Monday Must: Marathon Training

MY NAME IS DUE PINLAC. I'M A FILMMAKER BASED OUT OF TORONTO AND RUN A CREATIVE AGENCY/PRODUCTION HOUSE WITH MY BEST FRIENDS CALLED TIER ZERO— OUR STUDIO IS THREE DOORS DOWN FROM MARY YOUNG'S. THE WORK WE DO IS WITHIN THE REALM OF COMMERCIAL AND SHORT-FORM NARRATIVE. COINCIDING WITH TIER ZERO WE ALSO ORGANIZE A NON-PROFIT CALLED THE KICKBACK, A PLATFORM WHERE WE AID IN THE EFFORTS OF REDEFINING WHAT COMMUNITY ACTUALLY MEANS.

I ran a marathon three years ago. There was no pressure, no expectations, minimal training, and I folded on the run. The first 18 km was fine, and there was definite pep to the step, but as I continued, my body was checking out fast. Somehow, I made it. It’s doable with minimal training however this approach isn’t the wave and frankly, I don’t want anyone to share that same experience. I started this team with my friends called Run it Run it, a group of misfits that come in all shapes and sizes, who are running a marathon together on October 20, 2021. Here are some tips if you want to run a marathon.

TRACK YOUR RUNS

Having access to a visual reference for progression goes a long way when there is an end goal in mind. It keeps you in check, wakes up your internal competitiveness, and gives you evidence to the nay-sayers. If you don’t have the app ‘Strava’, download that bad boy now—it’s easy to navigate through.

BE CONSCIOUS OF WHAT YOU’RE EATING

Avoiding the word ‘diet’ here. If we replace that common buzz word with the intention from the jump, it’ll incentivize us to reframe our approach when diving into a meal. I don’t have any specific recipes, or foods to recommend but I know if you do enough research that pertains to your body frame and set habits, you’ll find your solution. At the end of the day, the food that we put in us is our fuel, whether you put something deep fried in your system or something organic - you will feel it with every step, you will feel it in your endurance. If you want to tolerate the struggle that comes with eating unhealthy - that’s on you.

RECRUIT SOME COMRADES 

If you’re a lone wolf, please ignore the following: Running is better with others. Find a run club, run with your spouse, run with your dog, run with the homies (obviously in safe distances in regards to COVID protocol). When you do this, a sense of accountability is established and encouragement comes automatically amongst one another.

STRETCH

Most of us aren’t young anymore. Limberness is going futile as the days go by—even without the exercise affecting our bodies. We sit in awkward positions with our laptops, we insist on carrying the groceries all in one go. We all have to make time for stretching even if you’re only going by memory from Grade 10 gym class.

Here are some of my favourite stretching videos: 

15 Minute Beginner Flexibility Routine by Tom Merrick 

How to do the World's Greatest Stretch by Cult Fit  

Glute Bridge March by The Proactive Athlete 

Lunge Variations to T Spine Rotation by Chris Bullock 

How To Do A Sun Salutation by Well + Good

RUN WITH PURPOSE

Wow, on the nose advice that’s sprouted from any campaign that promotes running - well done. Yet, if you really apply it, there really is no stopping you. As a matter of fact, it’s the only thing that’s going to get you through the door of fear and skepticism. If you’re clear enough to articulate a purpose that provides a positive result and great challenge along the way, then you’re in absolute luck and certainty.

What’s your take on training for a marathon? Let us know in the comments below and share photos of your training routine with us by tagging us @itsmaryyoung.