3 Ways to Make the Most of Your Marathon

Yes, completing a marathon in its entirety is an incredible accomplishment. But we all know the truth: the hard part is already done. You signed up, started training, spent months (or longer) working hard, sacrificing, facing doubt and defeat, and yet still made it to this moment.

There’s nothing that race day will do that will take away from the incredible achievement you’ve already reached.

But the journey isn’t done. It’s time to celebrate. Time to celebrate yourself, your community, and the process itself. And there are three ways we can do that.

First off, smile.

No seriously. Smile and pick your head up. Take in where you are. Whether it’s the expo, the start line, mile 9, or the finish. This event was put together to celebrate you, take that in and smile. You earned it.

Second, this party is a weird one.

Acknowledge that. A marathon is a party, but a weird party. It’s going to hurt and there will be struggle. But that’s not bad or a sign you did something wrong. It’s part of the process! Embrace it, be curious about it. 100% of the runners out there with you will experience a struggle today. When you find yours, face it, smile at it, and watch yourself overcome it.

Third: Finish the Race Early

And third, the race is 23 miles long. The afterparty is 3.2 miles long. And then everything continues beyond the finish line for however long you want.

Here’s what I mean…

Each one of the final three miles is an opportunity to deepen your journey beyond the goals you set, and the growth you’ve achieved. Reflect, be grateful, and celebrate, one mile at a time. Like this.

Mile 24: Reflect

Reflect on how far you’ve come. How much you’ve grown. How the you today is the greatest version of yourself. The ups and downs, the highs and lows, the memories. Where were you before you started this, back when a marathon was an impossibility. Look at where you are today!

Mile 25: Gratitude

Look around at the people around you, supporting you, cheering you on, offering aid. Look at the spectators, the volunteers. Remember your friends and family that stuck with you and allowed this journey to exist. Take this mile to thank everything and everyone that got you to this point. Make this mile about the support, the love, and the community you’ve built and been apart of the last few weeks, months, or years. The final mile will be yours. This one is theirs.

Mile 26: Celebrate yourself

This might feel like the longest mile of your life. Because it is. It’s not just one mile, but nearly one and a quarter. Eventually it will be over, so Mile 26 should be relished. As much pain, fatigue, effort you’re feeling, and as badly as you want to get to the end, take this mile to celebrate early (you’ve earned it). Mile 24 was about reflection, Mile 25 is about gratitude, and Mile 26.2 is about Celebration. As much as we love our friends and family, as grateful as we are for our coaches and training groups, it’s you that got you to this point. You’re the one that did the work, sacrificed, went through pain and doubt, highs and lows, growth and setbacks. And yet you’re still here. You are finishing. Make this all about you, from Mile 25.0 to 26.2.

And then it’s done. Or this chapter is done, there’s still so many more ahead.

Congratulations.

Celebrate.

Rest.