You’ve probably heard the phrase before, “It’s a sprint, not a marathon,” right? This is something I like to remind my clients frequently, too, on any part of their journey to healthier living. In order to make for a long-lasting, sustainable lifestyle (see: a series of daily habits!), we need to make sure our behaviors are definitely patterns with changed mindsets, rather than quick but temporary fixes. Just like anything that requires us to strengthen our discipline-muscle, running long distances is a challenge as much for our minds and willpower as it is for our bodies. 

So, what about you…will you join us in completing your first, or second, or third marathon? 

Read about how to train for a marathon for a few hints that helped me and that can help you keep putting your best foot forward too!

Hint #1: It Is NOT Motivation! 

Well, not entirely, anyway! Motivation is definitely needed sometimes to help you reach your goals, but here’s the truth — no one is motivated all of the time to reach their goals.

When I was figuring out how to train for the Chicago marathon a few years ago, there were so many times when I struggled with motivation. I could find 1000 excuses to NOT run, some more valid than others, while I struggled to find ONE reason to get my booty out the door to run.

In a similar way, there are so many times that my clients are tempted to cave into their food cravings like swinging through the fast food line as opposed to cooking a quick, healthy meal at home. After all, life gives us 1000 excuses to NOT be healthy, which means we need help from others to find that ONE good reason to stay on track. 

Hint #2: Think Freedom With Food Formula but for Marathon Training for Beginners!

Since it’s not (all) about motivation, it’s time to bring out the tried and true method of accountability, eating habits, and an empowered mindset. 

When I am working with anyone starting a weight loss journey, I promote a healthier relationship with their favorite foods. We talk about our lifestyles and what motivates us to be more mindful, as well as how to pay attention when we want to cave in. We talk about how we cultivate an empowered mindset and become our inner cheerleaders, although we know that nobody can do everything alone. Even though how you fuel your training always matters, the same thought process applies to how to train for a marathon, too, including fitting runs into your schedule, incorporating cross-training, and making sure you stay hydrated. 

Taking this a step further, think about your biggest roadblocks for starting a marathon: likely, it has to do with a combination of resting and relaxation, no? After all, life gets stressful, which makes it even harder to stay motivated, whether it’s changing our eating habits or figuring out how to successfully train for a marathon. Just as I encourage every client to still enjoy their favorite treats, I apply the same thinking to running discipline. 

After all, treating yourself is important to your overall well-being, as long as it’s a treat and not a regular go-to: similarly, our bodies need and deserve rest, but it can be a fine line between giving your body what it says it craves and caving into the pressure to slack on your running discipline.

Hint #3: Accountability Buddies Come in Many Forms!

If you are a beginner to marathon training, chances are you’re either going solo or joining with a friend who’s more experienced. Either way, that can feel intimidating! 

While nothing can replace the person who cheers you on with a sign on your Big Day, and even if you don’t have anyone to run with, there are many great ways to stay accountable. First, think about what works for you, especially as you reflect on any meaningful parts of your weight loss journey that became sustainable for the long haul. As you apply that to your running discipline, think about what motivates you and keeps you accountable. For example: 

• Are you someone who loves checking off to-do lists?

• Do you respond well to timers or app alerts? 

• Are you a journaler, who loves writing down and recording your progress as you count up?

• Or, do you love the “good stress” that comes with a countdown timer?

All of these ideas and more can help you go from a beginner marathon trainer to your own personal expert on how to train for a marathon. 

Off to the Races

And - just remember that as you fall off the bandwagon in any part of your life, the same thing can and will happen when you are training for a marathon. How you get back on track, though, is what counts! And that, dear readers, is what helped me crush my 26.2-mile marathon goal and what helps my clients crush their weight loss goals: discipline!

When you’re disciplined, you’re able to choose your actions with your goals in the front (and back!) of your mind. Being aware of your emotions but not letting them influence how you act is key, the winning secret to disciplined marathon runners. 

So — I’d love to know: What is one goal that YOU have reached because you were disciplined? Contact me today to learn how I can help you change your mindset, stay accountable, and finish that marathon!