First Marathon Mistakes- What I Wish I Knew Before My First Marathon

I Mean, Learning Experiences

I thought about running a marathon many times. I talked about running a marathon many times. Finally, in 2020, I registered to actually run a marathon. Once I did, there was no turning back despite COVID or the little voice inside my head that whispered “uh-oh,” when I clicked submit on the registration website.

Despite the experienced coaching of google and my inner know-it-all monologue, I still made a few first marathon mistakes while preparing for my virtual marathon. Here is what I wish I had known going into it all:

1. Expect to be uncomfortable — I somehow thought that on marathon day, if I wasn’t chasing a time goal, I could comfortably run 26.2 miles like it was a stroll in the park. After all, I would be running slowly. So slowly that it could barely be called running, at some points. Guess again. Fast or slow, you will be uncomfortable. You will be sweaty, tired, and you may become breathless at times. Your legs will hurt. In fact, all of your muscles will hurt. Muscles that you never dreamed you used while running will hurt because no one is exempt on race day. Every muscle, tendon, and ligament in your body will eventually be called into action to take part in this effort. Going forward at all will seem to require herculean strength and stamina by mile 22 or so. What has helped me, in subsequent training for my second marathon, overcome the knowledge that running a marathon is a painful process? Repeat the mantra “It’s not supposed to be easy,” or “ if it were easy everyone would do it”, or “just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean you can’t do it.” Because all of those are true, and they will remind you to expect and embrace the difficulty of your achievement.
2. Beginner training plans help you finish — barely. A beginner marathon training plan is a great place to start, but in reality, it doesn’t include enough training to prepare you for a marathon. Most beginner plans don’t have much information about strength training, don’t include any speed work, and simply aren’t long enough to build a good base of running. If you follow a beginner plan, please refer to number 1 above — this will be true for you even more so than for those that are better trained. I know the goal for your first marathon should be to finish, but before running a marathon, I would suggest following a beginner training plan to build a base of endurance and then choosing an intermediate plan to follow to actually train for the marathon. This may take more time but you will be happy in the long run, no pun intended. Or better yet, get a personalized training plan from a running coach.
3. Nutrition is key. Nutrition is an overlooked part of marathon preparation. Do yourself a favor and speak to a sports nutritionist to get some guidance in this area. A sports nutritionist can give you the exact calories you will need for optimal performance and can also help recommend how to fuel your long runs. Take that information and test it before marathon day to see how it feels, so you can actually spend time running and not looking for a porta-potty. For more on how to avoid stomach upset while running, read this article.
4. Don’t go it alone. Whether you choose a virtual marathon or an in-person event, invite friends and family to attend and cheer you on. You will be grateful for their support and it will be inspiring to them as well. In the words of marathon great Kathrine Switzer, “ If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon.” You will see people overcoming all sorts of odds to achieve their dreams. Maybe it will inspire your friends and family members to join you for the next marathon you run!

Here’s hoping you make your own first marathon mistakes! For more tips on how to survive a virtual marathon, read this article. Good luck in your marathon journey. See you on the runner’s route!