How I Trained for the Most Perfect Marathon

This past Saturday I ran the full Savannah Rock ‘n Roll marathon – my first! To say that it was a perfect experience is an understatement. I’ll tell you what motivated me to register to run, how I trained successfully, what were my challenges, and what I would do differently next time.

First let me assure you that running a full marathon was never on my bucket list of things to do before I die. When I ran the Savannah half marathon three years ago, I said I would never do it again. Road races start too early for me (I’m a serious weekend late sleeper) and they are generally way too crowded for me. While I thoroughly enjoyed my half marathon running buddies, the event itself wasn’t my cup of tea.

So if I didn’t get hooked by the half marathon, why on Earth would I sign up to run a full marathon?

My online B-School friend Jina of TheHappyHealthyTruth.com who lives in Minnesota posted on Facebook earlier this year that she was searching around for a new marathon location for herself. I commented something to the effect of “Tempt me. I may meet you there.” She said something like “Game on!” Obviously there wasn’t much I wouldn’t do to jump at the chance to meet her in person!

We thought of some great marathon locations like San Francisco, Chicago, and Asheville but we were both very uninterested in running hills. I told her the Savannah Rock ‘n Roll marathon is a mostly flat course though I felt guilty for suggesting it since Savannah is only a few towns over from where I live and wouldn’t have to put in equal travel effort. She loved the idea since she had never been to Savannah before. The date was perfect as it gave us plenty of time to train and it was being held in the cool but not cold month of November. We lucked out big time: race day was sunny, a few clouds, and in the 50’s and 60’s (degrees Fahrenheit).

Perfect location, date, and weather.

The next big decision to make was accommodations. Even though I live close to Savannah, when 17,000 runners and their people come to town, traffic becomes a nightmare. For the half marathon three years ago I drove over at 4am, rode the shuttle bus, and stood in the cold dark for too long in a trash bag. Though I was with great people, this wasn’t my ideal way to be ready and excited to run.

So for the full marathon I insisted on staying downtown Savannah the night before, just steps from the starting line. While this was most definitely not the economic route, it was by far the most perfect plan. I awoke one hour before start time. Sleeping two plus more hours and not dealing with cars and buses before running 26.2 miles did make a big difference for me.

Perfect hotel. Perfect start line arrival.

I trained in a great pair of hot pink Asics running shoes. I was concerned that I would wear them out before race day, so I ordered what I thought was the same model of shoe, but in white. Once they arrived they were similar, but not exact. It took some time to break them in and the left shoe numbed my toes during many training runs. I ran 20 miles in my pink shoes and finished feeling like I was running on my ankle bones. It had to be the white shoes with newer cushion for race day. Numb toes were better than crushed ankles.

The afternoon before race day when I was packing up my gear at home, I stubbed my left pinkie toe on the bed post. REALLY!?! Months of injury free training and in the 11th hour I damage my toe? Oh it hurt so bad.

But guess what?

A seasoned runner whom I respect told me to loosen the lower laces just a wee bit over the toe box to accommodate the slight swelling of my little toe. It seemed to me like compressing it would have made more sense, but I trusted his advice. I did what he said. Not only did my hurt little toe not bother me until mile 24, my toes never went numb. Guess I should have loosened those laces a lot sooner!

Perfect shoes.

When I started training I aimed to run three times a week. I started with 6 mile runs which were a slight stretch at the beginning. I had been an avid walker and was swimming in between runs. I built up to 6 miles, 6 miles, 9 miles per week with my long runs on Sundays. Each Sunday I would add a mile until I reached 20. During the week when I would run 6 miles, sometimes I’d push and get in a 9 instead. When I didn’t swim, I would do yoga, but that mostly fell away toward the end and I just ran.

I knew that if I could run 20 miles alone and not go crazy, that I could run 26.2 with a dear friend and with a lot of event distraction. I was always sure to load up my iPod with great podcasts, interviews, audio books, and music to babysit and motivate my mind.

Perfect training.

I know the key for me in this entire process was my diet. My minutes per mile decreased over time effortlessly. My distances lengthened without much concern. My recovery was paramount and it included diet and rest. After my runs I would drink a post-exercise citrus quencher and/or coconut water. After my long Sunday runs I would add a Blendfresh recovery smoothie made of coconut water, frozen pineapple, Blendfresh vanilla protein, Blendfresh green (and sometimes orange) powder, and chlorella tablets. This all on top of my regular Fruit Til Five™ daily lifestyle. Yes, this marathon was predominately fruit powered!

I am now in the habit of drinking 3 fluid ounces of citrus oil quencher first thing in the morning and last thing at night, not just after running. While my muscles would be sore after my long runs, the next day they would be 95% recovered. Eating and drinking hydrating and alkalizing foods and beverages is key to recovery. Within 30 minutes after my long run, the Blendfresh smoothie would provide the calories, hydration, protein, and the natural food sugars I needed to feel stellar again in a short amount of time. I never ran two days in a row. Rest is crucial. I might have swam, done yoga, or had a total rest day depending on my schedule, energy, weather, and desire.

Before the marathon I ate 2 bananas and drank some Earl Grey hot tea. During the marathon I ate 2 bananas, drank 2 small Blendfresh smoothies made from bananas, ice, coconut water, protein powder and red veggie/fruit powder, drank 2 small coconut waters, several cups of water, and a bottle of water. Immediately after the marathon I had water, coconut water, tea, carrot turmeric juice, and a box of cut pineapple in a hot epsom salt and essential oil (Bergamot & Lavender) bath tub!

Perfect recovery.

My husband and Jina’s boyfriend were our event support crew on bicycles and they were beyond awesome. In fact, I think Jina and I were some of the most envied runners in the crowd! At miles 13, 18 and 23 the guys brought us coconut water, Blendfresh smoothies, and bananas. While the event provided Gatorade (which we didn’t drink) and water (which we did drink) during the route, having the added premium fuel and hydration was supreme. Plus it was just so great to see them.

Our run was in full party mode through mile 18 under sunny and partly sunny skies. We were happy, joyful, and excited. Then around miles 19 and 20 we had to start digging in as our muscle started to tire. At mile 23 my husband said that we were definitely more serious in mood. Mile 23 was the ugliest with wind blowing against us on a dull stretch of bleak parkway. Mile 24 was our toughest mentally because we knew how close we were to finishing but the mile seemed to never end. Mile 25 was exciting because we knew that we were so close and the crowd got bigger and more cheerful. And then it was over! Just like that!

Perfect marathon!

I am so blessed and honored to have met Jina and run together. It was a great way to connect through training (albeit long distance), race day planning, and running 26.2 miles together. We could not have been more similar or compatible running buddies.

Over the months, training became my lifestyle. How I “found” the extra time to run wasn’t an issue because I built up my time and distance slowly. And because it was a priority, I made & scheduled the time to run. Plus I’m already pretty efficient with my time by practicing these habits HERE.

My challenges were few: numb toes in new shoes, occasional blisters or friction spots, a busted pinkie toe, and starting my menstrual cycle the day before race day. I am thankful there were no major hurdles.

If I did it again, this is what I’d do differently: nothing. It truly was the perfect training and marathon experience!

PLANT POWERED 2014 SAV RNR MARATHON from CHAD GOLDEN on Vimeo.

Thank you to all of our supporters who sent in messages and photos of cheer. All of it helped us feel so loved and celebrated. Thank you!!!

Sweet Memories

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