by Everything seems to fall into one of three buckets when it comes to training for a marathon, at least so far, as I work my way into the part of training where the miles really start to accumulate.
The Physical
I wouldn’t go “couch to marathon”. I’d certainly recommend being able to run a 5K comfortably at the very least. And to be really certain, a 10K. Then you are probably ready to start training. The first couple of weeks might be rough if you go from running 1-2 times per week to 4 or more times, but you will adjust. Most people, if they straight up make up their mind they are going to do this, can probably get through a training program. I’m 44 years old and was never entirely naturally athletic and I could ramp up the running sessions, so you probably can too. If you can get over the hump of just getting in a 5K, about 10% of your training is physical.
The Social
You have a job. Maybe a significant other. Maybe kids. Probably other passions and hobbies. And a social life of some sort, with friends, and things you do with them. It is a challenge balancing the training and the social life. You can’t just walk away from your kids or your squad for 4 or 6 months to train for a marathon. I mean, you could, but its probably a bit … extreme. And weird, to be totaly honest. Personally, its not easy balancing my training needs, and my wife’s life. I can’t expect her not to see friends three nights from now simply because I have to run 4 miles that night. So you figure something out, or you just skip. This part is pretty tough, fitting it in, and consumes about 10% of your energy. I’m not getting in all the miles I need to, but what’s the alternative? I can’t ask everyone around me to stop what they are doing and work around my needs and goals. In the end, this is my obsession, and no one else really cares. So I do what I can.
The Mental
If you are doing the math, you’re left with 80%. I’m an introvert by nature, I like to be left alone with thoughts. I could go days without talking to people and not really care. But I tell ya, these long runs can be mentally challenging. You spend a lot of time in your head. And there’s really no way out. Once you set out on a 3 hour run, you’re stuck with yourself for the duration. You might spend some time thinking about work, or maybe current events, or your social life, or things you like to read about, but you inevitably wander to a constantly recurring question — why am I doing this? And is it really worth it?
I do fear that if and when I cross that finish line, it will be anti-climactic as all hell. It isn’t like someone is going to walk up to me and hand me a check for a million dollars. When I’m not trying to convince myself that this is a completely rational endeavor to embark upon, I’m wondering what my mental state will be the day after. I worry about that.
