Making running fun…by making fun of it
It’s been a week since I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying the brief respite from running as part of my marathon recovery. After a marathon — and 18 long, intense weeks of training — it’s nice to plop myself on the couch and not worry about when I’ll go running—or do any exercise. It’s very tough returning to running after a marathon. Just as with the 26.2 mile distance, marathon recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. Here’s how I recover.
I used a modified version of the 18 week/55-70 mile Pfitzinger marathon training plan to try and run my first sub-three-hour marathon at the 2023 Marine Corps Marathon. Simply put, I got in the best shape of my life because of the 18-week plan. I’ve been running for nearly two decades, and I never had more fun training for a marathon—or any race. Find out if the plan is right for you.
Last Sunday, I ran the 2023 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC — my fifth marathon and first with a sub-three-hour goal. The stage was set for a fairytale ending. Yet, despite the stars aligning, I fell like a crashing meteor. So, what went wrong? Well, I’m not one to make excuses, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the role of one very important element. Here’s what happened…
With the Marine Corps Marathon rapidly approaching, I can’t help but feel anxious and fearful about reaching my sub 3 hour marathon training goal. Here’s how I cope.
I woke up on Monday morning, and it was the first time during my 11 weeks of training that I didn’t feel like going for a run. I was struggling to find running motivation.
Committing to running a marathon is committing to better oneself physically, mentally, and even spiritually. Here’s why the marathon keeps me coming back again despite the great challenge.