Marathon Training: Part Two — The Race Against Myself 🏃‍♂️by Jared Harding Wilson

by Jared Harding Wilson

This is Part Two of my journey toward something I’ve never done before: my first marathon.

I’m excited.

I’m nervous.

And most importantly—I’m training.

One of the best decisions I’ve made so far is following a clear running schedule (huge shout-out to Grok for helping me put it together). Having a plan removes decision fatigue. I don’t wake up wondering if I should run or what I should do—I already know. I just lace up and go.

Here is a screenshot of my training spreadsheet, with completed runs highlighted. There’s something deeply satisfying about checking off each day. Progress you can see is powerful.

Today’s Run: A 5K “Race Against Myself”

Today’s workout on the schedule was a 5K race.

I wasn’t racing anyone else—no bib, no crowd, no starting gun. But I was racing myself.

Because my schedule was tight, I decided to run on a treadmill so I could clearly see the numbers:

• Distance
• Time
• Pace per mile

I wanted clean data. No guessing. No hills. Just effort.

For reference, a 5K is 3.107 miles, and yes—I even Googled it to make sure (I’ll include that screenshot too). Something about seeing that number makes it feel more achievable. If you’ve never run a race before, this is your reminder: a 5K is absolutely doable.

I pushed myself hard. Harder than I expected. And honestly? It felt amazing. My time was 25 minutes and 36 seconds for an average of roughly 7 minutes per mile! That’s really pushing it! My average is usually about a 10 minute mile and I achieved nine minutes per mile running in the half marathon last August.

If You’ve Never Run a Race Before… Read This

If the word race feels intimidating, let me say this clearly:

You don’t have to race anyone else to race.

Racing yourself is incredibly motivating—and fun. I’ve run races against others before, including a half marathon, and yes, the energy is exhilarating. But this solo 5K still gave me that spark. The focus. The drive. The “let’s see what I’ve got today” mindset.

If you’re thinking about your first 5K or 10K, here are a few things I learned (or re-learned) this morning:

Things I Could’ve Done Better (So You Can Learn From Me)

💧 Bring water

I knew the Provo Rec Center has a water fountain. What I forgot is that you can’t exactly stop mid-race to get a drink. Lesson learned: hydration matters—even for shorter runs.

😅 Sweat management is real

I forgot how much I sweat. Sweat in your eyes is not fun. A headband, hat, or wrist sweatband would’ve made a big difference.

⌚ Use a reliable tracker

A family member recently gave me a newer Apple Watch they weren’t using. My old one (thanks to my younger brother) still works—but the screen is cracked and the tracking isn’t very accurate anymore.

I actually wore both watches during the run to compare, and the newer one was much more accurate. Moral of the story: good data helps you train smarter.

🗺️ Planning outdoor routes helps too

When I run outside, I use a free tool called onthegomap.com to plan routes and distances ahead of time. It’s incredibly helpful if you want to know exactly how far you’re running before you step out the door.

Why the Provo Rec Center Is a Gem

I ran today at the Provo Recreation Center, which is fantastic. Great equipment, clean space, and an indoor running track on the upper floor. I’ve run there many times, and it’s a perfect option when weather or time makes outdoor running tricky.

This Is a Journey—and I’m All In

I’ll also be sharing a selfie I took by my front door after the run. Not because it’s glamorous—but because it’s real. This is what showing up looks like.

I’m on the journey.

I’m following the plan.

And I’m building toward something big.

Having a schedule helps me see beyond today. I know what’s coming this week, this month, and in the weeks leading up to the marathon. That clarity is incredibly motivating.

This was just a 5K—but it’s another step forward.

And step by step, mile by mile, I’m becoming a marathoner.

If you’ve ever run a race—or thought about running one—I’d love to hear from you. Was your first race against others, or against yourself? What’s one thing you’ve learned (or want to learn) about running or training? Drop a comment below and let’s encourage each other along the way. This journey is better when we don’t run it alone. 🏃‍♂️

Photos by Jared Harding Wilson. All rights reserved.