Before 2021, the most I’d ever run was five miles… adding 20+ more seemed ludicrous! I was born a month premature with a heart murmur and childhood asthma. Running always felt impossible.
Then my friend randomly asked if I wanted to sign up for the Montana Marathon with her, I scoffed. “NO WAY!” And yet… I couldn’t kick the idea. It’d taken root and I found myself curious about the challenge. Could I do it?
I signed up that night!
I knew the biggest factor would be training. I settled on a 5-month “couch to marathon” training plan (and visited my doctor). Weekly, my training included 2-3 short runs, stretching, cross-training, and weights. I also ran a “long run” each weekend beginning with 3 miles and working up to 20 miles before tapering off a couple weeks before the main event. I incorporated walk/run intervals that worked very well for me (only elites run nonstop). Remembering that it’s quite literally “a marathon, not a sprint” helped too.
Marathon day arrived and it was glorious. My goals were simple. I wanted to FINISH without getting hurt and/or being last. I did it!
Race day motto: “Slow and Steady.”
That said, it was tough. Organizers considered calling off the event due to heavy smoke from wildfires, the set-up crew forgot to drop off the porta-potties for the first 14 miles (making things a bit uncomfortable for everyone!), and it rained for miles 22-26.
I was sore physically… but soaring emotionally! I am very proud to have finished.
“Motivation remains key to the marathon: the motivation to begin; the motivation to continue; the motivation never to quit.” - Hal Higdon
If you want to run a marathon:
- Check in with your doctor.
- Commit to a training schedule. (Research Marathon Training Plans if interested. There are a lot of great resources including books, podcasts, blogs, and more that will help you get ready for your marathon.)
- Find a running store and invest in a good pair of shoes, clothes, cushioned socks, etc.
- Fueling—meals that give you energy—and hydration are big components and something to research and play around with during your training time to find what works best for your body.
- Don’t forget to stretch…buy yourself a roller now. You'll need it.
- Stay hydrated!
- Keep showing up for yourself and goals!
- If you start now, you'll be ready for the Boise River Marathon (May 4th, 2024).
Editors note: As a new resident of the Treasure Valley, we welcome Katie to the local running trails as well as to the pages of Boise + Meridian Lifestyle.