Today’s Marathons+Moderation guest post comes from Abby, an inspirational runner and doctoral student. Abby loves sharing her fitness journey with others through personal training, run coaching, and her blog. She shares her workouts with readers while also inspiring even the busiest person, whether they live in Iowa or New York City, to just get out and move! If you’re a local New Yorker, you can find her at the Lululemon East 66th store inspiring others or tagging along with the run club in her spare time. I hope you enjoy this week’s installment as much as I do!
Hi there! I’m Abby from Run Stronger Every Day. I’m a personal trainer, run coach, lululemon Ambassador, 20+ year running veteran, and a doctoral student at NYU’s Steinhardt School for Physical Therapy. Ten years ago, I ran my first marathon in New York City with 30,000 of my closest friends and P. Diddy. Since then, I’ve run eight more in four difference cities and served as a guide for a blind marathon runner. I’m looking forward to hopefully running my best marathon this fall at the Marine Corps Marathon and love the challenge that every training season brings, but I’ve never forgot my first.
Without a doubt, I am always a little nervous (ok, more than a little) at every start line. Along the way, I have learned tricks and tools to get me through the hard miles and to the finish line.
#1. Know why you’re running. For yourself, for a charity, for a family member. Whatever the reason, it had better be a good one that will motivate you when you want to give up. I run for Team Fisher House because my husband was a Marine for ten years and it makes me feel like I’m helping in some small way. I remind myself who I am running for when the miles get hard and it never fails to get me through.
#2. Train smart. Too much and you’ll risk injury. Too little and you may not make it through the big one. Get a coach or a trusted friend who knows their stuff to mentor you and follow your plan.
#3. Test drive every aspect of your marathon: food, drink, clothes, gear, music, bathroom breaks, everything. Once you figure out what works, stick with it for race day. Practicing takes the guess work out of what to do on race day when you’re too nervous to think straight.
#4. Tell everyone what you’re doing. You’d be surprised how motivating it is to have people as how training is going. Even better, they’ll be the ones cheering the loudest for you as you take to the road on marathon morning. And everyone needs cheerleaders!
#5. Have a post-marathon plan. A lot of runners experience depression after the marathon. You can avoid this by having something else to look forward to in the weeks and months after the race. A trip, a shorter race, a new goal to conquer, anything to keep you going after the big day.
If you are thinking about running your first marathon, do it now! There’s nothing like crossing the finish line at your first marathon; you will remember that feeling forever. Be smart, train hard, and have fun. Now go out and run!
What are your tips for getting through your first marathon?
Great post! And just what I need as my first marathon is…two months from TODAY! Wow! How did that happen?? Haha!
Great tips! I’m running my first full marathon in September. It’s intimidating but really it’s all about putting one foot in front of the other and training. I’ve started testing different types of fuel during my long runs since I’ve never needed them for my 1/2 marathon training. I don’t want any surprises marathon day!
I love Abby!
Great post 🙂 I’m gearing up to train for my first full soon. I like tip #1 about finding a compelling reason you’re running.
Great post! I’m mentally preparing for my first – NYCM in November – and I should definitely get someone more experienced to look over my plan for me.
I ran my first marathon this past weekend!!
Never ran a marathon…but if I do I will keep your tips in the back of my mind!
Great post! Good reminders when I lose my motivation! I’ve never done a marathon and I don’t know, as of now, if I will, BUT I enjoy the length of a half and getting me through comes with GREAT SUPPORT from friends and family!!
Great tips from a great person!!! Abby is the best!
Great post. I have never run a marathon (only halfs so far) but I agree with all of what you wrote. I think having a post-race plan is important because after such a big build up it can really lead to a sense of ‘what now?’. Also- test out all your gear. No surprises come race day!
I’m running the Marine Corps Marathon, too, which I guess makes me one of your newest 30,000 closest friends. It will be my first, so I’m internalizing as many tips as I can – thank you for a few more!
Yay Abby! I love #5…it’s something I never really thought of. But after all the anticipation and training, it really is sad when a marathon is over! After my most recent marathon, I remember thinking…”Now what?!” Definitely wish I would have planned a trip for after, haha!
I ran my first marathon on Sunday, and LOVED it. My main advice would be run your first one with a friend who will run at the same pace if possible. I ran with one of my best friends, we stuck together the whole way round, helping each other through when things got tough. Couldn’t (and wouldn’t have wanted to) do it without her!