In early October 2006, I did one of the stupidest things I had ever tried. I ran a marathon with barely any training.
After not being able to sit, or fall down for that matter, I stood balling my eyes out uncontrollably on stilt legs guzzling down any and every fluid I could commandeer.
It wasn’t a pretty sight.
I had just finished my first marathon in 4:06. I was completely unprepared for the physical and emotional toll.
I shouldn’t have committed to running a marathon. I wasn’t prepared for it physically and mentally.Though I finished, I was a crippled mess and should have never tempted the feat.
I say this to scare the shit out of you so you take marathon training seriously unlike me the first time. Running a marathon without taking training seriously is a recipe for disaster.
Before You Commit
Running marathons is the furthest thing from easy. It’s not hard either.
I share my story of running my first marathon because it is important that you are committed 100% to proper training, proper nutrition and proper recovery to make your goal of finishing with a sub four hour marathon a reality.
In my first marathon 10 years ago, I wasn’t committed to the required training and it practically killed me.
During the summer and early fall of 2006, I would run a few three to five mile runs per week. Maybe a seven or an eight. Spritzed in were a few ten and a horrible fifteen mile jaunt (i.e. not run). I didn’t stretch. I didn’t foam roll. I drank…a lot. I signed up for the race at the expo which was 24 hours before the race. I didn’t tell anybody the craziness I was committing to (see: no moral support). I didn’t buy the right any running gear. I didn’t plan for someone to pick me up after the race. In other words, everything I’m going to teach you hear at Sub Four Hour Marathon Training Guide is the complete opposite of what I did that first marathon and exactly what I have implemented in my three most recent sub four hour marathon finishes.
Commit – Stay Committed – Commit Some More
Why did everything go so wrong the first time? It wasn’t because I didn’t know where to get information or whom to ask for help. It was because I didn’t commit. Not committing to the totality of the situation led to one of the craziest days of my life.
Understand that you will feel defeated at times in training and on race day. Understand that there will be days the last thing you want to do is run. Understand that everything won’t go perfectly.
As soon as you can understand this is no cake walk, you can commit. But to commit, takes action.
Right now. This moment. Commit.
Not next week. Not “I’ll think about it”. Not in the future.
Commit now or stop here.
Commit to the grind. Commit to the hours of training, running and recovery. Commit to the focus. Commit to it all right now.
If you don’t commit as you are reading these words, stop and come back when you are ready to commit.
I’m Not a Jerk
Most people think I’m a really nice guy…….and a JERK.
Why?
I’m blunt. I tell you how it is. Most people don’t like bluntness.
Marathoning isn’t easy. It’s doable for any and everyone…that commits to it.
I’m not a jerk. I’m that guy that tells you that once you commit to jumping off the cliff into the crystal blue water below, there’s no going back. It’s one hell of a ride and the second you splash into the cool water, you will be happy you jumped.
Commit to the jump. Commit to the marathon.
I’m honest and straight-forward. No sugar coating here ladies and gents.
Full Steam Ahead
I hated writing those last 500+ words. They oozed with negativity. Marathoning is a positive.
My running idol Dean Karnazes once said, “I always feel better after a run.”
I always feel better after a run. Each run is an accomplishment. Running a single mile is more positive than sitting on my ass even if it’s just a single mile.
Sure, I didn’t feel satisfied in 2008 when I finished the Rock N Roll San Diego in 3:56 when I was on pace for 3:10 up until mile 18.5. However, I still felt better that I had ran my fastest race up to that point.
Don’t look at this training as a negative. Every time you run, you are improving and learning. Not every run will go as planned.
Training and completing a marathon in under four hours is one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. It has brought about endless amounts of positives. You will find the same if you view each step, whether forward or backward, as a positive in regards to running a marathon and life.
Recap Time
- The #1 aspect to running a sub four hour marathon is commitment. If you’re not ready to commit, come back when you are.
- There will be up’s and down’s during training and the marathon. Accept each and push forward with a positive attitude never looking back.