1. You can dream about it and do all the preparation in the world but you’re not going to know what the conditions are like and how you’re going to react until you’re there in the moment, standing on the start line and at every marker point after that.
2. It’s completely unpredictable. It could throw it down with rain all day, or be 30 degrees and burning sun on your face. Your body could give way or pull a muscle when you least expect it. What matters most, is getting comfortable with knowing you have little control over what get’s thrown at you in each moment. You can only control your reaction and choices thereafter.
3. You’re in it for the long game. There’s going to be highs and lows along the way over and over again. One minute you’re feeling great and having success, the next a spanner is in the works and you feel defeated and broken. Staying focused on the end goal and knowing those ups and downs are completely normal, will change your perspective and ability to bounce back.
4. You’ll have friends and family cheering you on, often at the start and the end (and that’ll make a difference and give you a boost) but for the most part, you’ll be completely alone with your own body working non-stop and only your thoughts for company. The thoughts you choose to water are the ones that will grow. Stay resilient and confident.
5. If you can visualize yourself crossing the finish line, you’ve already won. Write it down, draw it, make a mood board, and think over and over how it will feel. Tell yourself you’ve already achieved all you want to and you’re halfway there. Convince yourself you can’t do it, it’s too hard, too competitive, or focus on how tired you feel and you can bet, it’ll be 10 times harder. The mind is a powerful machine, use it to your advantage.
6. Even if it takes you 8 hours to finish, you’ve still completed a marathon. Don’t look at anyone else around you or compare your body, strength, or fitness. They have their own story and you have yours. You could walk parts, take a break or slow down but as long as you keep going, putting one foot in front of the other you will reach your goal. Often the ones that achieve the most are simply the people who refuse to give up.
7. Don’t think too much about 26.2. Just concentrate on one mile at a time. Think of each mile as a mini achievement and celebrate everyone. When you break it down, something overwhelming becomes manageable and even fun. Made your first sale? Wrote a blog? Designed a product or uploaded a YouTube video? Every single step is a progression and deserves to be celebrated.
8. The road might be flat, it might be hilly, muddy, or crowded. Your trainers might rub or you trip and fall. You can’t predict every element but what you can control is an unwavering belief in yourself and a rugged determination that no matter what happens, you will keep going.