This week I officially kicked off a new training cycle for my next full marathon in October. Seeing as I have many in my network who are not runners, or who are runners that have yet to try the marathon distance, I thought I’d share what it’s really like (at least for me) to get to that 26.2 finish line.

So, welcome to my Road to Chicago! Each Sunday I’ll be sharing a recap of the previous week’s training and #allthethoughts that go along with it.

Before you may bounce away thinking:

“Yeah don’t need one more person making me feel _[insert any emotion other than “inspired”]_ about my running,” let me be very clear:

This is NOT …going to be just a breakdown of my workouts and paces. #boring

This IS …going to be a place where I share the often not-talked-about aspects of marathon training.

Maybe you’ve had some of the same thoughts I have and felt it’s “probably just me.” Well friend, I am willing to bet money I’ve felt it too, as have others, and it’s 150% normal.

I also am on a personal journey to apply the lessons and mindset shifts I’ve honed in running to my life as a whole, which is a totally different uphill battle.

My hope is that you will walk away after reading each installment with one of the following:

  1. Motivation to go run (or simply be physically active)
  2. A sense of relief that the challenges and thoughts you experience while training are not a sign that you are any less than athlete than anyone else
  3. An appreciation for what your body CAN do physically, even if it’s not the same as others (myself included)
  4. A little insight into the mind of a long-distance runner trying to balance training, running (and growing) a business, a social life and getting enough rest to keep all the plates spinning

Next up: pre-training base building.

Yes, before you can even start a training cycle, you need a base of fitness and that sucker does not solidify overnight.

Here’s a recap of I’ve been up to the last 10-ish weeks leading up to Monday’s “official” start of the 16-week cycle.

Author

Channing Muller is an award winning marketing & public relations consultant and the principal of DCM Communications, based out of Chicago. She works with event professionals and business owners to grow and scale their businesses with refined marketing strategies developed through one-on-one and group consulting, customized marketing programs and public relations. She has been named a "25 Young Event Pro to Watch" by Special Events magazine and "40 Under 40" by Connect Meetings. Channing is an avid runner, lover of Labrador Retrievers, good food, delicious drinks, and an advocate for the American Heart Association.

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