Want to Run a Marathon?
Last year I was in the same shoes… or should I say sneakers, that you are all currently in. I was getting ready to take on the Boston Marathon! Completing all 26.2 miles is probably one of the best things I have ever done and the training, fundraising, and soreness are all SO WORTH IT in the end!! Here you will find some of my best advice and the things that I learned throughout the process! I hope it helps! Please reach out if you have any additional questions!
Training tips:
Train in all weather. I had visualized myself running the marathon many times in my head and it was always sunny. However, that is unfortunately not always the case…and it was not the weather I predicted or hoped for.
Foam roll and hot yoga saved me! (I say hot bc it really helps you stretch but my muscles would already be super tired so don't push yourself. The more I go to yoga the more I realize that nobody really cares what you are doing so really just do what serves you even if that is Shavasana (laying down on your mat) the entire time! Also, yoga is expensive… about $25 a class where I go (Downunder in Brookline and Newton I highly recommend) but almost every place has a new client special (at a few studious I know there special is $30 for 30 days of unlimited yoga (there are also many other kinds besides hot). If you are very interested in yoga I did a whole post on it here!
Have some kind of way of recording your runs and your times. You can use a watch, I used this Garmin watch. However, I also used an app like MapMyRun and with that I could see where I went, my times, and was able to write notes! Just remember to stop it because it still thinks you are running even if you are driving haha.
Cross train! It can be yoga, bike whatever you want but definitely do it!
Diabetes tips:
If you have type one diabetes like I do, I highly recommend setting up a special marathon meeting with your endocrinologist to discuss a plan. I met with my doctor in pediatrics and she helped me SO MUCH. She had so many great suggestions about things to eat, ways to stay hydrated, how to manage my blood glucose levels and how much to decrease my basal rate. THIS WAS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I DID in regards to diabetes.
I trained and ran with Clif Blocks! Personally I liked the strawberry and watermelon flavors. They were about 10g of carbs each and they are very easy to carry and a good tasting way to get crabs. I FOUND OUT THAT YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO WEAR A BACKPACK DURING THE MARATHON (you may be able to get a special accommodation) SO MAKE SURE YOU PLAN WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO KEEP ALL YOUR FOOD/ METER/ SUPPLIES ETC.
My Continuous Glucose Monitor helped me so so much! I didn’t need to carry my meter with me and I could see my blood sugar the entire race as well as the trends of my blood sugars on my phone.
Have people placed throughout the race, people who can get you food, drinks, tissues, Advil, anything! Have someone you know every 7ish miles if you can!
Tips for an awesome day:
Get in front of EVERY photographer you can. At least least the year I ran there was one flat rate to buy the photos and IT IS WELL WORTH THE MONEY. This is a huge accomplishment and something you want to remember, take as many photos as you can.
After the day is over, write everything down. It is amazing how much you forget. I ended up writing my college essay on the marathon, I was interviewed by many newspapers, definitely write it down so you never forget!
It goes by way too fast so enjoy it. Sometimes when I am driving to babysit I will go on a road that is on the course and all these memories will come back. It is such an amazing experience! It is and it isn’t about finishing. Obviously that is the end goal but the most important part is the journey so really take it all in.
Have at least one friend on the team. Have someone you can text after to congratulate or to ask for advice/help anything. If anyone needs a friend I am happy to be it!
I am a huge TedTalk person! There are so many inspiring talks to listen to before your race or before a run. I definitely recommend and I have some great suggestions if you need any! I also have a whole post on my favorite talks you can check out here!
Fundraising tips:
Be passionate for the cause you are fundraising for! I can’t even explain how important this is! Many of the people who are going to donate to you are going to donate because they love and support you, not necessarily because they have a connection to your cause! There are so so many great organizations that need funding. Articulate why your organization is so important to you! Whether it is your own personal story with diabetes (like me) or someone you love, share it! I spent a very long time on my Crowdrice essay (which my parents said might be too long) but I thought it was worth the length. The people that did read it, would tell me how great and inspiring it was and I really think that personalization made a difference. I’ve linked my Crowdrice page here if you would like to check it out!
Be personal, I wrote hundreds of personal emails to people. I copy and pasted some of the words but I always started it off with something that was unique to the person I was sending it to. It took a lot longer than a generic email but it really paid off in the end.
Social media is AMAZING! As a 19 year old girl I use social media to connect with almost everyone I know! I posted and shared often, keeping people up to date with how much money I had raised and how my training is going. People are busy and by posting it and updating people you remind them that they should donate!!
Finally, make sure you say thank you! This is huge. People want to be appreciated for their generosity and it makes giving more enjoyable!
Running a marathon is much more than just RUNNING a marathon. It requires months of preparation, fundraising, and training. ANYONE can run a marathon. You just need to have the determination and the aspiration to do so! I hope this post helps if you are looking for some tips and if you are serious about running and have any questions about my experience running as an 18 year old or with T1D feel free to reach out I’d love to chat!
Love Always,
Casey
