The Truth About Marathon Training: It’s 90% Mental and 10% Avoiding Tows on 1/2 Marathon Run

by Jared Harding Wilson

If you’ve been keeping score, we are officially in the home stretch. As of this exact moment, I am 2 months, 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 2 seconds away from the 7:00 AM race start on Saturday, April 25th.

This week was a major milestone. I tackled a half-marathon distance (13.1 miles), starting way up at Vivian Park in Provo Canyon and running all the way home. It was breathtaking, freezing, and a perfect test of everything I’ve learned so far about pacing, maintenance, and keeping my “Lamborghini” (my body!) in peak condition. Or the best I can.

The Midnight Rescue

Marathon training is a mental game, but apparently, so is keeping track of your logistics! After finishing my 13.1-mile trek, I jumped straight into a very busy evening: a gathering with my wife’s family and a close friend, followed immediately by a double date with one of my former roommates.

With all the excitement of the run and the social plans, it wasn’t until the clock struck midnight that reality hit me like a ton of bricks: My car was still sitting at the top of the canyon.

Panic set in. Was it towed? Did I get a ticket? Thankfully, an amazing friend came to the rescue. Despite the late hour, he drove me all the way back up the canyon to retrieve my car. Having people in your corner who support your goals—and help you out when life gets a little hectic—is what makes this journey possible!

A Shift in the Mindset

When you’re running for hours, your mind tends to wander. Earlier in my training, months ago, my internal dialogue was a struggle. I used to think, “I could just stop,” or “I’m so tired, I need a break.” I would constantly worry about whether I could actually make it to the end while obsessing over every sore muscle.

But during this run? None of those thoughts even entered my mind. I feel great! Instead of negotiating with exhaustion, I found myself simply enjoying the stunning scenery and the rhythm of my feet hitting the trail. It’s an incredible feeling to realize that I’m no longer just “surviving” the runs—I’m getting stronger with every step toward my goal.

The key? 🔑 Consistency. It’s paying off with dividends in three massive ways:

1. Increased Stamina: My “Lamborghini” isn’t just maintaining; it’s upgrading. I can cover longer distances while feeling stronger and more capable than I did at the start.

2. Mental Resilience: I’ve moved past the “negotiation phase.” My mind is no longer looking for an exit strategy; it’s locked into the goal.

3. The “Runner’s High”: There is a genuine emotional lift that comes from realizing your body is actually doing exactly what you’ve trained it to do.

Lessons from the Snow

The trail was blanketed in snow, which actually makes for a great workout. You have to engage those core and hip muscles even more to stay stable on the slicker spots. Remembering my wife’s “Lamborghini” maintenance advice, I made sure to stay focused on my form and kept my breathing strictly through my nose.

Despite the cold and the distance, I felt consistent. Toward the end of the run, I saw a poster for a future marathon that caught my eye. It said: “Pain You Enjoy.” It sounds crazy to anyone who hasn’t caught the running bug, but there’s a strange truth to it. The “pain” is just the feeling of an almost 50-year-old body proving it can still do hard things.

What about you? Have you ever had a moment where you were so busy enjoying life after a big accomplishment that you forgot the small details—like where you parked? Or what is a type of “pain” in your life that you’ve grown to enjoy because of the growth it brings? Leave a comment below!