9 Valuable Life Lessons Running Marathons Taught Me
Only a small percentage of the population in the world is dedicated enough to run marathons. They’re pretty daunting for most people and require much time and effort.
But the amazing feeling of accomplishment when you reach the finish line makes them truly worth it.
Running marathons provides wonderful benefits physically, socially, spiritually, and mentally too. But did you know you could learn valuable lessons about life too?
Competing in a marathon was a big dream that I proudly accomplished. I realized quickly that doing hard things in the sport makes me a better person in all other areas of life.
The good news is marathon runners don’t have to finish first. The end goal is to push yourself to be your best right to the finish line. It’s a life-changing experience that brings fulfillment, resilience, strength, focus and success.
I’m excited to share with you the 9 Valuable Life Lessons Running Marathons Taught Me. These are practical strategies to help us know how to run the race of life.
Being able to take part in these endurance events goes beyond just a physical feat but there are important principles we can observe that will help us as we navigate the ups and downs of life.
9 Valuable Life Lessons from Running Marathons
When I began my running journey, I did it merely to stay in shape. As I got into a routine, I had more ambitious goals and yearned for long runs. My first step was training for a half marathon. When I accomplished that, I wanted to attain a higher level in my journey, and before long I was running marathons.
Looking back, I’ve realized there are Valuable Life Lessons Running Marathons Taught Me. When we are intentional there’s always something we can learn from what we do.
What area are you passionate about that you can use to learn life lessons? Is it a sport, hobby, career, volunteer role, or the crucial job of raising your children? You can choose today to use your passions as a way to grow and change and dream big dreams!
I can’t wait to share the important lessons I’ve learned from marathon running. Let’s get started.
The Marathon Journey Taught Me the Power of Setting Goals
Whenever you have big dreams in running, you should set goals and be clear about your destination. Your dreams should be visible to you daily so a good idea is to write them down on a vision board.
Having that big picture in front of you motivates you to put in consistent effort even when there are challenges and roadblocks along the way. It will help you keep focused, persevere, and grow in resilience. As you work towards your dream, celebrate the small wins and victories. This makes the journey enjoyable.
Part of the goal-setting process includes being clear on your why. What’s the reason for running a marathon? This clarity helps you to keep moving forward even in the face of trials.
“My easy runs are my sanctuary. Running cleans up the cobwebs and allows for a clear head so I can have more space to be able to handle other things in life.”
L.A. runner Rio Lakeshore
Lastly, it’s important to take time to break each of your big goals, down into smaller milestones. Remember each small step you take leads to the next one and the next one until you reach the finish line.
I learned to leave my comfort zone
Marathon running taught me to leave my comfort zone. Our comfort zone is our stagnant zone. The definition of “comfort” is “a place or situation where one feels safe or at ease and without stress.” It’s a place where things may come easy. We can sit back and just coast through life.
Some may think it’s silly to have big dreams in running, but for me, doing hard things in the sport makes me a better person in all areas of my life.
When we choose to step outside our comfort zone, we not only automatically become more productive, but it can also foster creativity in ourselves, bringing us to a place we never knew we were capable of being.
It can help us to be more flexible in the future when the unexpected happens because we’ve trained ourselves to overcome the fear of the unknown, leaving the ease of our mundane lives.
There’s something freeing about doing what’s uncomfortable because you know you’re one of the only ones who are willing to step up and step out into that unknown territory.
When I push myself outside of my comfort zone, I build more confidence that dreams can come true and in my abilities to achieve them. There’s something exhilarating about pushing past your limits and dreaming dreams larger than yourself. Running marathons taught me that.
“The real purpose of running isn’t to win a race; it’s to test the limits of the human heart.”
— Bill Bowerman, co-founder of Nike
Discipline is a Valuable Life Lesson Running Marathons Taught Me
Running a marathon, and having a training schedule taught me how to discipline my body daily. I’m a mom of three very active boys. My husband leaves for work by 8 a.m., and we homeschool, so I can’t just take time out for a mid-morning run.
At night I’m the Uber driver for all their activities and I sometimes work as well. To get my miles in, I have to get up extra early. I need to get my workouts done before the day and before my husband leaves for work. I want to ensure I’m present for my boys during the day.
I have had to discipline myself to get up early and go even when I don’t feel like it. Most mornings I don’t wake up energized, bouncing out of bed, and excited to get out the door!
I have to treat my workout as a priority to get it done. My workout clothes are set out the night before to eliminate any excuses in the morning. I schedule my workouts for the week on my calendar on Sunday evenings, and it makes them feel like an appointment. If it’s on my calendar, it’s most likely going to get done.
When I’m training for a marathon, I am disciplined to get my training done, but I also am disciplined to watch what I eat, track my progress, and keep a positive mindset. As I follow my training schedule, my mental game remains strong and I’m able to say no to my fleshly cravings (i.e. sugar and Netflix).
I’ve often been tempted to quit on my goals but I’ve learned that to be a successful runner, you need to keep in mind this important fact: pain is temporary but regret is forever. No matter how big your dreams are, if you remain diligent, work hard, and refuse to give up, you will achieve success.
Marathon Running Taught me the Value of Preparation
You can’t just wake up, get dressed, and show up on the day of the marathon and expect to reach the finish line. You need to prepare adequately and have a clear vision.
Whether it’s your first marathon or 10th one, nothing can replace the value of a progressive training plan to guide you weekly and prepare you for race day.
Those long training runs need consistency. In life, when your vision is clear and you’ve taken every step to prepare for your goals and dreams, you’ll be confident and ready to achieve success.
Work Hard but also Take time to Rest
Nothing can replace the power of hard work and dedication toward your big goals and dreams in running. The more you run and practice, the more you’re prepared and develop resilience and tenacity.
But it’s also important to take time to rest and explore other interests such as reading, being creative, or going out with loved ones.
Every successful runner knows that it’s important to take rest days seriously. It helps your body to recover, and recharge, and the end result is you’ll be able to go harder afterward.
You’re stronger, more efficient, and more productive when you take time off your goals to rest, get a good night’s sleep, implement a digital detox, or invest in a little bit of self-care.
Marathon Runners can Stretch for another Goal
One of my valuable life lessons from running a marathon is how to stretch for another goal. When I’m working towards a running goal, it’s funny how I become more productive and focused throughout the day and start committing to goals in other areas of my life.
It helps direct me to be more goal-oriented and purpose-filled in my activities. When I reach my destination, I always feel amazing and confident that I can achieve the goals and dreams I have in all areas of life.
When I began my running journey, I did it merely to stay in shape. I set a goal to run my first half marathon. After I finished, I decided to set a goal to run a full marathon. I was already halfway there, so why not?
When I crossed the finish line, something nagged me on the inside to set an even harder goal and a new challenge— to qualify for the Boston Marathon, a feat many runners aspire to, but not many are willing to commit to. That goal fueled me for quite some time so I got on a training program, and managed to hit it!
Then I had a new goal. Break a 3-hour and 30-minute marathon, which I did. Can you see how each goal spurs you toward the next one? When I hit a goal, it makes me want to stretch for a new one, and the cycle continues.
Each goal is a stepping stone to a larger dream, and I don’t think I’d be so goal-oriented or driven without my big running dreams!
Running a Marathon teaches you to Pace Yourself
During marathon training, take time to enjoy the fresh air, listen to your favorite podcast, and remain grateful for the strength and opportunity to participate in a race.
From the beginning of the race right to the end, it’s important to pace yourself. Don’t go too fast or too slow. Otherwise, you’ll quickly experience burnout or get injured if you’re at full speed ahead the whole time.
You need to rest, rehydrate, and refuel. Self-care is key so you can’t push yourself to run faster than your body can manage.
Remember these are endurance events. If you compare yourself with others, feel left behind, and go too fast especially when you’re at the starting point you’ll be discouraged, despair, and experience burnout before you reach your goals and dreams.
Similarly in life, one of the important lessons you need to learn is the value of taking care of yourself and knowing your limitations. Set realistic goals and prepare for the long haul. Have a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly plan, make sacrifices, work hard, face challenges and failures head-on, and learn from them.
Life is a journey and it may take a long time to fulfill your vision so take the opportunity to enjoy every single day. We miss out on so much of the present because we’re focused on the next mile marker. It could be the next promotion, the next weekend, the next time you go on a vacation, and even the next marathon.
“It’s about embracing the whole process and the training. You can get so much out of the experience.”
L.A. runner Rio Lakeshore
You need a support system to run long distances
The only way to reach the finish line when you run a marathon is through the support of good people. The fellow runners, your family and friends, volunteers, your coach, and even the cheering crowd will encourage you when you feel tired and are tempted to quit.
These people could be holding a sign up that makes you smile, clapping, or shouting for you to keep going or giving you water so that you’re hydrated and motivated.
In your personal life, you need people to support you as well. These are cheerleaders who help you take the next steps when you’re stuck or uncertain, push you through when things get tough, and keep you accountable to reach your goals and dreams and are there when you cross the finish line.
Instead of trying to do it all on your own, the support of others may be one of the best things you can do for your emotional, spiritual, and mental health.
Setbacks are inevitable in life
Even after countless hours and months of training hard for a marathon, you will have unexpected challenges. It’s usually something you can’t control like becoming sick or having bad weather on the day of the marathon.
These disruptions should not throw you off the big picture. You may be unprepared for them but you can still reach your goals.
The best thing you can do when something you didn’t prepare for happens is to remain focused on your goal and what you can control but still be flexible and adjust to what you can’t control.
Marathon runners are some of the strongest and most dedicated people you’ll find. It takes a lot of effort and time to run long distances but the rewards are worth it.
I feel like every time I’m on a training run, I’m learning valuable lessons about life. It’s so crazy how our pursuits can teach and train us if we’re willing to let them.
I’m an ordinary runner who chooses to use my sport to push myself to another level. I don’t have to be an elite or a great to do that. I can just be me. There are the 9 Valuable Life Lessons Running Marathons Taught Me.
They include setting goals, leaving your comfort zone, pacing yourself, stretching for more goals, being disciplined, the value of preparation, working hard and resting, having a support system, and embracing setbacks and unexpected challenges.
These important lessons have shaped me to be a better person, and that is why I will continue to dream huge in running, a sport that is my passionate pursuit. You can implement these lessons in your professional and personal life too and before long you’ll achieve success.
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Remember, you are a winner. Just run YOUR race!
