Marathon Training Thoughts From a Non-Runner

I am not a runner. Well let me clarify, I run and run often, and sometimes even long distances. Yet, it’s not a passion for me as much as it is for many of the people I run with. I run for health. I run because my spouse is a runner. I also run because I really like to eat, whatever I want, whenever I want, so I must burn off calories.

So, this non-runner decided to attempt a marathon and embark on a journey that taught me a lot about the sport, the activity, the participants and most importantly about myself.

They are very welcoming

I don’t know if it is because runners are nicer than most or if it is simply a misery loves company mentality and they are willing to bring in anyone ready to suffer with them.

Regardless, they will greet you when you are new, reassure you when you struggle with the speed or miles, keep you company when you might feel slower than the rest, support you and encourage you, and introduce you to other runners that will fit your running style and training plans. The Grand Haven Run Club get together regularly throughout the week and will run with a small handful to at times dozens of runners.

They have grit

Running a marathon has less to do with athleticism and more to do with grit. It’s about the

mental toughness to push forward when your body tells you to stop. Make no mistake, even the most trained runners have that innate desire to stop. Our bodies are capable of tremendous feats, but we are not meant for them. So, we tax ourselves beyond our normal limits and our mind resists.

There is a reason that less than 1% of the US population have completed this feat. It is physically challenging, it is mentally challenging, and it takes a long time. When your body starts to give up on the foolish decision you made, it is grit that determines if you finish the training as well as the marathon itself.

It’s the intestinal fortitude to push on long after your reserves seem to be depleted. And there is that little voice in your head saying, “Just be done.” Perseverance over long distances is about passion and commitment and courage. I have a newfound respect for marathon runners. They are tougher than I ever knew.

They run at all hours

At all hours means just that. If you want to run at 5am, you can find runners to join you. An 8:30 run? Just meet at the coffee shop for some cardio and camaraderie. An early evening after work run? Meet at the local watering hole for brews and blazing trails.

Almost every community has one or more running groups that are always planning some kind of run almost every day of the week. If you are running alone, it’s probably by choice.

They talk about miles

Often when you hear a runner say “we only did 5 miles” that’s not meant to sound boastful or dismissive to a non-runner. It’s because they are either comparing it to the long runs that they had to complete while training and are relieved that they are finished. These long runs can reach upwards of 20 miles or more, so 5 miles feels like a walk in the park in comparison.

Or they are coming off an injury, illness, or other running setback and feel that the 5 miles are less than they wanted to do and does not reflect their running ability.

They talk about shoes

One unusual thing about runners, they all seem to know about shoes. They know shoe brands, types, models simply by looking at them.

Runners talk about shoe support, lacing, drop, seams, stability, breathability, pronation, arch, cushion and so much more. If you don’t know anything about shoes you will quickly learn. Buying shoes at a running store is also extremely helpful. They will have experts that can walk you through a series of questions and gait review to help you find the shoe style that fits your need.

Gazelle Sports has helped me transition from running in cross trainers that were purchased for look alone to finding a shoe that supports my running style and training regimen.

They talk about everything

When you have a lot of time to spend with people your conversation will cover a myriad of topics and I have found that nothing is off limits. As a newer participant, I spend more time listening. This is mostly because I can’t breathe and really can’t talk, so I hear it all.

Runners talk about work, significant others, family, children, food, and of course running. But they also talk about air hankies, chafing, bathroom breaks, and even peeing while running. There is no shame and as I said, absolutely nothing is off limits. If you see me running and I’m red faced, it might be from the miles but it is quite possibly from the conversation.

They run on the road

This is often a controversial discussion between runners and non-runners. Sidewalks are uneven and after awhile the constant change of terrain starts to impact the ankles and knees of runners. I never understood this until I ran longer than 3 miles on a sidewalk. Sidewalks also have many trip hazards like raised concrete, broken concrete, sticks, rocks, as well as sprinklers threatening to soak you. Rolling an ankle becomes a real threat and is a 3 to 6 week injury. This injury could force you to cancel your next race that you spent months training for. So, runners use the road.

The road gives runners a more level terrain to protect their legs while they pile on the miles. For some reason this seems to irritate drivers. Prior to running and without this new knowledge I have gained, I may have been irritated too, but I still gave the runners a wide berth. Some drivers seem to purposely get closer as if to teach the runner a lesson. I wonder to myself, what is going on in a person’s life that makes them so miserable that they purposely buzz past a runner putting their life in danger simply so they don’t have to share the road?

Roads can be dangerous, but now I know why runners use them. Mind you I am not advocating for running on the road as much as I am illuminating what I have learned through this journey.

They Like to Eat & Drink

Yes, some runners you meet will have extremely healthy lifestyles, regulate their caloric intake, and refrain from unhealthy foods and abstain from alcohol. But most have healthy appetites and love to eat and indulge in adult beverages. Find a running group and you will find people to share in your love for food and willing to participate in happy hour.

They Are Supportive

They will call to follow up on your training, they will join you on long runs, even if it is just for a portion of the miles. They will even organize a group to each take a leg of a particularly long run. This is vital to some runners as the company takes your mind off the training and the monotony of the pavement in front of you.

They will listen to your frustrations about injury, illness, slower times than anticipated, tough hills, long straightaways, and anything that is troubling you while training. They listen because they have been there before.

They Helped Me Grow

I am prepping for my third marathon. The first attempt was the Revel Mt Charleston in Las Vegas. I did not train properly and ended up with an injury prior to the race. I attempted it anyway and failed. I did make it 22 miles and though I could have continued, I was walking, and at 14 minute miles. I decided that grabbing a drink was much better than walking for another hour. My improper training and failed marathon were not met with derision. In fact, I only found sympathy and support and the ultimate question, will you try to run a marathon again?

Because I failed at my first attempt, I was determined to try again, and this time on a trail. The Great Lakes Endurance Grand Island Trail Marathon seemed like a great opportunity, because why not follow up a failed marathon attempt with a much harder, challenging course? This was a grueling race, on rough terrain, with endless hills, on a small island in the Michigan Upper Peninsula. This was by far the hardest run I have ever attempted. I finished, which was my secondary goal, with the primary goal ever present in my mind: do not die! My trail running training was supported by many other runners. This ensured that I trained better and ultimately allowed me to complete this marathon.

And now I am facing my next challenge. It is taking me on a long path of 48.6 miles over a 4 day period, a 5k, a 10k, a half marathon and then a Marathon. It is aptly named the Run Disney Dopey Challenge and I have run over 500 miles training for this. Very few of these miles were done alone, I have had a lot of support along the way. I still have not logged as many miles as I probably should have to complete this task, I am much better prepared than my past Marathons.

This is thanks to the best running partner you can ask for, she has supported and encouraged me the entire time. Because of her and all the other runners that have shared in my miles, I can no longer say I am not a runner.