10 Things I learned While Training for a Marathon

So, for today's post, I am going to do a little something different. Part of my goal in fitness and running is to pass along as much information as I can to those who are doing similar things. Today's post will be the top 10 things I have learned in the last year while on Marathon Prep. Granted, this is not an end all, be all list , but these are the top 10 things that I have learned. 

You had better get REST!

Sleep goes right along with RECOVERY! If your not getting enough sleep (MIN 8 hours a night) , then your not healing. If your not healing, then your chances for injury go up significantly. Granted, sometimes its not possible to get 8 hours in a night, but that is absolutely what you need to be shooting for in order to maintain good health and keep risks for injuries minimized. 

Be prepared to SACRIFICE- Especially from the 10 week mark on. 

Things that are important now, they will still be there, but , if your dead serious about this , then be prepared for things to bite the bullet for a while. Case in point, last fall, while putting on the final touches of my prep for the Marine Corp Marathon, it became college football season. Anyone who knows anything about me, knows that I live and breathe college football. However, due to marathon prep, I knew some sacrifices were going to have to be made. I made it to a grand total of 1 game last year, when I normally go 4 or 5 times. But, it all was in perspective. I knew what I wanted, I knew my goals, and I realized from the outset that I was going to either have to go "ALL IN" or get out of the kitchen. It comes with the nature of the beast. Marathons aren't easy. You have to be willing to sacrifice. 

GET YOUR NUTRITION ON POINT.... It will save you in the long run. 

This is something I speak from personal experience on. I did MCM with some help. However, some of the changes just didn't work for me. So, I kinda took some advice from coach and "winged it" . Bad mistake. It got me through, but I felt like there was more there. So, this time around, I invested in a Nutritionist to help me. We worked hand in hand together and kept a dialogue going. I can't explain what a big deal this was. During Knoxville, I had 0 energy dips except for nausea at the end. I felt PHENOMENAL! I was running and still am at the best I have ever been. I feel great. Getting compliments on my physique as well. A great nutritionist is INVALUABLE in this processes. Period. End of story. If you don't get this right, everything else will be effected. 

RESPECT THE TREADMILL! 

Its a weapon of great use. I used to hate it. I had some slang names for it, that coach has threatened me that if I ever use in her presence, I will pay the price. It wasn't until this winter I learned full on how useful they were. I feel like a better, steadier, confident runner. So often (GUILTY AS CHARGED) people go out way to fast. Folks, this isn't a 5k, a 10k, or even a Half- Marathon. This is 26.2 long grueling intense miles. This is a MARATHON. Not a Sprint. A MARATHON!!!  Treadmills teach that even, steady, split running. Sure its hard to tollerate the same sights for 6 hours. (Trust me, I did a 20 miler on it this cycle). My tip is put that thing in front of the TV. Turn on your favorite show. Binge watch netflix, get your mind off that distance counter. Cover it with a towel. Anything to keep your mind distracted. It actually goes faster and you become a steadier , more even paced runner on this tool. Its probably one of my favorite things now. 

Enjoy the ride.... 

This is something only 1% of the entire world population has ever done. This is a HUGE deal. Along with it comes that Sacrifice i mentioned in #9. Treat this as something HUGE because it is. To quote my fabulous coach " It's about YOU!!! It's Personal ! Your not racing anyone else. You only get 1 First Time. So, just enjoy the Experience. " This sums it all up in one nice little package. 

DON'T SKIP A WORKOUT..... PERIOD..... 

Unless your dead sick, but then it is possible to re-arrange a schedule. Training is where you put in the work. Imagine it all a giant puzzle. Each workout is 1 little piece. If a workout is missing, then the piece isn't there, and come race-day, things may or may-not come together like they should. Make this a PRIORITY! You are the one that signed up for this , now make this happen. One day at a time. One workout at a time. One set at a time. One mile at time. Make this happen. 

Find Different Roads to Run... 

Training takes a hell of a long time. If you are constantly running the same roads, the same routes, your going to get bored. Also, once your body adapts and learns the ins and outs, its going to land you at a plateu on your progress. So, get away from your normal. Go find different places to run. It will keep your boredom down and allow you to see new things, find new areas you need to work on, and keep making progress. 

B) Be prepared to be sore. Sore is the new Sexy.... 

Being sore means that you are doing the work. It means progress is happening. When I was training, I got to the point, if I wasn't sore, I knew I didn't go hard enough. I had to dig deep. This is NOT EASY. Be willing to go that extra mile. It will pay you in the end. 

A) STAY OUT OF YOUR HEAD!!!

If nothing I have said earlier sticks with you, let this sink in!! GET OUT OF YOUR OWN HEAD! What you put out into the world will comeback to you in reality. Sounds EXTREMELY stupid, but, I have been a first hand witness to this many times. Speak positivity into the world. You can do this. You were meant for this. This is YOUR TIME! Positive daily affirmations. Also, don't jump ahead thinking about the next day. It is 1 day at a time. One mile at a time. One set at a time , one rep at a time. STAY OUT OF YOUR HEAD! BE POSITIVE! 

FIND YOURSELF A SUPPORT SYSTEM.... 

Seriously , do this! Frankly , I couldn't have done this without the help of my fantastic coach , my teammates at KREndruance, my family, and my tight circle of friends. I will go ahead and say this. Some friends may not stick around. You may get ridiculed. Its because they don't understand what it is your doing or going after. If after once explaining it to them, they don't get it, understand and move on. Your going to make friends during this journey. They will more than likely become some of your best friends. Seriously, a support system makes this so much easier when going gets tough. 

AND FINALLY....... 

Race Morning- ENJOY YOURSELF!

After all this work, this is where the puzzle comes completely together. Lock in, load , and accomplish your mission! This is going to be the greatest moment of your life. Or one of them, thats for sure. Also, dont forget to run, smile , drink water, don't die, and have the TIME . OF . YOUR. LIFE!! 

So, there you have it. My top 10 things that I learned while on prep for marathons. Its a journey that is for sure. But one I am sure as heck glad I did. I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. Not a second would I go back and re-do. It was all worth it in the end. 

So, I hope you all enjoyed this. I will be back training for several different things in the upcoming months, so I will make sure to keep you all informed of what is happening as best as I can. Granted, somethings I am going to hold close , but eventually you all will know :)

So, until next time ..... 

John 

IRC # 2148 

Operation SS : Rocky Top (AKA Knoxville Marathon) Race Recap

So, I know this post is surprising. A month ago, this race wasn't even scheduled to happen. But, after the snafu in North Carolina of finishing the half, almost getting knocked out, and then being swept at 12.5 miles of the Marathon the next morning, I was devastated. I had spent a considerable amount of time prepping and then to have it come apart hurt. I spoke with coach almost as soon as I could get back to the room that day. We talked at length, and she mentioned, why not run Knoxville. My eyes lit up. Frankly, Knoxville was where I wanted to be. Its home. Rocky Top. The finish at the 50. I was like, HELL YEA, but lets do the half and be done. She was like NO, do the full. Your more than ready. I had to have it talked into me, but once that was completed, as soon as we hung up the phone, this became reality. The trick was to keep this one A SECRET . No one, except those on my deepest inner circle was going to know. This was FOR ME! Period. 

A little back story. This race is my baby. This race is where I shut the individuals mouth of whom said I couldn't or wouldn't complete a half. This race was my first big distance race. Since that Day, I had secretly dreamed of wanting to do this race. I also began my working relationship with my coach and teammates the day after this race last year. That day, after last years half, I set with my parents in the stadium, and I secretly said to myself, If I am back next year, I'll be hell bent to get my Medal for the full and the hat that goes with it. 

Once I got back home from Ashville, and got recovered, I had a quick half. Not an official race, just a long training run. I actually came up to campus, and went and looked at the closing miles of the race before just wandering around and finishing the miles. Because of a short turnaround, this was the only long run. Essentially, after a recovery week, I went right back into taper. 

The day before, I went and got my bib #. I would be 682. I followed my pre-race night before rituals with the exception of staying low profile. This was to be kept a secret till the VERY END. Not even many of my teammates knew this was going to go down. This was my sweet revenge. My time to enjoy it. That was just what i was going to do. ENJOY. EVERY. MIN. OF. IT. That night, before I laid down, I texted coach. My question was do I jump into the 6 hour pace group and ride or do I do my own thing. She was adimate with me. She wanted me to run my race. Pace groups and I have a love hate relationship and she didn't want me making mistakes. She left this one 100% on me. I was so excited. I could race. Goodness. After getting my gear together, I made my way to bed, as 330 was coming early. 

Sunday Morning, I woke up 330 am. Laid there till 4. This race start is 40 min away from my house but I wanted to be there to get parking. I ate my normal breakfast 3 eggs with cheese scrambled and Honey BBQ chicken tenders. Then I got my gear together and got up there. 

As I pulled in I became super nervous. Perfectly normal. Once in the waiting area, I got a seat , and just hung out and waited. I had my drink an hour before race time. Pretty soon it was time to load into the corrals for the anthem and the push off. 

It would be a few min since I was in group D, so they had to filter through before we rolled. As the anthem was sung, I was super nervous. I stood there and prayed and took some deep deep breaths. Also on my mind was my soldier, who always pushes me in the end, SSGT Goodwrench. 

My plan was simple. Don't do anything stupid, but if you wanna fly, get after it. You know the front so well. So many miles up here. This is your turf. Go play. Also, immediatley after the gun went off, they started blasting Rocky Top on the PA. Hell, that got the blood going. I started singing at the top of my lungs. Hell, the whole crowd was. We were off. 

The start was straight uphill, and then it hung left, and went right into Campus. The first mile, I tried not to come out too hard till we hit that down hill. Once we hit the downhill, I spread the legs for their first run. Then it immediatley climbed again, so I walked up that hill. Then we hit another downhill and a right hand turn that led us past where the Volunteers play Baseball and then onto Neyland. The next 3.5 miles are flat. So , I let it fly. I felt like a MILLION BUCKS! I was on my game. When we came to the bridge at Kingston pike , it was a steep hill. I slowed down. Once to the top, I knew what was next. A downhill, and then Sequoya Hills. 

Sequoyah Hills has been a sore spot for me the last 2 years. Finally I have figured it out. I have spent enough time in here that I remember where it goes. I was literally spitting fire through here. My plan was working. I was running my race and having a blast. The miles were flying by. Also, by this time was my time for my first nutrition dose. I took a dose of it , and stopped by the restroom for a min. Once back out, it was time to continue on . 

Once we turned left onto alta vista way, I knew my next monster was ahead. Noelton Drive. Its a 2 headed hill. you get up, and it flattens out for a moment, and then it grinds all the way. Once I made my way up it, the next stop was the greenway. 

While not 100% flat, the greenway is a nice calming point. Its kind of a transitional point before you head back up volunteer and turn left to start up twoards fort Sanders and the hospital. I have lost many pr's to fort sanders and childrens hospitial. By this time, I knew I was just 20 miles from home and then finish. I mentally told myself you get to 20 miles to go , or less, your gold. Its a flipping 20 mile training run which you can crush. 

Through The ft area , i calmed way down and tried to rest and prepare for the next half. I knew a lot of my crowd i had been with were running halfs and would be splitting. So I had to prepare to loose my support. 

Once i crossed the split,  It was half over. Do it again, your home. By this point, I was happy. I had just spit fire the first half, and had killed it! My plan had worked. I didn't care if I ran again or walked, I wasn't going to be denied. 

The next few miles, I realized maybe I had pushed a bit, and should have called the dogs early, but then quickly I was like. Stay focused. You will kill yourself. Lets go. The next few  miles snaked through downtown where I have run the Expo 10k so I kinda knew those. Made a little bit easier going. 

Mile 14 was a pick me up mile. We went through the 4th and Gill Neighborhood. One of my friends who I went to high school with lives there. I knew to be watching. Luckily one of the stops was at his house. They had oranges. I grabbed one, took a couple min, chatted, he asked me how I was feeling. I was tired, but this was early the 2nd half. He told me I looked strong. Real strong. A big pick me up. So, Cody, if your reading this, Thanks man. It really helped me to keep moving. 

By mile 16, I was hurting, but I had to keep pushing. I was somewhere around downtown. I was like this is too early. So, more nutrition , more water. Lets keep moving. 

By 17 My body hurt. I was headed towards The interstate and James White Parkway. I was pretty much reduced to a walk. I still had some spurts in me , but they were just short fartlek type burst of speeds. 

Miles 18-20, were solidary and lonely. I went back to my headphones as I was in direct sunlight and on the side of the interstate. It seemed to take forever. I knew though once I came off this interstate FINALLY that I was going to make it . 

Mile 20 I hurt. I could do no more than walk. Also, I was beginning to worry about time. I know, but yeah. I finally asked and they said, No , I wasn't the last one , and the line would be kept open till I got there. WOOOHOO! Revenge was going to be mine!!! Moral booster. 

By mile 20, my back was killing me. Hurting bad. I knew it was the heat and the pounding.  I was not going to give up. I also knew my folks were there waiting on me at Neyland at the 50. I called them briefly to give them a heads up where I was, to hang on, and I was fine. Then I kept moving, 1 foot in front of the other. 

Miles 21-23 were spent through Island home. This was the last stop before the end. By the time I got out of here, I was nauseus. Also, funny moment here. I knew I was overheating and needed to cool down. They had water and powerade. I grabbed 2 cups and tossed them on me. Not water. Powerade. All over me. Big deal. It was cold and that's what I needed. I also drank my last splashes of water out of my belt and kept heading home. 

Mile 23 I climbed the hill and headed over gay street bridge. It was time to eat, but I was sick. I was doubling over with cramps. I had 3 different options : My Gels, my PB Sandwich, or some good cookies my coach had sent. I tried all 3 but nothing worked. I was like fudge. So, I slogged on. 

The next 3 miles were the most uncomfortable. But Marathons hurt. It was literally left foot , Right foot, repeat. When I came across the bridge where 6 + hours ago I had started, a guy on his bike was like want me to ride in with you? Instantly, YES! I needed the boost. And this angel again was there for me. He stayed with me till the bitter end. As I came up the hill and turned the corner, there stood the hallowed house that Neyland built. 

From there it was down and into the stadium and then to the 50. I somehow found the will to run. For one moment, it didn't hurt. For those final few fleeting seconds, I sprinted. Don't ask me how. I don't know . But I did it. REDEMPTION. 26.2 COMPLETED! ROCKY TOP ROCKED! IT was done. 

The next thing was to get my water, and get my food and to my folks. By the time I got food, it was cold. I got ahold of my parents and then met up with them. I was euphoric. I had just done something that a year ago, seemed like a pipe dream. I had completed The ENTIRE Knoxville Marathon. This was my 2nd finish in my 3rd attempt. This one felt Almost better than Marine Corps if even possible. This was Everything I wanted it to be and so so so much more. 

Once my folks dropped me back at my truck, since I finished so late, the busses were not running, then I called coach. We both reveled in the joy of the finish. I was so happy. I can't explain the feeling of sweet redemption . This was by far the most fun I have ever had running. Spitting fire at the front. Surviving the sickness, the heat, the back. All of it. Just one great day that will probably never be topped because My parents were there to support me as I crossed the 50 an rocked Rocky Top! 

So, as I sit here, it has been a grand total of 369 days since I started Marathon Prep. I can effectively say right now... ITS FINISHED! I need a breather. 369 days is a LONG TIME. I have sacrificed so much to chase this dream. It hasn't been in vain either. I have enjoyed every minuet of it. I have grown so much through the process. It has made me a better Human. I am forever grateful I took the chance to step out and challenge myself. It was all worth it. 

I am sore. VERY VERY SORE. VERY TIRED. But that will go away. What won't is the sense of accomplishment. That will live FOREVER! 

In terms of races, I have some shorter distance races coming. I will talk about them as the time nears. But I am going to be shifting gears for the summer and getting ready for a Sprint Triathlon at home in the fall. Very excited to try out this new angle and see how I like it. I think it will be a LOT of fun. 

I will also be keeping a very high run base around 15 miles, so if the chance ever came, or if I decided to do another Marathon at somepoint, which no doubt, I will, then It won't take as long to get my body re-acclimated. The notion of running halfs is still fun to me and even more cool is to know I can get up and just go run them off the cuff. No big deal now. That's something I entend to hold on too. I have worked way to hard to let that go. 

I have made new friends, some of whom have become my 2nd family during this journey, and I can't have asked for any better. This has truly been an amazing journey. 

This blog is not going away, nor am I . I just need a breather from the big distance training. I will keep you all posted as things progress with Tri - Training. 

So, until next time we chat : 

From one "Idiot" to another: 

John 

-IRC #2148-