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3 life lessons my marathon training has taught me
Running a marathon is no small feat – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Trust me.
When I signed up for the New York City Marathon in 2024, I knew it would be a challenge but my goodness I couldn’t have predicted how much it would teach me about life, health, and self-worth. Throw in an allergic reaction pre-run too, it was a wild day (IYKYK!).
Now, as I prepare to take on the London Marathon in April (Pinch me!!!), I’ve found myself reflecting on the lessons running has brought into my life.
I wanted to share my three key learnings with you all – as I truly believe you’ll find one that resonates with you – marathon training or not. I know I’ll be carry them far beyond the finish line.
1. I can do hard things
Running a marathon is as much about mental grit as it is about physical endurance. Every time I pushed through a difficult long run, when I kept going even though I didn’t think I could do it, every rainy-day run when I just wanted to stay in bed – I proved to myself that I can do hard things.
That realisation has been incredibly empowering. It’s not just about running; it’s about overcoming obstacles in every aspect of life. When you conquer something really challenging, suddenly that presentation at work or a tricky conversation with a friend doesn’t seem as daunting.
Marathon training has given me a new perspective on resilience and taught me to trust my strength, even when things feel impossible.
2. Food is fuel
I’ll be honest, there was a time in my life when I viewed exercise as a way to burn calories, not as something to enrich my life or improve my mental health. I ran to “earn” my food, focusing on aesthetics rather than nourishment. This is something I’ve worked on and thankfully moved past over time. It’s a driving purpose for what we do here at Kic, to educate and empower you all that you DO NOT need to ‘earn’ or ‘burn’ your food.
But marathon training? It completely cemented how much food truly does fuel our bodies.
You simply can’t run 20 kilometres without fuelling your body properly. Now, mid-run snacks like gels and dates and carb loading with the yummiest pasta the night before are essentials in my running routine!
This mindset shift can be so liberating. Listen to your body, honour your hunger cues, and give yourself whatever you need. Whether it’s carbs, veggies, or a post-run choccie milk (such a good post-run snack!).
3. I’m worthy of making time for me
It felt like a lot at first to dedicate SO much time to myself. But as the weeks rolled on, I realised how empowering it was to have carved out that time, just for me. When I prioritise time for me, I have more to give to others. This is something I’ve been trying to apply to my life when I’m not following a a training program.
When I signed up for the NYC Marathon, I thought it would be a test of endurance and that I’d walk away never wanting to do one again. But now, as I look forward to London in April, I do so with gratitude and excitement. I hope these lessons inspire you to take that next bold step and remember – you CAN DO HARD THINGS. You deserve to make time for yourself. And most importantly, you are worthy of taking care of your health – always.
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