The Power of Thinking Big in Your Marathon Training

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Thinking big is highly individual.

You may decide to run a 100 mile ultra-marathon like Eric Strand.

Your personal best right now may be running for 5 minutes without stopping and a marathon seems so out of reach. It’s not.

Here are some thoughts to help you think big and dig deep.

1. You are capable of more but it must start in your mind. Before you can act big, you must think big. Think little goals and expect little achievements. “Think big goals and win big success.” David Joseph Schwartz




2. Strive to become better, not perfect. Striving for perfection will only lead to comparisons to other people and eventual frustration. However, each of us can become better. James Cash Penney said, “Change is vital, improvement the logical form of change.”




3. Set goals. Regularly evaluate each area of your life so that you know where you can improve. Seneca said, “Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind.” Dream big, take the next step, and be patient. Someday you’ll look back on everything that you’ve achieved with amazement.




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Think Big and Start Running

You may be at the point where you’re just getting off the couch and the thought of running for 10 minutes sounds daunting. That’s okay. We’ve all been there. The challenge when you’re starting your running journey is in not getting discouraged with your current reality and giving up on your goals. You should still dream big, but also realize that it will take many small steps to get there.

The first step in building your running base is to get where you can run comfortably for 30 minutes. Once you can run for 30 minutes you need to continue laying a solid base by running 3-5 miles, 3-4 times per week for 4-6 months.

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Think Big and Run Your First Half Marathon

Maybe you’re at the stage where you have a nice running routine down, but the thought of running for 13.1 miles still seems crazy. Training for your first half marathon is going to take hard work and dedication, but it is a wonderfully do-able goal. Choose a training plan that gradually builds up the long run and schedules regular cross training.

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Think Big and Run Your First Full Marathon

You’ve come to the point where you’re ready to take on the challenge of a full marathon. It doesn’t matter if you’re 17 or 70, this is still a realistic goal. Make sure that you’ve built up a solid running base and that you have a couple of shorter races under your belt. This way you’ll have the physical strength and confidence to run 26.2 miles.

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Think Big and Set a PR

You may have several races under your belt and are ready to go for a personal record. You’ve come to believe that your body is capable of more. You’re not content with just finishing the race but want to push yourself to excellence. You’re not merely racing against your fellow marathoners, you’re racing against yourself. The feeling of pushing yourself toward your personal best is also addicting. There’s a part of most of us that always wants more.

I would caution you against placing your entire identity in the hands of running because it can always let you down. Instead look at running as a gift. It’s great to push yourself, but remember that none of us are guaranteed another run. You must embrace the moment.