I Ran My First Marathon— and It Started with Running Ultras
- Allison Felsenthal
- Jul 19, 2021
- 4 min read
I trained for my first marathon ever, running casual ultra runs around NYC.
I spent my Saturday mornings every weekend jogging around the city with food in my bag to last me the entire 31 miles I ran weekly. I took frequent breaks throughout the runs, but it was my therapy, my "me" time, and my time to declutter my brain from all of the stresses I didn't leave at work for that week.
The corporate world can do that to you sometimes. Can you relate?
I jumped at the idea of something new and exciting, like running a marathon with very little notice before running it because a friend offered me her place since she could no longer run in the event. I remember the moment so vividly and no being resistant to answer. I wanted to see what my body could do and push myself through mentally and physically by partaking in the race.
The picture was taken with my overly worn-out sneakers, "my lucky marathon shoes," that took me through 2 sequential marathons after running this race. I remember laying out my gear saying, "I guess this is what people do when they get ready to run a marathon, right" not taking it as seriously as I should. Maybe it was my competitive edge carrying over from my swimming days, or perhaps it's because
My Career Transition from Corporate Pro to Fitness Pro
I was so unhappy with what I was doing with my life that I wanted to run out the door. I tried to find my purpose by doing something. I discovered I was SO passionate about the sport of running by doing it, eventually getting injured doing things incorrectly, and fixing them to be where I've landed today!
In my life, I've never experienced anything like my first marathon. The energy, the excitement, the unknown- it was EXHILARATING. Seeing my mom, my best friend, and her now-husband on 71st and 1st all smiles. I was running happy as could be and didn't even know it would manifest into what it has today back then! #circa2015.
I hit the "wall" around mile 18, with brick legs but with the resilience of a warrior. I was not stopping. After corseting the finish line for 3 hours and 48 mins, I sat down. My legs did not like me. I could not get up! If it hadn't been for my brother, I'd still be sitting in Central Park right now. He, fortunately, jumped barriers without getting arrested and got me to a cab so we could attend my marathon party on time. When there's a will, there's away.
It changed the way I go about doing things, and it changed who I am as—a person.
Running was on my mind ALL THE TIME. It still is.
The community of runners at the runner's village was pure magic. Everyone was waiting to run the same thing, freaking out, yapping away, waiting for their corral to begin their marathon journey. Running running running is all anyone wants to talk about in the running community because many fascinating things are about it. To runners, that is. I've been fortunate enough to bring a virtual community of industry leaders and runners together on my podcast: RUNWITHALLI LIVE. Subscribe to the show if you haven't already enjoyed a new episode every other week with a new special guest. We chat all things about running while keeping the conversations authentic, genuine, and honest!
My first marathon showed me how to channel my inner strength and break away from my insecurities. I WAS good enough. I DID run 26.2 miles, and I know God gave me a reason for that. YOU are good enough too. And yes, YOU can! If you want to!
I know what it feels like to want something badly enough and to have no support system there. That was me. That's what I am so passionate about all of the things running-related!
I'm a coach in hopes of paying forward what I did not have for my first, second, or third marathon. I had my family and friends, of course. I guided myself as a lonely wolf runner throughout the process because fear was taking over the best of me. Between being insecure about immersing myself in new groups of people, thinking I wasn't good enough until finally, the day came where can't be turned into a can. I got injured, messed up, and relearned how to run efficiently, and now it's my turn to pay that forward to YOU!
Summer running is here, and it's hard. But you're capable of more than you think. Stick with it. Fall races are near. Get your rear in gear, and let's do this!
Yes, WE CAN! Time to rid the fear that we can't.
I'm not saying running Ultras is your answer. Staying consistent, saying affirmations aloud, such as "yes I can," and holding yourself accountable will make your running journey an ongoing exhilarating, exciting adventure filled with new friends, new successes, and new life lessons, both the good and the bad.
Learn more about how running can transform your life by emailing me right here! Let's chat!
Until next time!
If you need help to find gear or running with runners who feel the same with upcoming Fall 2021 races coming our way, go with my Runwithalli™️ Running Community to help you prepare for your next race! Runwithalli™️ Coaching will help you properly train for your distance runs. I will ensure you that our team does our very best to help guide you through the process along with a community of like-minded runners in my fitness community!
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