If you read my blog regularly, you probably know that I ran my very first marathon last year. Running a marathon wasn’t on my bucket list. I never even considered myself a runner. In fact, up until a few years ago, I didn’t even know I liked running. When I crossed the finish line at the 2014 Boston Marathon, I was proud, overwhelmed and amazed of my fellow runners and my own accomplishments. My family and friends to this day ask me if I will ever run a marathon again. My answer differs regularly. There are both positives and negatives associated with running a marathon. I’m just not sure which ones outweigh the others. Here are 22 things I learned from running my first marathon. I’m hoping this exercise will help me decide whether or not I should run again. Spoiler alert… I did it again!

22 things I learned from running my first marathon

1. Signing up for a marathon is signing away all your free time for the next 4 months

Running a marathon is time-consuming. Most marathons require you to raise money for a charity or cause you care about. While this is one of the most rewarding parts of the entire experience, raising money is time-consuming. On top of that, you are expected to log an astronomical amount of miles each week. Between running, raising money, a full-time job, keeping in touch with friends, going to school, and all the other little things that come up each day, it’s hard to keep up.

2. You can read an entire audio book (or a few) in a week

Since you are going to be giving up your free time, why not read? I started reading books on tape during my marathon training. It passed the time much more quickly than listening to music. Plus, I was able to read an entire book in one or two runs. I hadn’t read this much for pleasure since grade school.

3. You’ll soon know your city like the back of your hand

Running is the best way to learn a city. During marathon training you are going to tire from running the same course day after day. Mix it up, explore your city, and enjoy all your home has to offer. Take advantage and seek out new spots or new neighborhoods you haven’t explored before. Get lost and go with it. If your marathon is in a city you’ve never been to before, even better! You are going to be able to run in the middle of the road on some of the most touristic and popular streets. How cool is that?

4. Waking up early to run is worth it come 5 pm

The early bird catches the worm. Most US marathons are in the spring. Why do you care? You are going to be training in the winter. I don’t know where you live or what marathon you are planning to run, but Boston is cold in the winter! Snow, ice, rain and below freezing temperatures are not things you can plan around. Worst part, it get’s dark at 5 o’clock. Run early and avoid the never-ending list of excuses you will use to avoid running after dark.

5. Take a day off every now and then, it’s okay!

Rest days are built into every training schedule, don’t ignore them, they’re there for a reason. Some days it is okay to rest. You deserve it. Listen to your body. If you need to walk, walk. If you need to sleep, sleep. Your body will thank you tomorrow. 

6. If your knees hurt you need strength training

Running is great exercise, but it is a lot of pressure on your joints. Your knees especially. Give them some love. I’m not a physical therapist or a personal trainer, but I would recommend seeing one before the problem gets worse. I did and I’m thankful for it.

7. Yoga is your friend

Running makes your muscles tight. Yoga is the perfect release. There are plenty of yoga classes designed with runners in mind. You can practice at home or try out a new studio. An excellent activity for your rest days. 

8. It’s okay to ask for help 

Most charity and sponsored marathon teams provide you with experts to help you achieve your goal. I was given psychological, nutritional, running and financial coaches during my training. Use your resources and ask for help! No question is stupid and everyone’s journey to the finish line is different. This is your first marathon after all!

9. You need the right running shoes

Shoes are important. Just because your running shoes are cute does not mean they are functional. Function comes before fashion here. Sorry, ladies. 

10. And a cute outfit!

The right equipment will help even the most inexperienced runner become a marathon finisher. Whatever you do, do not wear your new clothes or shoes on race day. Just don’t. Try everything out in advance to avoid chafing, blisters or sores on your skin. There’s a lot of friction in a lot of funky places, you don’t want any surprises come race day.

11. Otherwise, picking your wedgie in public will soon become an everyday occurrence 

If your clothes don’t fit right, you will wind up with chafing, itching, and crotch picking. Avoid the dirty glances and the unnecessary discomfort. Wear proper clothes! Even if this is your first marathon, you don’t want everyone to know you’re a newbie. 

12. Pretty soon you will own more cute running clothes than going out clothes

Your running wardrobe will quickly quadruple in size. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. 

13. After your first long run you will think to yourself, “There’s no way I could ever run 26.2 miles!” 

Whether this is your first marathon or your 50th, you’re going to have good runs and you’re going to have really really gut wrenching bad runs. Everyday and every mile is different. Push through the tough runs and celebrate the good runs. Try not to doubt yourself. You signed up for this, you can do it! 

14. You are stronger than you think

You just are. It’s as simple as that. Push through the tough days and some of the pain. The feeling on the other side is worth it.

15. If you run this many miles every weekend, you can eat an entire pizza #NOREGRETS 

Rewards are necessary. If it’s a whole pizza on a Sunday afternoon, so be it. If it’s a day off mid-week, that’s great too. This is likely the only time in your life where you will be burning enough calories in one day to eat an entire pizza, devour an ice cream sundae, and still have room for Chinese food. Eat it! Just not every day. 

16. It’s more than the longest run of your life 

This is more than just your first marathon. A marathon is more than just a run. Running a marathon is emotionally draining and physically enduring. Be positive and stay strong. The journey to get there is going to be a whole lot tougher than race day. 

17. This is a lifestyle 

Changing your lifestyle is important. You can’t eat a double bacon cheeseburger for dinner and run 15 miles before bed. At least I can’t. If you can, all the power to you. Adjust your sleep schedule and eating habits accordingly. Within a few weeks, it will be clear what works for you and what doesn’t. 

18. You will cry, laugh, scream, or do some incredibly embarrassing combination of the three once you cross the finish line

Endorphins are drugs. One second you are smiling ear-to-ear, the next you are whaling at the site of an ice cold water. Crossing the finish line is confusing. You really never know how you are going to react. Just let it happen, you deserve to feel all the feelings.

19. That photographer you somehow didn’t see will catch it all on camera

The photos are going to be embarrassing and awkward. Hopefully you can muster up one good one out of the bunch. Sweaty and exhausted is not the best combo for a photoshoot. 

20. You will be more proud of yourself than you ever imagined

You should be proud of yourself. You just ran a f***ing marathon! Others will be proud of you, but it’s you who matters most.

21. And your best friend is going to want to smack you with a sneaker because all anyone ever wants to talk about is how YOU just completed your very first marathon

Your friends are proud of you. They just don’t want to talk about running anymore. Like ever. 

22. You say you will never run another marathon again… but then again… maybe.