent of them have never tried a full marathon. Another statistic to note is that the average time to complete a full marathon over a 20-year period has been between 4 hours 15 minutes and 4 hours 40 minutes. It was interesting that only around 80 percent of people, who start running a marathon, make it to the finish line. The Boston Marathon has the highest percentage of finishers with 97 percent.
Can anyone run a marathon? Yes! So, why don’t more people?
How do you train for a marathon?
You certainly should have some running experience under your belt before training for a marathon. I was probably considered a beginner when I decided to run a full marathon but had run enough to begin marathon training. Jeff Gaudette, a writer for Active.com, defines a beginner in the following way, “a beginner is someone who has been running consistently for less than two years, or who averages less than 20-25 miles per week.” I had been running fairly consistently for probably two years.
My opinion is that anyone can run a full marathon, but you MUST train. I trained for four months. There are running plans all over the internet that you can use. Runner’s World had a good one, and that is what I used to train for the two marathons I did. It is vital to follow the plan exactly! You can find running plans on active.com.
What is the most essential item you need for training?
Technology has come a long way since I trained for my marathons. One must have item for training is either the FitBit Versa Watch, which is on sale on Amazon, or the Apple Watch Series 3. If you do not care to read your texts on your watch and don’t mind running with your phone for GPS, the FitBit Alta HR is a good option. It’s on sale on Amazon Prime Days which are July 15-16! These watches keep up with your mileage, heart rate, calories burned, and MANY other things.
Should you run one in your hometown or do a destination marathon?
Mississippi Blues Marathon–my hometown marathon
Both! I suggest running your first one in your hometown or close to it. Here’s why: recovering in your own bed after the race sure is nice. Plus, since most friends and family know that you have been busy training for four months or more, they can come to cheer you on at the end of the race. You will need the encouragement!
I ran the inaugural Mississippi Blues Marathon in Jackson, Mississippi for my first one. This was in January of 2008, and I finished around 4 hours and 30 minutes.
This marathon is nice because it’s not super crowded. Also, there is blues music along the way. The only negative is that there are potholes on lots of the Jackson streets, so you need to watch the road closely while you run.
Rock N Roll Marathon in San Diego–my destination marathon
For the second marathon that you do, I suggest choosing a fun destination. This serves as an added motivation for you. This is important because now that you know what completed a marathon is like, you may need a little more motivation to do it again.
I’ve heard it said, “No one runs a marathon because it’s fun.” This is certainly true in most ways.
I chose the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon for my second and destination marathon. My husband ran this one with me around May 30 or 31, 2009. I didn’t train as hard for this one and finished a little slower; however, I can’t remember the exact time.
My aunt and uncle lived out there, so we enjoyed seeing them while we there.
May Gray/June Gloom
The only drawback to going there at that time was what the locals call May Gray/June Gloom. It was cloudy the whole time we were there. There should be some disclaimer on their website that yes, the temperatures aren’t bad, but for those who want to enjoy sunny California prior to the race, you can enjoy it while it’s gray outside, and kind of cold.
Incidentally, we found out from our taxi drivers (we didn’t Uber back then) and have since confirmed it through research that during this time of the year, a layer of marine stratus darkens the skies. It’s cloudy most of the day, with occasional hazy afternoon sun. The number of gloomy days varies each year, but from May 1-June 30, the locals expect it. I later researched it and found out there were 23 gloomy days that year during the two month period.
Maybe we were just oblivious, and “everyone” knows about this, but we didn’t. I do think they should make information on this weather phenomenon more visible on their website. We Mississippians were clueless.
My experience
Training to run a full marathon
Since it the one I remember the most, I will focus mainly on my first marathon training. I trained for four months in the fall. I ran my long runs for the most part in my neighborhood and some in another neighborhood close-by. Around Thanksgiving, we traveled to Callaway Gardens in Georgia, so I did my long training run there. It’s gorgeous there running on the trails. The longest that my plan had me ever run was 20 miles. I think that is fairly common. So, basically, the day of the race, you haven’t run over 20 miles but are supposed to run 26.2 that day.
The race
If you have a certain time goal in mind, you can run with someone who is called a pacer. A pacer runs with a sign that states the time that those who run with him or her should finish the race. Some people like to run with the pacer in order to meet their time goal. I, personally, have not used a pacer.
After the race, I realized why most plans don’t have you run more than 20 miles while training. I have no proof of this, but I think it’s because you wouldn’t continue the training or run the race! The last six miles of a marathon are TERRIBLE!
However, I do not advise walking during the last six miles. I tried that briefly and realized that my legs hurt just as bad when I was walking. Running gets you to the finish line faster than walking, so considering the pain is the same, run the last six miles for sure!!! By the end, it felt like needles poking into me every time I put my foot down for the next step.
After the race, the volunteers wrap a silver, foil blanket around you to help regulate your body temperature. Your body temperature will drop quickly because you are no longer working your muscles.
After the race
After the initial runner’s high had worn off, I slept the rest of the afternoon. We went to a friend’s house for dinner that night. I was very sore for the next few days, and going downstairs hurt worse than going upstairs.
Something I do remember from the San Diego race was that we were laid up in the hotel room all afternoon. I took a bath when we got back to the hotel and then slept most of the rest of the day. We were able to hobble to dinner that night. That marathon is actually where I remember going up and down stairs hurting the most.
The future
If this is making you want to run, there are 9 easy ways to become a runner. Although I do like to be in the 0.5 percenter category, I do not have plans to run another one anytime soon. Abbate has some great tips in her article in Runner’s World about marathon training basics. If you are a Goal-Oriented Runner, I highly recommend setting aside four months to train and running a full marathon! You won’t regret it.
What are some of your memories of your marathon? Do you have any questions on how to get started with marathon training? Please comment below.
