Five Things I’ve Learned While Prepping for the NYC Marathon
Hi friends! With the NYC Marathon just under eight weeks away, I thought it would be fun to share some of the surprising and enlightening lessons I've picked up during my training journey. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or someone who only runs when being chased, there's something here for everyone. Here we go!
1. You can build new habits!
Honestly, I’m still kind of shocked that running has become a habit for me. When I started training about 20 weeks ago, I was not a runner. Maybe it was the humid, 90-degree days that made running seem unbearable, but I just wasn’t into it (at all). Fast forward to now — one Monday morning, I literally rolled out of bed, went for a three-mile run, and then realized I wasn’t even scheduled to run until the next day! It was like I was on autopilot. Marathon training has taught me that you can turn anything into a habit. I’ll write a whole post soon on habit-building tips, but trust me, 1. having a plan, 2. knowing your "why," and 3. consistently showing up for yourself really makes a difference.
2. Be someone’s cheerleader - it might give them that extra boost!
Okay, disclaimer: This is coming from my perspective. I totally get that not everyone loves unsolicited attention, but I’ve found that a smile, a high-five, or just a little encouragement can go a long way. Case in point: I got caught in a crazy downpour during a 12-mile run. As I passed other runners, we’d smile, wave, or give each other a thumbs up. It felt like a little acknowledgment — like, “Yeah, we’re all out here in this pouring rain, pushing through together.” Another time, at the end of a brutally hot run, a stranger smiled and yelled, “YOU GOT THIS!” That simple moment was such a reality check. I was doing it. I could have been at home on the couch in the A/C, but instead, I was out there in the heat, making it happen. One time, I even got a double high-five — one from a friend I ran past and then from a random person behind him. We both laughed, and honestly, that energy boost was everything.
3. Food is fuel.
This one seems obvious, but seriously, your diet impacts your energy levels (and mood!) more than you think. I’ve learned so much about properly fueling my body, especially as my mileage increases. It’s not just about eating; it’s about eating right for your training. The more I train, the more I understand how important it is to fuel up so I can power through and recover from those longer runs.
4. Progress Isn’t Linear — But Keep Going!
Progress doesn’t always mean setting a new PR. Some days, progress simply means getting out there and getting the distance done.
Don’t get me wrong — I would love to improve my stats and feel like running gets easier with every run. The reality is there are days when I feel strong — my legs are light, the run feels effortless, and I’m hitting paces I didn’t think I could. But then, there are days when my legs feed like lead, my heart rate skyrockets, and my pace drops.
One thing that’s really helped me is keeping a running log. Using something like Strava lets you track your stats (distance, heart rate, pace, elevation, etc.) and see how you’re improving over time. On tough days, it’s motivating to look back and see how far you’ve come, even when your daily effort may not show it.
So don’t get discouraged if you have a bad day. Listen to your body, know when to push and when to ease up, but whatever you do, keep going. Those tough runs still move you forward, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment. The payoff will come, and the grind will make crossing that finish line all the more rewarding.
5. It really is a marathon, not a sprint.
Learning to pace myself has been key in this process. In the past, I’d always run at a pace that left me out of breath, because I thought that’s just what running was — pure cardio. You know that feeling after a good cardio session when you’re bent over, hands on knees, trying to catch your breath? Yeah, I thought running was supposed to feel like that all the time. Marathon training, though, has taught me to intentionally slow down, control my speed, and manage my heart rate so I don’t burn out early. It’s all about pacing yourself for the long haul.
So, I’m curious — does anyone else feel the same way? Or totally different? What has marathon training taught you? Drop your thoughts below — I’d love to hear!
