Life Lessons Learned From Marathon Running

"If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon"

-Emily Zatopek

Website: working out requires energy (read yesterday's post) and the right foods can maximize this http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/nutrition/best-foods-for-runners/?esrc=nwfitdailytip101910&email=2686729334

Not everyone is going to run a marathon...or even train for a 5k for that matter...but there have been some pretty great things I have learned as I have gotten ready for my past 2. These are the 5 biggest lessons I have learned throughout my marathons...there are about a thousand, but to keep the post from being 18 pages, I chose the top 5. I am sure the second I walk away from the computer I will think of at least 4 more that can be added but for now, this is a start (I may have another post later when I think of more!)

1. The challenge is in the journey, not the destination

OK this is cheesy but bear with me for a minute! When I reflect on marathon #1 I see the biggest hurdle was the months of training I went through. Yes, the 26.2 miles were pretty brutal, but I had thousands of other runners, adrenaline, a team of supporters, and the vision of the end in sight. It was the Saturdays in which I set out for an 18-mile run, alone, in 40 degree weather, that really built my strength. Character is built through the challenges, and I saw this clearly in training. Each run was a new opportunity and a new challenge-was I going to push myself another mile or was I going to give in to the desire to give-up and go home. I can't pretend like it was easy for me by any means, but the feeling of accomplishment as I crossed the finish line made the months of work so worth it. Had I not pushed myself and worked so hard I would not have been able to complete it.

2. The power of rest

It is not just runners who forget this value, Americans are always on the go. We move from one thing to another, pushing our body past the point of exhaustion, and give ourselves minimal rest to recover. Fact-you WILL crash if you don't take time to slow down every once in a while. I am 100% guilty of not knowing how to do things in moderation, I can tend to be a little bit of a workaholic and have always found myself going above and beyond. I have to constantly remind myself that this will lead me straight to burn-out! As a runner, the rest days are every bit as important as long runs days. This does not mean rest from running so that you can swim or pull up those weeds you have been ignoring, this is REST! It is so important to allow your muscles a break to recover and get the strength needed for another push. In life, if we don't allow ourselves a break to breathe, sit and clear our mind of stress (what a foreign idea, I know!) then we can't get strength for another day's push.

3. Goals require sacrifices

If running a marathon was easy then there would have been 90,000 people registered for the marathon's lottery (there were 30,000-and 22,000 got it). For one, training takes so much time. On Wednesday nights, after a full day of work, I have my medium runs-which get up to 10 miles, or 1 1/2 hours. I have to keep this in mind, go in to work earlier, work throughout the day, and leave so that I can fit it in. I have gotten so used to scheduling a lot of my life around these runs, and thinking weeks in advance so that I can ensure things don't interfere with runs. My family left Louisiana early so that I could get back and run before it was dark, I have to be mindful of what I eat on Friday nights so that it won't affect me on a Saturday run, I have to say no to friends so that I can get sleep-these have been huge sacrifices but I keep my goal in mind. "No one said it would be easy, they only said it would be worth it"

4. The people who care about you are your biggest supporters

I absolutely loved my first marathon, clearly or I wouldn't be gearing up for a second. Yes, the accomplishment was huge and the people around me were great but my favorite memory is rounding a corner to see lime green "Team Megan" shirts on my family. My mom drove me to Dallas and my brother and sister-in-law met us up there...not exactly a fun and exciting vacation by any means. Joel and Lindsay met me at the bottom of the hard hills to run up them with me and offer encouraging words every step of the way. My entire family has been behind me on this journey and I honestly don't think I could do it without them. It is crazy to admit, but there are a lot of people who aren't supportive of the goals you are working for. So many times I had people question me for what I was doing or try to get me to skip runs. Whether it is a healthy lifestyle (they will judge the things you order when out to eat or try to convince you to eat that second piece of cake), exercising (they tell you to just take 1 day off....or 2), or even that promotion at work (they will make you feel guilty when you have to pass on a hangout in order to complete a project). Truth of the matter is these people are typically jealous that you are doing what they wish they could be, but the people who aren't supportive are not the ones to surround yourself with. Find those that will be your teammates, encouragers and supporters so they can help get you through the hard times and share in the victories!

5. One step at a time

When I set out for a long run, I do not tell myself "I am going to run 20 miles" but rather I think about checkpoints along the way. When I run I am working for the next checkpoint that eventually get me to the final destination. With my first go-around, it was mile by mile. I knew each mile along the way and would revel in the small victory of getting through another mile. This training I am actually working for increments of 30 minutes. At the end of 30 minutes, I get a Gu-Chew (energy training gel). Knowing that I reached another checkpoint gives me a new found energy to push forward to the next goal. Any goal can be daunting and seem unattainable, but stepping away from the big picture and taking it little steps at a time can help you to achieve anything. So many times I don't even realize how close I am getting to the final goal, because my eyes are set on the smaller steps of the journey. All of a sudden you have hit your goal-and it didn't seem so bad after all!

Well, that was 5 and my head it already spinning with more lessons. To spare you from reading a novel, I will save those from later. Whether your goal is fitness, health, work, family, or anything in between, take the journey and really set out to achieve it actively!

What better time than New Years for renewing/setting new goals!

Megan