26.2 or bust…

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Hi, I’m Amber! Mom, wife, and outdoor enthusiast.

I am not a professional athlete, but truth be told, I don’t need much to stay motivated. The thought of running a marathon was *crazy thinking* a couple years ago, but last weekend’s Revel Rockies race proved to be one of the greatest commitments – and first marathon race – of my life!

As I’m sure is true for many of us, running serves as a form of exercise (since my high school track days), but more recently for me it’s become a vital source of mental release and healthy distraction. Since 2018 I’ve participated in two half marathons and, this past fall, I signed up for the full 26.2-mile experience. I’m always up for a challenge and felt this would be the hardest – and most rewarding – achievement of my life.

It did not disappoint.

The urge to run a full marathon peaked when one of my favorite influencers completed her first full at last year’s NYC marathon. She has two kids (like me) and embraced a training plan that perked my interest. (Check out the website and app “Run With Hal” by Hal Higdon, a renowned marathon runner. It’s an amazing resource for those who are new to running and want to prepare for a race.)

If you are flirting with the idea of taking on a marathon, don’t ignore it. With the right training plan, a supportive community, and commitment, you can do it.

Here are 10 simple lessons I learned – and stuck to – while training for my 26.2:

1. Decide on a training plan and stick with it! Exercising regularly is crucial to becoming a successful runner/marathoner. When your legs are tired or the weather is uncooperative, staying motivated will help you get out there. The days I ran the best were the days I didn’t want to commit to the plan. How you feel before a run is never a good indicator of how you’ll feel during or after a run.
2. Listen to your body. I can’t express the importance of this enough! If you are injured or sick, it’s best to take a break and heal before hitting the trail. I learned this the hard way. I was sick with a minor cold, pushed through training, and ended up with a severe sinus infection. This forced me to take an entire week off which may have been avoided had I taken a small break at its onset.
3. Eat right. Food is fuel. I am mostly plant-based, so maintaining a balanced diet of whole grains, fruits, veggies, protein, and fat was key. And an hour before my run, I would consume a small snack of carbohydrates and protein. One of my favorite books to cook meals from is called “Love Real Food” by Kathryne Taylor. She has many options (including seafood + meat) that are packed full of nutrition and easy to prep!
4. Stay hydrated. I was drinking upward of 100 oz/day and became overly obsessed with my water bottle. Hot tip: if you buy a cute water bottle, you’re likely to drink more out of it! My favorite is a simple Nalgene – easy to carry and monitor your intake.
5. Buy those nice running shoes. I tried 3 pairs until I found the perfect ones. Toe blisters are not your friend. Hoka’s Clifton 8 sneakers are one of my favorites for training. Danner X FP Movement’s Trail 2650 sneakers are my go-to for trail running.
6. Make time for rest and recovery. Adequate rest helps prevent injuries and mental burnout. Rest days are just as important as run days! The greatest enemy of any aspiring marathoner is injury, and the best protection against injury is rest.
7. Stretch and strengthen. Most training plans include a “cross-training” day, which was one of my favorites during the week. I would use this day to focus on my mind-body relationship by incorporating yoga, a nice long hike, or a leisurely bike ride into my weekly training. According to “Run with Hal’s” plan, stretching is best right after your run, while your muscles are warmed up. I use a foam roller 3-4x a week and stretch after each run for 5-10 minutes.
8. Don’t worry about how fast you run! Run at a pace that allows you to cover long distances easily. Here’s a good rule of thumb to live by when you’re training and distinguishing your pace: if you can maintain a light conversation with a friend during the run, you’re doing great! Feel free to take some walking breaks in the middle of your run.
9. Lean on your support system. There were moments I couldn’t remember the reason “why” I was training for a marathon. Especially when my training became really intense (18-to 20- mile runs). The motivation and love I received from so many was unreal. I do not have enough words of appreciation and kindness for those who cared and supported me through this process! From my husband cheering me on from his bike the last 2 miles of my first 20-miler, family and friends who sent encouraging and uplifting messages, and the most supportive community at Free People.
10. Enjoy the process. There will be hard days, but the overall goal is to have fun. Someone once told me: “Suffering is the door to growth and strength.” In other words, suffering plays a key role in building both mental and physical strength. Some of my toughest runs were between 8-13 miles – yet my first 15-miler was incredible. And what better way to have fun than occupy your headspace with the perfect soundtrack. MUSIC plays a significant role in maintaining both my stride and my smile. This one got me through Revel – I hope it can do the same for you.

My first marathon is in the books, and I honestly can’t wait for the next. I finished at 4:05:47 // 9:22 pace and feel very proud and accomplished. If you’ve already signed up for your first marathon or are considering one, I’ll be there cheering you on the entire way through. You got this!