How NOT to train for your first Marathon:

I was watching the 2006 Honolulu Marathon, cheering on thousands of runner's ( my older sister Bree included).

Instantly, I decided, I wanted to train for the 2007 Marathon. I wanted to be one of the thousands running 26.2.

Little did I understand at that time, what training for a Marathon meant. Little did I understand the "How To's to train for your first Marathon"

I thought because I had an entire year to prepare myself for my first marathon, I would know everything I needed to know before race day. I figured my sister would help me know everything I needed to know and probably a little more.



Marathon Training 2007:

Cannot believe I found my first training plan. Lol.

Let The Training Begin:

° Make excuses
° Cheat your miles
° walk when you get tired
° 13 miles is enough to run a Marathon ( do the math)
° Make an unrealistic goal time
° skip your nutrition
° No matter what DO NOT HYDRATE!!!
° keep thinking you can cure your Eating Disorder by running a Marathon...

Okay you're probably thinking what the Hell is she talking about. Like the headline says " How NOT to train for your first Marathon."

That's exactly what I did my first Marathon. I made all the excuses in the world, I walked instead of running, I skipped nutrition & hydration, I cheated my miles...... I was the typical mistake and I paid for it. And what was worst of all, I kept telling myself I could cure my Eating Disorder by running a Marathon. I WAS STUPID!!!

I was tired. Actually, I was EXHAUSTED at mile 13 of the 2007 Honolulu Marathon. I was already dehydrated and lacking nutrients. I couldn't mentally get myself together, so I walked and walked.
Basically, I was a mess just trying to get to the finish line. I looked at my watch more times than I could count. The miles seemed endless. All of this because I lacked the proper training ( no one to blame but myself)

I did finish! Yay! But I finished 38:18 minutes slower than I told myself to run a Marathon. I was not trained properly. Do Not make Unrealistic Goals for yourself! Do NOT!!!

Learning Lessons:

* Don't make Excuses!
* Don't cheat your miles!
* Never skip nutrition!
* ALWAYS HYDRATE and electrolytes Do Help!!!
* Make Realistic Goals!
* Have Fun training!!
* Running a Marathon will Not Cure your Eating Disorder.
* Aim for at least one 18-20 mile training run (helps to avoid Hitting The Wall )
* Check your shoes
* Stretch and Recovery
* Look at ask you accomplished!
(The list goes on and on)........


I went back in 2008. Once again lacking all the mental & physical conditions required for running a Marathon. I was doing really Good at this whole "How NOT to train for your first Marathon" stuff. This time it was even worse, along with my Eating Disorder. The night before my second marathon I literally ate a couple bite of granola... I went into the race so not ready to race, but apparently had all these goals I set for myself. Like my finishing time. Ha ha ha.. That was a joke from the starting line.

I was so embarrassed with myself and all the excuses I had made over the past two years, that I never opened my finishers certificate.
Can you see my finishing time? If so, what is it?

With Kona Marathon only weeks away, memories appear. It's always a great reminder to myself, to remember where I started and where I am today. This year will be the second Marathon that my sister and I both will be running together/not together. The only difference is, at the end of this Marathon I WON'T BE YELLING AT MY SISTER TO NEVER MAKE ME DO THAT AGAIN. I won't be making all the many mistakes I've made in the past and maybe just maybe I'll beat her to the finish line!

( Bree I know you're using this as a training run for your upcoming Ironman, but I'm still excited to know you'll be out there with me. Just please don't smack my ass as I run past you.) All teasing aside, love you sis and thank you for inspiring me daily and for all the knowledge you've provided me with.




Readers➡ I'll let you know what's happens at the Finish Line of the Kona Marathon June 28th, after the race!!!

Follow me on Twitter & Instagram if you cannot wait for the written details via blog...




Have fun running and training. You put all the hard work in, so you might as well enjoy it. I cannot tell you how much I love running now more than ever. Training does pay off and now rather than chasing my excuses, I'm #ChasingFaster


Kona Marathon in coming for you!
And a Good luck and have a Beautiful run to everyone participating in the 2015 event.


Remember to just breathe,

With love,
Brooke