Marathon Training

9 Tips from Marathon Training that Apply to Real Life

Published on September 21, 2020August 31, 2020 by Style & the SuburbsLeave a comment

The metaphor of running a marathon is used a lot in society. “Its a marathon, not a sprint!” they say. While the comparison to running a marathon is relevant to a lot of scenarios, the things you learn while training for a marathon are also super relevant to everyday life.

When you train for a marathon, everything from your heath, to your schedule, to your mental strength is pushed to the extreme. But these extremes teach us important lessons about ourselves that can be used in all aspects of our lives. I wanted to share some of the top things that I have learned while training that you can apply to your life as well!

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How I’m Preparing for a Virtual Marathon

Published on August 15, 2020August 10, 2020 by Style & the Suburbs1 Comment

As I’ve previously shared, after the Twin Cities Marathon went virtual this year, I decided that I still wanted to run the race. Training this year feels a little different, but I’ve been trying my hardest to stay focused and prepare for a different type of race. I thought I would share a few of the strategies that I am working on, in case you are considering a virtual race.

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Review: Apple Watch 5 vs the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro

Published on August 1, 2020July 8, 2020 by Style & the SuburbsLeave a comment

I have been an Apple Watch user for most of my time running. I originally purchased a watch to be able to run without my phone, and used my Apple Watch 2 for training and running for my first 3 marathons. After 4 years, the battery life on my watch was getting bad, and the software was buggy for the running app Strava. I decided it was time to upgrade to the Apple Watch 5.

After I start working with a running coach, I decided I still wasn’t happy with my new watch, and ended up getting ANOTHER watch just for running. I purchased a Garmin Fenix 6 pro, which is at the higher end of their watches, but had a lot of the features I was looking for. In retrospect, I should have just kept my old Apple Watch and gone with the Garmin.

I’ve had quite a few people ask about the differences, so I thought I would share the pros and cons of each. Right now, I use my Garmin for running and my Apple Watch 5 for every day use. Here are my thoughts on the two:

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Red White and Boom 2020 Virtual Race Recap

Published on July 11, 2020July 6, 2020 by Style & the Suburbs1 Comment

Last weekend, I ran my first “virtual” race. I usually run a few races during the spring and summer, but this year all races were canceled or moved to virtual due to the pandemic. Part of me was excited to finally race, but part of me was nervous about pushing myself in a race that I was running all by myself.

The Red White and Boom half marathon is one of my favorite races of the year. It’s always on the 4th of July and usually really hot, but its so festive and a fun way to kick off the holiday. I’ve been working with a running coach the last few months, so I was excited to test my fitness to see if my work is paying off.

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Why I Am Still Training To Run A Virtual Marathon

Published on July 4, 2020June 30, 2020 by Style & the Suburbs5 Comments

Until last week, I still had a slight hope that maybe the Twin Cities Marathon could happen this October. I imagined scenarios of how they could distance runners and make it somewhat “safe” in the spirit of the tradition of the marathon. Of course that was all wishful thinking, and the race was moved to a virtual event last week.

A virtual event means that you still run the race on your own and can submit your time afterwards. You still get a medal and finisher shirt, you just don’t have the same day-of experience.

For me, the day of experience of the marathon is the highlight of the fall. You work so hard to train, and then its a 26 mile celebration with lots of people cheering and tons of excitement to carry you when it gets hard. You also push yourself because of the runners around you, and I always think of my parents waiting at the end and how proud they will be when I see them. The thought of going out to run 26 miles on my own and try to run them fast seems honestly awful.

So why do I want to do it?

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26 Pieces of Advice for Marathon Training

Published on September 21, 2019September 21, 2019 by Style & the SuburbsLeave a comment

After training for 3 marathons, I finally feel like I know the right way to train to help set myself up for a successful race day. From just hoping I could finish my first marathon, to overtraining and ending up injured for my second, it took a third time in order to train smart and set myself up for success.

There is so much running advice out there, from people who should and people who shouldn’t be giving it. The most important thing to remember is to know yourself. Know when to push yourself into the uncomfortable places, but also know when to call it when your body isn’t feeling right. Remember at the end of the day, it all comes down to your body running!

There is only so much you can actually control during your training and on race day, but these 26 things are important to keep in mind throughout the process.