Happy Friday! We made it through another week – hooray! 🙂
On average, marathon training plans can range from 12-20 weeks. That’s a LONG time to dedicate to ONE race. As you know, I’ve been training for the Shamrock Marathon since Christmas Day. Sometimes when you’re in the middle of training, you can often ask yourself “Why am I doing this”? I know I ask myself that question at least once a week! Are the early wake up times on the weekend worth it? Are the daily aches and pains worth it? Why am I running 9 miles on a Thursday? …and so on and so forth.
Now that I’m enjoying the taper period, it’s easier for me to identify things that kept me motivated for the past 10 weeks of training. I hope these tips will keep you motivated thorough your training cycle as well!
Going for a PR
Going for a PR is a great way to stay motivated when you are training. Yes, the workouts are going to be hard, but all of that hard work, time and effort will be worth it when you cross that finish link with a shiny new PR!
Visualize that Finish Line
I have done this during all of my marathon training cycles, especially when I’m in the middle of a bad run. Visualizing myself crossing that finish line is a positive image that makes me fight through to finish my run.
Think of all the swag!
This might make me sound shallow, but I love any swag and bling that I get from races! For the Shamrock Marathon I’m looking forward to scoring a beach towel and 3 race medals (for doing the Whale Challenge – 8K on Saturday and Marathon on Sunday). I’ll probably also pick up some clothing at the expo too. I often feel like the medal/swag is a nice reward for a training cycle and race.
Think about the experience
Running a marathon is truly a life changing experience. It takes a lot of grit and determination to run and finish a marathon. When you’re out on the course, you’re going to experience tons of feelings and thoughts, and that’s the beauty of a marathon. Remember, the training is the hard part, but the marathon is your victory lap!
Think about your post-race eats
Post-race food is the best! After running 26.2 miles, the food options are endless – pizza, tacos, ice cream, or maybe a nice brunch? Eventhough my race isn’t until March 18th, I’m already scoping out potential restaurants in the area for my post-race meal (don’t judge me)!
Do you have any tips on how to stay motivated during marathon training?
I’m linking up for Friday Five 2.0 with Rachel from Running on Happy and Lacey and Meranda from Fairytales and Fitness.
Darlene says
and this applies to half marathon training as well.
There’s bragging rights. New friends. New places…
kookyrunner says
Definitely!
Farrah says
hehehe, running swag and post-race eats are definitely some of the things that I look forward to! 😛 I’ve never run a full marathon but all of these applied well to the half marathon I did! (Yay for being able to cross it off my bucket list!)
kookyrunner says
It’s all about the food, lol!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
Of course I scope out where I’m going to eat afterwards! And that’s just for a half. 🙂 Sometimes it’s spontaneous but I’ve definitely targeted specific restaurants, too.
I do often visualize the finish line, too, although I admit that the medal itself doesn’t really motivate me. Don’t get me wrong, I like nice bling as much as the next person, but that alone definitely wouldn’t get me out there & I’ve done a lot of small races where the medal has just been so-so.
kookyrunner says
Okay I’m glad that I’m not the only one! For some reason food after a race tastes 10x better than food any other time, lol
Marcia says
No shame in loving the swag! If I set the right goal, I am able to stay motivated. For me now, running in new states/countries and knocking out those World Marathon Majors are what float my running boat.
kookyrunner says
Knocking out the World Marathon Majors is an awesome goal!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
If I’m trying to PR that always keeps me motivated. Since I have only trained for and run one marathon thus far, the excitement of running a new to me distance was also a huge motivator when I trained last summer and fall.
kookyrunner says
That’s very true. I was the same way when I ran the NYC Marathon because it was my first one.
Kimberly Hatting says
I’m a swag-loving gal, too…and often times feel shamed for it. I love the medals, though, because they represent so much more than just the finish line. Each one has several stories wrapped around it from the training to get there, the race day itself, and the actual finish line when you’re finished.
kookyrunner says
Me too! I will not run a half marathon if there is no medal and sometimes people look at me crazy when I say that! I feel the same way about my medals. I have them displayed on medal racks in my room and sometimes I can look at them when I’m in a running slump and they make me feel better. I like looking back on my accomplishments.
Meranda@Fairytalesandfitness says
The experience is definitely what motivates me! And the post race festivities if there is any!
kookyrunner says
Post race festivities like live music is awesome too!
Rachel says
I’m so excited for you! I think my biggest motivator is food. How lame am I?
kookyrunner says
Umm not lame at all because it’s one of my biggest motivators as well LOL
Karen says
The last tip is definitely my fav, but these are all great tips! 🙂
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Karen!
Wendy says
I have only done 12 week training plans (except for my disastrous first marathon, which was 16 weeks). I keep a high enough base that I can do that, but i”ll tell you that 12 weeks is long enough. Anything longer than that and I don’t know if I could stay motivated. Marathon training is hard, it’s intense, and it’s long!
kookyrunner says
For this marathon I did a 12 week training plan and I actually liked it. I tend to burn out with the longer training plans.
Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers says
I totally do the visualization thing too! One of my fav traditions for both marathons was that I had people email me cute memories, inspirational quotes, etc leading up to race day. I had a friend print ’em and cut them all out, and then they were in my race belt. At each aid station or point where I was feeling tired, I’d read one. It was so awesome!
kookyrunner says
That’s a really great idea! I might reach out to some friends and family and ask them to do that. My race is about 2 weeks away so plenty of time!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude says
All good points and applicable to the half marathon as well. I think for any training cycle remembering your why is so important!
kookyrunner says
Yup, totally applies to half marathons too!
Deborah Brooks says
The race swag is always a great motivator! These are all true for shorter distance races too
kookyrunner says
Definitely agree about shorter races as well. Good swag is good swag, no matter the distance!
The Accidental Marathoner says
Yay for taper time! I think the blogging community is so helpful in keeping us all motivated and accountable!
kookyrunner says
I totally agree with that! Doing the weekly wrap helps to keep me accountable for sure.
Angela Cardamone @marathonsandmotivation.com says
These are all great tips! I have trained for several marathons and it really can be hard to keep up the motivation at times!!
kookyrunner says
Definitely! Especially during those peak weeks!
Zenaida Arroyo says
My marathon is next month and cannot wait. But I am already thinking of my next one. 🙂
Right now I am staying motivated by going for that PR and picturing the finish line. I imagine myself smiling and laughing because I finished it and got a PR.
kookyrunner says
Same here! I’m not sure if I’ll get a PR due to some current injuries, but I still picture myself smiling as I cross that finish line.
Lisa @ Mile by Mile says
These are great ideas! I love post-marathon food. And it definitely motivates me to think about crossing the finish line and hopefully getting a new PR!
kookyrunner says
I’m all about the post marathon food!
Jenn says
Oh, those medals are everything!!!
Marathon training can be incredibly draining, but I think if you keep your eye on the prize, it’s easier to get through it.
Good luck to you!
kookyrunner says
Right? I love everything about those medals and I’ve never received a towel from a race before. That will come in handy during beach season 🙂
Esther says
I am all about the bling! Haha
But it is hard to stay motivated sometimes to stick to the plan when it is so long!
Keep up the good work!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Esther!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
This post came right on time! I need to try visualization…of the finish line and the food! I can’t believe your race is almost here, I have like a bazillion weeks to go, lol!
kookyrunner says
The visualization is so key for me since I often doubt my sanity when I am training for a race, lol.
I know it seems like you have a lot of weeks left until race day but it will be here before you know it!