I’ve only run one marathon, but something I read while I was in training that helped me get through the long runs is that those are where the changes to your body really happens. Getting in the miles throughout the week is important, but it’s those long, exhausting runs once a week that really trigger the changes that increase your endurance for a longer distance the next time. I think it’s the exhaustion that tells your body to make the changes it needs to so you’re less exhausted the next time. I’d remind myself of this at mile 18 of a 19 mile training run when I felt terrible and wanted to walk the last mile. “This is where the changes happen. Keep going.”
I’ve only run one marathon, but something I read while I was in training that helped me get through the long runs is that those are where the changes to your body really happens. Getting in the miles throughout the week is important, but it’s those long, exhausting runs once a week that really trigger the changes that increase your endurance for a longer distance the next time. I think it’s the exhaustion that tells your body to make the changes it needs to so you’re less exhausted the next time. I’d remind myself of this at mile 18 of a 19 mile training run when I felt terrible and wanted to walk the last mile. “This is where the changes happen. Keep going.”