RUN: Marathon Journey

In honor of this past Sunday’s 2019 Chevron Houston Marathon, I would like to celebrate running season in Houston by sharing my own personal experience of completing a full marathon! #26point2.

Last January, I had the honor to run my FIRST MARATHON at 2018 Chevron Houston Marathon! It was definitely an experience I will never forget. It was very though, but once I crossed that finished line, I was so proud of myself because I knew that I had accomplished something that very few people around the world can say they have done. It is definitely CRAZY to run for that long, but it’s even crazier how your body is able to endure something so intense.

My running journey began just 2.5 years ago thanks to my amazing friend / colleague / coach Monique! She has truly inspired me and guided me to become a passionate runner. Because of her, I have become one of those freaks that enjoy running around for hours on the weekends, waking up early to run a race on Thanksgiving, and now I am even starting to convert people into running too. 😉

Fun Fact: You can read about my half marathon journey from 2 years ago in this post.

Here are my 2 cents for running a MARATHON:

1.Successfully complete a half marathon. I know it might sound silly but finishing a half marathon is a huge accomplishment on its own. Once you can confidently complete a 13.1 mile run as a “fun” weekend run and go on with your regular life afterwards, you will know you are ready for more mileage.
2. Have a group of running friends and a cheerleading squad. Running intensively is definitely an acquired taste, so not ALL of your friends will be down to run for hours on the weekend. My advice is to join a running club or create your own running club with friends or colleagues and run often. Also, have some friends and family cheer you on on race day so you can share your crazy accomplishments with them. It makes a HUGE difference!

3. Truly commit to the sport. Everybody can run, but not everybody can COMMIT to running multiple times a week for several hours. So, if you really want to do this, you will have to sacrifice some late night shenanigans and wake up early for looong weekend runs.
4. Get the proper gear and supplements. Once you start running long distances, you will start noticing that your regular yoga pants, socks and tennis shoes are not enough. Weird stuff will start happening to you like: blisters, pains and chafing. Get some running gear and energy supplement advice from a fellow long-distance runner or qualified sales associate from a sport shop.
5. HAVE FUN! Runner’s high is a real thing and it’s AWESOME! So, find your groove, find your favorite route and play your favorite playlist and enjoy the ride. 🙂

Fun Fact: The Abbott World Marathon Majors is a series of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world: Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, London Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon and New York City Marathon. If you complete all 6, you get this special medal!!

I am super proud to say that last year I was chosen from a lottery of 100,000 people to participate in the New York City Marathon! I am very blessed to have been able to run with over 50,000 people from around the world the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon.

One last special thing to share…. My 2 favorite running buddies and I got chosen from a lottery to run as a team the 2019 BMW Berlin Marathon in September!

If you are now thinking about becoming a marathoner and you still have a bit of doubt, remember this…before 2.5 years ago, I never ran more 3 miles, so if I was able to do a half marathon and a FULL marathon, so can YOU!……BUT DON’T FORGET you must really, really commit to training, because running 26.2 miles, is no joke 😉

#adios
DORINA