Hello, my name is Leslie and I am officially a FULL marathoner!
OMG…. something I NEVER thought I’d say. But dang it feels GOOD! But let’s be real… it feels good now that it’s over haha. Today, I’m recapping my entire marathon and training experience through a Q&A below!
I’m not a running coach or expert at all — this is just my personal experience of running 26.2 miles around Baton Rouge during the Louisiana Marathon 2019!
First things first, why did you run a marathon?
Mostly, because I’m a crazy person. I’m also very competitive and would say I have an “achiever” personality — meaning I geek out over setting goals and reaching them. And what’s more goal-oriented than running a marathon?
I was very satisfied by running a Half Marathon one year ago. The idea of “the split” in the Louisiana Marathon is something I never wanted to do. Basically, this is the part of the race around Mile 11 when the Half Marathoners turn and go downtown to the finish line, and the full marathoners stay straight into the foreverness of running — only to be reminded that you’re not even half way done and everyone else is about to get a medal around their neck and drink beer without you.
BUT when I ran my second Half Marathon in March 2018 in New Orleans, I attempted to enter a tent to grab a bag of Cheez-Its, but was stopped by some rude tent guard who claimed that tent was for “Full Marathoners Only.” I had just ran 13.1 miles and felt only half successful. My feelings were hurt. But thanks to that JERK, I’m now a full marathoner. He inspired me to go the distance… all for a bag of Cheez-Its.
Marathon Training
What training plan did you use?
I used the Nike Run App.
I started officially training in August with a race date of January 20 (so around 4ish months). The app mapped out a plan with a combination of benchmarks, speed runs, recovery runs and long runs. My longest run before race day was 20 miles.
My plan had me running 3 times per week. However, I’m a slacker and many weeks only did 1-2 runs. Very few weeks did I do all three. I skipped most speed runs, which definitely could have helped me get my time down on race day.
I was pretty dedicated to my long run days, which we (Conrad and I) completed on Fridays. We found Friday afternoons (1PM - 6PM) were the easiest to work into our schedules around work and other things. Lucky for us, we both work half days on Friday.
What was your running experience before your marathon training?
I’ve been running almost two years. I first started to train for a 5K in February 2017. I ran my first official 5K race in October 2017 (that story here). My first 10K race in December 2017. Then my first Half Marathon in January 2018. You can read my full story of the my HALF Marathon here.
How did training affect your overall lifestyle?
Training for a full marathon definitely consumes your life — which was my only negative feeling towards the training.
Our training was right in the middle of football season, our birthdays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
It was hard to stay disciplined when so much was going on. I did have to make sacrifices when it came to my social life — like not tailgating as hard or not staying out late. It did get tough seeing people have fun around me, and then I’d to the bar and order a water lol.
And after long run days, I’d go home, eat dinner and go to bed. I had to raincheck on so many friends who wanted to do things, but I was too exhausted from my run to go out.
Did you cross train?
Yes, but I had to tone down my gym workouts just so I didn’t wear myself out.
Normally, I’d go to the gym daily throughout the week, but I had to give myself a day of rest — usually Thursday.
I worked out with a personal trainer one day a week, went to HABIT and HIIT classes 2-3 times per week, and did the occasional yoga/pilates or spin class.
What was your diet like during training?
I didn’t do great when it came to a proper diet. I ate less gummy bears, less Popeyes and less Zapps chips, so that was an accomplishment for me.
I added more grilled chicken, salmon, sweet potatoes and rice into my diet. I also started eating pasta at least once a week closer to the marathon.
What about booze?
I did pretty well at avoiding alcohol as I got closer to race day. I went about a month before the race without drinking. But the week of the race, I did have a frozen rose, a margarita and two beers (for Justin Timberlake and The Saints game). Whatever.
Did you lose weight during training?
I lost about 8 pounds total.
Where did you train for your long runs in Baton Rouge?
I parked my car at the Baton Rouge Beach, ran toward the UREC, then toward the Student Union then to Tiger Stadium. At that point, I’d cross Nicholson and head toward the Vet school and levee. I’d run down the levee to the Capitol building, then back the same route to the Baton Rouge beach. That’d be about 12-13 miles. If I needed to run further, I’d do a loop around the lake.
I avoided running the lakes first on my long run days…. because the lakes make a giant loop, and it’s SO tempting to stop when you get back to your car.
I liked the levee route because once you run out there, you’ve GOTTA come back. So there’s no quitting involved.
How did you fuel during training?
I took a gel (Stinger brand) every 6 miles. My training route gave me plenty of water fountain stops along the levee and lakes. I also get really hungry around Mile 10, so I’d either eat a Cliff Bar or Lays potato chips… don’t judge me.
What did you listen to while you ran?
I can’t listen to music when I run long distance, so I listened to podcasts. I highly recommend Marathon Training Academy. It would motivate me and educate me on my long run days.
Marathon Race Day
What was your goal for race day?
My main goal was to finish the race in 4:30 hours. And to not walk and to not die.
How long did it take you to finish the race?
My official time was just under 4:50 hours. So about 20 minutes slower than I wanted, but that’s OK! I kept my goal pace the first half, but slowed way down to a painful jog around Mile 19.
Thoughts during the race? How did you feel?
The first Half is so much fun as it always is at the Louisiana Marathon. There are so many people running, and the energy is awesome.
The split was terrifying. And very lonely. When the Half Marathoners split from the Full, I went from being in a huge crowd to being almost completely alone with only 3 other runners in site.
But I felt good and stayed positive throughout the second half. I never thought I wouldn’t or couldn’t finish, so that was good!
What were you favorite parts of the race?
I mean, it’s a race so the start and the finish are the best parts! But the water station at Mile 16 was super fun! There was a DJ and tons of people. That’s where I saw my mom and dad, plus my other friends Jeanne, Maggie and Michael came out to support me.
Having people out there for you makes ALL the difference! Shout out to my fam and friends for braving the cold and hopping around the route to give me something to look forward to!
How did you fuel during the race?
I took gels (Stinger brand) every 6 miles like I did during training. However, once I got to Mile 22 I started feeling really nauseous, so I didn’t take my last gel.
I also stopped at every water station from Mile 5 - the finish line. I alternated between Powerade and water.
What did you wear during the race?
Nike Pegasus running shoes. Nike running shorts. A long-sleeve dry fit tee. Reebok socks. I started the race with gloves on, but took them off around Mile 4.
Is the Louisiana Marathon fun?
YES! I saw so many people I knew out on the route, and it’s just so cool that we have a race like this in our city. It’s a giant tailgate party out on the route!
Post Marathon
How did you feel after you crossed the finish line?
I expected to be more emotional than I was. I think I was so mentally and physically drained that I wasn’t comprehending much of anything. It took me a couple days to fully realize that I had achieved my goal!
Physically, after the marathon everything hurt. Walking, sitting, standing — everything was hard. Haha
How has a marathon changed you?
The journey of training itself had a huge impact on my mentality. It was a total coincidence, but I’m so glad my marathon journey coincided with running my business full-time. So much of what goes through your head and the emotions and struggles are the same. I was able to apply so much of what I’ve learned from training to running my business.
Would you run another marathon?
I think so. I don’t anticipate doing it often or making a habit out of running marathons haha. The Half is more my jam. I plan to do several Half Marathons throughout the rest of this year. We have one in Nashville and Montana already scheduled!
What’s next?
Well, you know I’m a very goal-oriented person…. soooo what is next? Triathlons? Ironman? Still figuring that out! But I’m sure it will be something I think is impossible.
