[mar-uh-thon] - noun
Types of Marathon: Half and Full.
A running event that lasts 13.1 miles or 26.2 miles*
*Attention: Side effects may include: training runs, long hours with nature, blisters, some time adjustment, and then after the run, you will proudly post in social media either to inspire others or get their awesome comments.
Background: This is my sixth year as a marathoner... started with Half Marathon and then moved on to Full Marathon 2 years back. I still do one half and one full marathon every year.
As a runner, we have all our strength and weakness and hence the story which comes out my Wisconsin Half Marathon after touching the finished line is Own your Marathon in 5 ways:
1: Why Half in the month of May?
Winter is long in Chicago and does not give much opportunity to train outside. Since I started running even 25F looks nice with no snow on the ground. A half marathon is 12 weeks training and this time I did not go for any training but made sure I ran 5k every day in the month of April.
Also, I carry my running shoes and swim pant every time I am traveling for work. I make sure I have an hour for self-everyday in all these traveling.
2: Importance of Stretching:
With all day sitting the muscle is the one which suffers a lot and we need three friendly muscles to be on our running side - Glute, Hamstrings, and Calves. This three can be done sitting at your chair. Make friends with them and they will take you to the finish lines effortlessly. I am still trying to make best friends with them.
3: Importance of Diet.
It's a fuel and one of my Boss used to say always...fill your gas in your car when its half empty - don't wait until the tank is empty. This makes so true for the long run. Well, you don't need to eat while running but sipping water and other drinks are key.
4: Sleep is nutritions
There have been many cases where few of runners have lost their lives and when they were studied one common thing was found they were sleep deprived or did not take this sleep seriously. It is your nutrition and privilege. Avail it!
5. Divide the miles
It is mind over the body... if you think 13.1 miles or 26.2 miles is long miles to accomplish - break it into smaller no, for example, this Wisconsin Half Marathon I ran thinking I am doing 4 5K's.
The idea is to touch the finish lines and own your (half) marathon.

Recently, I thanked my friends, colleagues, and family for their...encouraging comments, likes, wows, and love on my social media update for finishing the 40th Chicago Marathon on 8th October 2017- by stating your time spent in this update is more than a marathon!
Rawesh said - Nope marathon is a way bigger achievement. Hence, a thought came to pen-down what goes before, on the day, after the run and thus the title - More than a marathon. I am sure some of you can relate to it and some would like to relate in future.
The dry run experience you will have here ...By Numbers, By Questions, By Thoughts, By Food, By Results, and By Banners. Let's get started.
Know your Marathon by Numbers:
Bill Gates said, “Know your numbers' is the fundamental precept of business"
Many of us who are part of Marathon community has to apply first...some have a lottery draw and this Chicago is one of them. (Elites runner get invited). There are dates given to apply and the one fine day if you are selected, “You Got a Mail...will surely bring smiles to your face as you are one of 44,000 and a charge of $185 to your credit card"
My mantra has been -Train Today to Reap Tomorrow. There is a 16 weeks training, with two long runs of 20, and 21 miles. I have also done about 50 -5K's; 10 - 10K's = 10; and two personal Half Marathon = 2; multiple Biking for 30 miles; Floor climbing 94 floors = 1; Cross Training: Twice a week; swimming 0.5 miles = 2.
Apart from spending the time you have to invest money in good running shoes and socks which would easily be north of $200 dollars.
This year I also got Garmin HR watch with GPS and it has been very helpful as I do not have to carry my phone along. There are other miscellaneous costs or investment on running apparel, protein, gel, etc.
To sum up Time, and Money is the input and outcome...some of you already know and for some I will let you know in the end.
Questions:
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning." - Albert Einstein
Run connects Mind and Body and there are self-questions which one has to ask or rather I keep asking...even though the question would be same - the answer has to be different each time.
Mile 1: How am I doing?
Mile 3: What is challenging?
Mile 6: How is practice/training helping?
Mile 9: What did I learn from the last marathon which is helping me?
Mile 11: What learning is not helping?
Mile 13.1: What all the spectators or runner told me and why?
Mile 15: What other noticing on my run?
Mile 18: What are you longing in the run?
Mile 20: What do you want to skip and why?
Mile 22: What would you lose if you stop or give up?
Mile 24: Is your mind, body unified by your breath?
Mile 25: Is unification helping you?
Mike 26: Is the last mile as difficult as the first mile?
Mile 26.2: What feelings you are wrapped with?
On Thoughts:
"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves." – Buddha
The inner monologue:
At 5K: The inner monologue is telling me to see the possibilities, not Problem…keep hydrated and keep moving.
At 21K: Keep my eyes straight, focused on the goal and think for potential not shortcomings!
At 42K: Convert my shortcomings into blessing!
By Food:
The belly rules the mind. -Spanish Proverb
It all starts with food...good, bad, or worse - the choice we make is key. To be fast, avoid fast and microwavable food.
Your long run foods are... Yogurt, Beet Juice, Kiwi, Banana, Grapefruit, almonds, coconut water - you got to balance with fiber, protein, and carbs- they are the enablers.
By results:
"Feel your race. Feel the joy that is running." Kara Goucher, U.S. Olympic marathoner
Each run is different...even though I could not break my PR - the 8 seconds on 8th October was a savior to tell my Dad over the phone as he believes under 5 is a great marathon run - touching the finish line at 4:59:52.
By Banners or Sign which kept me going!
Three worth mentioning from those 1.7 million people who were there to encourage and support are as follows:
1. "One day I won't be able to do this, today is not that day." Unknown
2. If it was easy, everyone would do it."
3. "Pain is temporary, pride is forever."

#chicagomarathon