Let me just say that I’m about the last person to be giving you advice. Me, the lady with the doubts and the nervous stomach who hasn’t run a marathon herself in over a decade.
But I finished the Twin Cities Marathon this weekend. And today, I registered for another marathon …and four more half-marathons.
Because I’m hooked again. After 11 years of motherhood and focusing on just that…and almost only that…which is wonderful. But now I’m doing something for me…
So here’s what I learned over the past four months as I trained and juggled family time and cleaning the bathroom and working, and ran my first marathon in many, many years – and some are serious, and some are not – but I’m hoping that maybe they will help you get to the finish line…Because as mothers we deserve four or so hours of ‘me’ time now and then.
10 Tips For Moms For Running And Finishing A Marathon
1. Set realistic goals. I used to run sub-four hour marathons. But I knew from my training that I would not be running that time on Sunday. My training told me that my time would be about 4:15-4:30. And I finished at 4:26. Yes, my slowest time ever – but I finished exactly how I trained. And train how you feel comfortable. Don’t get injured in your training. Listen to your body. You’re busy – you’ve also got a job, kids, laundry, dinner, dishes, mopping and allthethings – focus on what you can focus on and put the time into what you can.
2. And in saying that – make time to train. I know I was crazy and did my long runs at 3am..but it’s because I put my family first and don’t want to carve out time away from my kids. So I run when my kids sleep.
3. Trust your training. I doubted myself big-time, but I trained hard for four months and knew my body and mind would carry me through. Know that you are ready.
4. Don’t worry about not having the most fabulous, hi-tech clothing. Yes – spend money on good shoes – but who cares what you wear – even wicking crap gets wet. Dress for the weather, dress comfortably, and dress in something crazy if it makes your family find you easier. And don’t forget a cute headband. And maybe one day they will invent make-up that lasts through 26 miles – but until they do…skip the mascara. Everyone looks like a half-dead zombie when the marathon is over.
5. Listen to music. Now, this goes against everything I’ve ever done. I’ve been such a purist and no-music-runner for so many years. But I gotta tell you – at mile 22 and the lowest of my low a little Low by Flo-Rida kept me going. The race is long. The music made it so much shorter. And I had all songs with super-explicit lyrics that I would never let my kids listen to.
6. Pack light and smart. I know as moms we tend to over-pack for everything and our purses are a pit that holds enough to sustain a family for about five days…but don’t bring all of that with you. I only brought some gels with me. And Jed brought me more at mile 21 in case I was running out. So bring some fuel. The only other items I could’ve used was kleenex as I really suck at the farmer nose blow thing and honestly I don’t want my kids to think it’s okay to do that. So I need kleenex for the nose.
Why I should not let Jed take pictures…
7. Enjoy the crowds! Thank them! Give each and every kid you can a high-five if they’ve got their hands out there. I swear using the energy from the spectators gives you that extra kick to keep going. Be the mom on the course and also tell your fellow runners how awesome they are as you pass them and leave them in the dust. And hand out gummy bears.
My arms look scary – don’t hug those kids!
8. Know where your people are going to be..and have people. We made a plan ahead of time for where Jed and the kids would be – so I had something to look forward to – and seeing them at miles 5,12,21 and the finish line is what kept me going. And getting extra kisses and hugs along the way was better than any Powerade. I’ve never had my own ‘little-spectators’ before..and something about having a little voice yell out “You got this, MOM!” is certainly the best cheer I will ever hear. I admit I cried a few times because of THEM. I have people!
9. Relax. Remember that you aren’t going to win – and sure maybe you want a PR – but you know just remember to enjoy the race. It’s really just a four hour party. Run hard and run focused and run to finish – but remember to run to have fun too. Smile because frowning makes you look old…like this…
10. Dig deep. You know how when you have a baby and the last few moments before the kid is out you think that you cannot do this for one more second? And that you will never do this again? Yeah, men have no idea what pain is. Muscle cramping and thinking you’re going to collapse on the road at mile 23 has NOTHING on childbirth. You’re a mom – you’ve made miracles and no amount of pain will ever compare. So remember that and dig deep to get past those last few miles because trust me, as soon as you cross the finish line you’re going to be signing up to do it again.
One Happy Mom, Two Happy Kids, One Tween With Attitude = perfection.
Because the prize is so worth it. YOU GOT THIS!
As someone just getting into running and nowhere near ready to sign up for a marathon reading this was probably jumping the gun, but the tips were great. I absolutely love the last picture – two adorable smiling kids and one adorable attitude-y tween, just perfect!
Heather recently posted..The Laundry Trials
Congratulations on your success Tracy!! You should be VERY PROUD of yourself!! Your beautiful, inspiring and truly the EPITOMY of an AMAZING woman and mother!! We have to take care of ourselves and fuel our own spirits to enable us to be BETTER mothers! Your beautiful family is so blessed by your heart!!
You are so awesome, Tracy! I’ll stick with halves. I have no desire to do a full…yet.
I remember right before I ran my first half last march, I said I never wanted to do another half. After the race, however, I was hooked. Can’t wait to do it again.
Leigh Ann recently posted..InstaZoe
I cannot believe you did this.
MInd over matter.
Whoa, and highest of high fives. xo
Alexandra recently posted..There’s a Spine In There, You Know
You are my hero!
I had absolutely no doubt that you could pull it off, AND look cute in the process. So proud of you!
Alison recently posted..Writing The Hard Stuff
You are a rock star, Tracy. I love that you listened to explicit music. Badass rockstar.
I have utmost respect for endurance athletes, probably because it is not in my wheelhouse at all. I don’t have the desire in me to do this (and am a long way from having the ability) which makes it all the more impressive to me. That said, I do think it would be awesome to do a long distance backpacking trip someday.
Shannon recently posted..Kryptonite – A Guest Post by my 14 Year Old Son
You are an amazing inspiration!
maybaby recently posted..sometimes fortune cookies are true
Congratulations, Tracy! I was wondering about you on Sunday, but knew that you would be awesome. I don’t say this lightly, but I think you are a great inspiration to a lot of other moms (including me) and most importanly to your girls. You go, lady! 🙂
#10 is so true. When I’m on a long run and starting to wilt I think “shit, I was in LABOR for 45 hours, I can do THIS for another mile or two.” It really helps.
You are such an inspiration my friend–congratulations again on such a marvelous race. I’m really tempted to try for the marathon….maybe Grandma’s?????
Many many congrats!!! Way to go. I’m signed up for my first half this winter and your lessons I think apply to any endurance event. During my lows I expect to be coming back to this post to remind me what’s possible. Congrats!!
Yay, Tracy! So proud of you!
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See? I told you this was “All you”.
congratulations my friend, enjoy all the spoils you deserve. (that means chocolate and cookies 😉 )
Kir recently posted..For When I Wish I Had all the Answers
A four-hour party.
Yes.
It’s exactly that.
Damn, you make me want to do it again.
julie gardner recently posted..Win Win
Okay, the part about “You got this, MOM!” brought tears to my eyes!! What a wonderful & hard-worked-for accomplishment! And how good for your kids to see you set a goal, train for it & DO it!! Way to go! (Almost makes me want to start running, almost…but I seriously loathe running, so I will have to think of another goal to work towards!)
Rock on, lady! I’m so proud of you and so inspired! Love this post. Love the photos. I just wish I had been in town to cheer you on! Next year!
Kate Hopper recently posted..Comment on NICU giveaway by Kate
What you said about the high fives made me cry. You are so awesome. I have never had a desire to run a marathon, but you almost put me there.
Amanda recently posted..A Hair’s Breadth
Congrats! So inspiring! I haven’t run a marathon since having the littles. #8 made me teary and #10 makes me think, hey maybe I COULD do another marathon! You are amazing and thank you for the inspiration!
So immensely proud of you. I knew you could do this. Can’t wait to hear all about the next marathon and the next one after that!
PS love your Jed shouldn’t take pictures caption =)
Marta recently posted..How To Throw a Princess Party.
YAY! Way to go, Tracy!
You are awesome and inspiring – and I am so glad it was awesome and inspiring for you! 🙂
Kim@Co-Pilot Mom recently posted..Head and Shoulders
Congrates on finishing within ur traing window. Awesome job! Music is must IMO also which is why I like training better than races sometimes (mp3 banned at usat sanctioned events). Question do you run with a Garmin? My gps and heart rate monitor is sort of my pacifier (used a mothering analogy for you 🙂 )
Way to go! I never doubted that you would finish. You really got bit by the bug to sign up for all those races. I swore I *wasn’t* going to run Grandma’s next June but I might have to if you’re going to be there. Plus it would make a nice even streak of 5 years in a row for me. We’ll see….
Also glad to hear I’m not the only mom with a running songs playlist that includes lots of song with explicit lyrics. 🙂
Ok so you’re my hero…I’m certain I could never run a marathon! Congrats and keep it up!
And… Number 11… Listen to your body. Your body is pretty amazing. During training it will tell you when you have the physical reserves to run faster and longer. I don’t worry if I have an average run, or I dont feel I can run faster, as most of the time, the next run I will feel full of energy and feel able to push closer to my limits.
Shaun
shaun recently posted..Biosync G1000 Foldable Manual Treadmill With 3 Position Incline Review
Congratulations!
You’ve inspired me. And I think you are amazing. xo
Elaine A. recently posted..Old School Blogging – 5 Favorite Blogs
So good. I cannot even fathom running a marathon. I really enjoyed this. And YOU are awesome!!
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