Transitioning: Marathon Training

I am training to run a marathon. It kind of scares me just to write that down, but it's true. I registered and paid for it, I have to do it. I was chatting with my sister one day, before the new year began, and we both decided that we needed something to look forward to, something to train for. So, naturally, we chose to train for 26.2 miles. (There is nothing natural about it!)

My sister has run 7 marathons, so she knows what she is doing. I, on the other hand, am in a whole new world. Yes, I run, and I run often. I have always done it for my health, and my enjoyment. But I have never run in training mode before, and that is a different kind of running. I have never had the desire before now to do such a thing.

But you see, I am now a different kind of woman. I want to do new and challenging things. I recognize that life is short, and time will pass whether or not I try to do the impossible. I have seen death. I have known intense fear. I have felt excruciating sorrow and pain. I am still alive.

I might as well really live!

There is nothing that makes me feel more alive than running... it sets my spirit free.

I have a running schedule that I follow daily. I am also strength-training to build my muscles up to prepare for the event. I have a long way to go. I have a lot of work to do. But I am doing it. The marathon is on June 11th. I have a 22 week training plan on my mirror that I adhere to, so I can be ready.

I have to be ready.

I am willing to try new things, especially when it comes to training. I have a few gadgets and gizmos that help me track time, distance, pace, and all that. It is amazing how the clock can make me more determined to push a little harder. Not all my runs are timed or tracked, I still do what I call "spirit runs" that are simply for my spirit to feel alive and free, with no restrictions or interference from the pressure of numbers. My goal is not to die during the marathon. I don't have some goal of breaking a time limit or anything, but I still need to kind of gauge my time as I train, so I can see where I am at.

I am also trying out some new shoes. My sister recommended that I try these new Zero-Drop shoes (shown above). She and her husband (an Ultra-Marthon runner) have worn them running for years, and love them. I ordered a pair for myself, so that I could see if they would work for me. I trust their judgement on all things running, because they have proven the products out on the pavement. They both have awesome "overcomer" stories of their own. They both had times when running was not something they could physically do, and they both conquered. You can see one of their marathons: HERE.

The interesting thing with these shoes is that you have to "transition" into them. Because they are Zero-Drop -- your foot is in a more natural form -- it takes time to adjust your muscles to the new movement. I am used to running with lifted heels, and lots of cushioning and these shoes are just different. It is not quite barefoot running, but they cause you to run in a much more natural position.

My favorite thing about them is the wide area for the toes. My toes can totally spread out and are not crushed like they can get in traditional running shoes. I have found them to be super comfortable, and I took them on their maiden voyage yesterday. They certainly felt different, but for me they were a good different. I think I am going to like them. I am supposed to transition into them gradually -- no super long runs until I have adjusted -- but they felt a very naturally transition for me on day one. We shall see how day two goes. I love to just wear them around the house too, they are really supportive and feel great.

As I have thought about transitioning into new shoes, I have considered the other transitions I am having to make to run this marathon. One of my main efforts in training is to work on my "Marathon Mentality." You simply cannot run such a long distance, without having a positive "can-do" type of attitude.

The most challenging transition I have to make is in my mind.

I have never really considered myself an overly optimistic person. I have always thought of myself as more of a realist. I am someone who sees how things really are, and I deal with it accordingly. I remember as a teenager I had a sign in my room that said, "Deal with it," and that was kind of my attitude. Stuff happens, so deal with it. That is all fine and good, except that mentality will just not work at mile 20, on marathon day. If I go in with a realist type of view on race day, I will hit the wall, and land flat on my face. If I am being realistic, running a marathon is ridiculous. I can't just "deal" with a marathon.

It is hard to change who I am at what seems my very core. It is hard to train my mind to think in a different way than I normally think. This is something I definitely go and pound out on the pavement and try to overcome. I have begun to contemplate how I am going to accomplish this switch from realist to optimist in my mind. It will take a great effort. But it is an effort I am willing to put forth.

The real trick is getting my mind to be quiet. But since that is nearly impossible, what I need to do is fill my busy mind with positive thoughts. From positive mantras, to scriptures, to music, to reciting the Young Women values... I will do it all. Running is a physical battle, but the real momentum comes from the mind and the heart, not just the body. Most of my 22 weeks of training is going to be a battle in my head. Can I toss out the reality of what is, and experience something more beautiful and be more powerful, by changing my thoughts?

It will take time, but it is not impossible. I have the ability to change. I have already made progress. It is not progress you can see, but progress I can feel in my mind while I am running. I do not just sit and try and become more positive, I have to seek out and educate myself on how to accomplish this task. I have been making a study of positive thinking to go along with my physical training. Most of my study takes place on a lovely site called: www.lds.org.

My goal for this marathon is not focused on the finished line. If all I think about for the next 6 months is the end of the battle -- that one moment in time, that will come and go in an instant -- then I will certainly lose my mind, and my desire to carry on. I have heard that many runners experience a great let down after races are completed. The finish line is a great high, but then what? The only option is to chase that finish line high again and again. I want to go in with a different kind of attitude, that has nothing to do with the finish line. I have this sign right next to my bed that says, "Happiness is a journey, not a destination."

I am doing this for the journey.

I want to work towards this marathon so that I can run the hundreds of miles of training. I want to breathe, and take in all of the daily runs and adventures that come from stepping out the front door, and out onto distant paths of inspiration and beauty. I want to train so I can conquer my thoughts, and my fears, and realize that I am an overcomer. I want to enjoy the journey, not just endure to the finish line.

And even as I run the 26.2 miles on marathon day, it will not be about the end of it -- it will be about all of it. I want to embrace each mile, to soak them in, and look around me at all the others who have worked so hard to get there. The finish line will be a victory, to be sure. But it is but a very small moment, the true victory will occur somewhere in the hundreds of miles of training that it took to get there. I will consider each mile of the marathon to be the reward. Mile 1 through 26.2; that will be the victory.

The true victory is the journey.

One of the best things about this adventure is that I will not be alone. My sister is going to come down from Alaska, and run it with me. She has committed to stay by my side, even though she could easily out pace me. With her by my side -- and perhaps a few more angels -- I am sure I will be lifted up and have the strength to carry on. I am grateful for the ability to text and communicate with my sister almost daily, so we can train together, even though we are far apart. I will need her wisdom and expertise to make it through this.

We will be running the Utah Valley Marathon. The path will take us along the same journey that my ancestors took, when they helped to settle the Heber Valley. I am super excited, and a lot nervous too. But I am at the beginning of the process, and I know I will gain confidence as I continue training and feeling improvement. The only impossible journey is one that is never begun.

Let the transition of Mari begin.

A little more about the shoes... 

You can see how the shoes have a foot shaped toe box. It is super nice to really let the toes have full motion and not be squished.

Here is the difference between the new and the old. I love my other shoes too, but these new ones have a very different fit and feel to them. They are supposed to help prevent injuries from improper running form, especially to the knees.