Running a marathon is a monumental achievement, but the journey to the finish line teaches you more than you might expect. Looking back, there are some hard-earned lessons I wish I had known before lacing up for my first 26.2 miles. Whether you're preparing for your first marathon or your tenth, these insights can help guide you through the highs and lows of training and race day.
1) One Mile Doesn’t Matter, but Every Mile Does
In marathon training, it's easy to get fixated on hitting every single mile on your training plan. Here’s the truth: missing one mile won’t make or break your race. What matters is the consistency over time, the accumulation of effort that builds the mental and physical endurance you'll need on race day. Trust in your body’s ability to adapt to the work you’ve put in overall.
2) Something Will Come Up
In life and in marathon training, things don’t always go as planned. Whether it’s a minor injury, bad weather, or just a really tough training run, something will inevitably pop up. The key is to stay flexible and roll with it. Sometimes, the unexpected challenges are where you find your strength.
3) Hitting One Goal < What You Learn Along the Way
Crossing the finish line is an amazing feeling, but what I’ve found even more valuable is the growth that comes during the process of getting there. The discipline, the perseverance, and the mental toughness you develop while preparing for a marathon often outweigh the joy of hitting the finish line. Appreciate the journey and the lessons it brings.
4) Focus on Effort, Not Numbers
It’s easy to become obsessed with pace, splits, and hitting every number perfectly. But the real progress lies in how much effort you’re putting in. Instead of judging your success solely on the numbers, focus on your effort and how you feel. If you're giving it your all, then you’re on the right track.
5) Community >
Training for a marathon can feel like a solo mission, but I learned quickly how much the people around me mattered. Finding a supportive community makes all the difference. The long runs, the tough days—they’re easier when you have people beside you who understand the struggle and share the joy of the journey. Community turns this individual sport into something much greater.
6) The Marathon Doesn’t Owe You Anything
You can put in all the work and follow every training plan to the letter, but there are no guarantees on race day. The marathon doesn’t owe you a perfect race. It’s humbling but empowering to know that you’re stepping into something unpredictable. What matters is how you adapt and push through the obstacles, knowing you’ve done the work.
7) The Marathon Doesn’t Get Easier, You Get Stronger
It’s a common misconception that marathons get easier the more you do them. They don’t. But what changes is your strength—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Each marathon makes you stronger, and that strength carries over into all aspects of life. Every race, every challenge, makes you more resilient.
8) We Get to Do This
This one is my favorite. It’s easy to get caught up in the grind of training, to feel burdened by the miles ahead. But at the end of the day, remember that we get to do this. Running a marathon is a privilege and a gift. Shifting your mindset from “I have to run” to “I get to run” can change everything. Gratitude fuels resilience.
Whether you're gearing up for your first marathon or reflecting on your own running journey, I hope these lessons resonate with you. Marathons are more than just physical tests; they’re mental, emotional, and spiritual journeys. The finish line is just one part of the experience, but the lessons learned along the way? Those last a lifetime.
*I recently did a seminar at Performance Running Gym and released a snippet from it on Youtube in which I covered these 8 items. For the full video, click this link.
Blog Post written by Jacob Oak | personal trainer, run coach, and gait analyst that works with endurance athletes through Oak Endurance. Jacob is also the co-host of the We Get 2 Do This Podcast.
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