Strava Marathon (Bellingham, MA)
Finish Time: 3:42
Pace: 8:29
Temp: 56 degrees
Conditions: Indoors
Run For: Ben
Recap:
2023 mindset = stop avoiding things that you don’t like to do. New year – new goals, change the narrative, do hard things. Running is not always going to feel good, especially during a marathon. Things will feel harder after running multiple marathons in a relatively short period of time. Embrace it and seek out the discomfort.
Having the right mindset while doing hard things plays a huge role in your success. This is a lesson I’ve learned ever since significantly increasing the number of marathons I’ve been running. Obviously being prepared physically, making sure your body is ready for the workload and stress from running is equally important, but you can’t ignore the mental aspect of distance running.
Since the new year, I’ve made a concerted effort to do hard things and for me that would be running an entire marathon on the treadmill. I used to hate running on the treadmill, maybe hate is too strong of a word, so let’s go with “strongly dislike” running on the treadmill instead. Don’t get me wrong, I have run on the treadmill before, many times, but I would always avoid it whenever I could. However, this year with the shift in my mindset to stop avoiding hard things means it was time to tackle something I didn’t like, and dive into it 110%.
I have done a couple marathons along this journey entirely on the treadmill, but not consecutively, not until this stretch right now. The marathon today for Ben was the fourth in a row and even though it’s been hard, I’m accepting it and actually welcoming the point where I do feel the struggle. Crazy as that may sound, I feel it’s the reason I’ve been able to succeed with each of these treadmill marathon runs.
Running is going to hurt and you are going to feel that hurt at some point. As runners we have learned to accept this and we know it’s coming, especially in the marathon. Being able to push through this hurt, that discomfort is a chance to prove to ourselves that we are improving. Proof that we are growing, getting better, becoming stronger. Sure, the hurt isn’t going to be fun, but when is it? We are going to face this hurt at some point whether we like it or not. My thoughts now… why not adopt an attitude that will actually benefit me in the long run? Bring on the hurt, I’m ready and I welcome it. It is going to make me better and I want that.
How many more marathons am I going to run on the treadmill? I don’t know and I am looking forward to getting back out on the roads for more marathons outside. There are many more marathons left until we reach 100 so we shall see. For now, let’s keep doing the things that are hard and for me, that’s tackling 26.2 miles on the treadmill right now.
All that being said, today’s treadmill marathon was run for my friend Ben. I have known Ben for some time now and have been with him at a few Team Challenge events now. More recently I had the pleasure of witnessing Ben complete his very first marathon when he ran the New York City Marathon with TC this past November. I was so excited when Ben sent me the picture he wanted to use to share with his story, because it is him proudly showing off his medal that he earned at that finish line in NYC. There really is so much meaning behind that picture and that was quite the accomplishment for Ben. I am inspired by all those I run for but found it interesting when Ben mentioned how he used to hate running, yet there he is happily smiling after having run 26.2 miles. Also, note that he has run multiple races prior to his first marathon and he is planning to run even more races moving forward. He hated running, but he is doing something he hated which has helped him feel empowered and accomplished.
Running has taught me so much, but running for IBD heroes like Ben teaches me even more. This marathon journey has been filled with learning lessons and I feel like I am becoming a better runner since it started. I am beyond grateful for all I’ve been able to take away from this challenge and I’m honored to be able to do this for friends like Ben.
Ben, thanks for the continued support and the constant inspiration and motivation you are providing by sharing your story and running your own meaningful 26.2 miles. I’m proud of your accomplishments and honored to be able to run for you and have you play a major role in 26.2 For You. Thank you again for being an IBD hero to many and doing all you do for the Foundation. This 26.2 was for you!
26.2 FOR YOU 