It’s not every day you get the chance to run the Boston Marathon, but luckily, I was given the opportunity through an invitational bib. I’ve always been a runner (well, maybe jogger is the better term – I like to take my time). But if you’d ever asked me whether I’d run a race, I probably would’ve laughed in your face. Especially a marathon.
I know what you’re probably thinking: Are you nuts? Boston was not only my first marathon – it was my first race ever. And a pretty prestigious one at that. I knew I had to bring my A-game. For me, that meant focusing on the training: preparing both mentally and physically. Eating the right foods, stretching, running the miles. Thankfully, I live in Boston, so I didn’t have to adjust to the climate (though training through a New England winter is no joke).
Image Source: PS Photography | Haley Lyndes
Still, I did it. I pushed my body to limits I didn’t know were possible, and I credit my preparation for that. I made recovery a priority – visiting wellness centers like Remedy Place (which has locations across the U.S.) for massages and saunas after long runs. I also followed the
If you’re gearing up for your first marathon, these were the essentials that got me to the 26.2-mile finish line. And yes – it was totally worth it.
