Biggest Lessons from Completing My First Marathon
I’ve been chasing the big goal of completing a marathon for several years now. I finally took the leap to begin actually training for one at the start of this year. Here are a few things I learned…
Chasing big goals is important because it pushes you beyond comfort zones, inspires excellence, and can unlock your true potential. I’ve been chasing the big goal of completing a marathon for several years now. I finally took the leap to begin actually training for one at the start of this year.
Completing a marathon is a rare achievement, with fewer than 1% of people worldwide ever finishing one. According to the Marathon Handbook, globally, around 1.1–1.3 million runners complete a marathon each year, representing roughly 0.01–0.02% of the world population.
I am blessed to share that I am now a member of that elite group. The lessons that I am sharing with you here are not specific only to completing a marathon, but can serve as lessons for life in general.
Lesson #1 - Anticipation versus anxiety - knowing the difference between the two
Simply put (although, it can be quite complex), anxiety is a natural human response to stress or perceived danger. It's a feeling of unease, worry, or apprehension that can be caused by anything from a big upcoming event or a major change to something smaller like talking to a new person or an unexpected meeting scheduled by your manager.
There are so many different symptoms and feelings that anxiety may invoke, and they are truly unique to each individual. And the effects & consequences of those symptoms or feelings vary greatly from one individual to the next.
While training for the marathon, I came to the realization that I was using the word anxiety a little too much when describing my feelings. That thought crossed my mind when my niece asked my sister why I felt that way, hadn't I been training and preparing myself for the huge feat of completing the marathon. That question became a great awakening for me! I had been training myself adequately… physical training runs, cross training in the gym, learning which foods properly fuel me, staying hydrated, testing out proper gear for the run, etc. So, if not anxiety, what was it that I was feeling?!
I sat with that for a little while and came to the determination that I was actually feeling anticipation. To “anticipate” can be defined in a few different ways:
1: To expect or foresee: To realize or think about something before it happens.
2: To take action in advance: To prepare for or deal with a situation ahead of time.
3: To look forward to (with pleasure): To eagerly await an upcoming event.
Ahhh… these descriptions illustrated what I was feeling much more accurately. I was looking forward to (and putting in the work) to properly prepare for an exciting goal I’d set for myself!
Can you relate? Has there been a time in your life in which you mis-labeled an emotion you were feeling OR perhaps you allowed someone else to label you incorrectly! Hopefully, you cleared that up for yourself sooner than later, course-corrected, and moved forward more confidently.
Lesson #2 - Discipline and commitment - on a whole different level
There have been many, many situations in my life that required discipline and commitment, just not for this amount of time consecutively. I began my marathon training in January for the May race, and that was on the light side. While some folks train less than I did, there are many runners who engage in training for much longer… think a year versus my five months. But those five months of mine required my full attention. Even when I wasn’t running, I was planning the next run or just having finished a run… while being a wife and mother, running a business, leading workout classes, and being involved in the community. It’s a lot, but I set this goal. Not only that, I was determined to see it through, and I did.
How many times in your life have you started something and not finished? What stopped you?
That’s happened to me when the goal became a little more difficult than I thought it would be… maybe more time consuming than I was prepared for… wasn’t as fulfilling as I’d hoped… or, I just plain lost interest. But not this time. This was a goal I'd set several years ago, and I was now ready. “Ready” doesn’t mean that obstacles won’t arise, it just means that you are ready to tackle each obstacle head-on and keep moving forward!
Lesson #3 - Working through discomfort - physically and mentally
The past five months were uncomfortable. In this case, I knew there would be physical discomfort, aches and pains, sore feet, shin splints, achy shoulders, tiredness and fatigue… but, prior to beginning this journey, I didn't have a full grasp on just how uncomfortable it would be mentally.
Being in the grind, day after day, can take a toll. I'm the type of person who likes to stick to an established plan as closely as possible. When I feel myself veering off course, it causes me to stress. That stress then causes mental discomfort. And for me, maybe you as well, that can be harder to reconcile than physical discomfort.
When it's physical, popping a couple of painkillers, getting a massage, rubbing on some pain relief ointment, or wearing a compression sleeve, can provide an immediate source of relief. However, when it's mental, or even emotional, finding reprieve or a solution can be much more difficult. In this case, there are no quick fixes. And any options that fool you into thinking they are a quick fix will most likely not be long lasting.
So, when that discomfort arises, you have to remember your what(s) and why(s):
Why you started this particular journey
What you hope to gain from this experience
What is so important about completing this goal
Lesson #4 - Understanding that rest isn't laziness - it's recovery
Whew! This has been a long-standing life lesson that I am constantly working through. But when it comes to marathon training, it became less of an option and more mandatory. I mean, I tried it… I tried to push through when my mind and body showed signs of fatigue, but oftentimes, that backfired.
When we don't take the time to listen to the signals and cues our bodies are giving us, we run the risk of losing everything we've gained…
Falling short of the mark we have set for ourselves
Losing momentum
Injuring ourselves, literally or figuratively
In this case, figuratively injuring ourselves, means we do more harm than good. This can lead to setbacks that are impossible to recover from. Subsequently, a goal that you have set for yourself with the absolute best intentions, can be unfortunately sidelined, because you didn't pay attention to the signals and cues.
Taking a pause and resting does not mean you're lazy. It's actually just the opposite; it's smart and proactive. It provides the opportunity to recover, regroup, and reset. Imagine taking a rest and coming back even stronger with a realigned mindset, renewed spirit, and refreshed body.
The amount of time (and when) you rest is truly up to you. There are no set guidelines, it's personal and unique… just like you. Just remember: If you don't schedule a break, your body will take one for you, and it probably won't be at the most convenient time.
Whether you have your sights set on completing a marathon or not, I pray that you are able to take something away from the lessons I've learned during this season of my life. These lessons will stretch much further than my training and the actual 26.2 miles I ran and walked.
The life we live on earth from birth until death is biggest, most tedious, and most rewarding journey that we will ever embark upon. No matter what or whom you believe in to be your guiding light, I hope that you know, we all have a purpose to fulfill. I, personally, thank God for each day and every experience. The road is not easy. There will be bumps, setbacks, and even detours… When they occur, I hope and pray that we can all figure out how to re-route and keep moving forward.