On October 13th I accomplished a dream that I’ve had since early high school. I qualified for the prestigious “World Major”, Boston Marathon—the hardest marathon in the world to get into- AND I ran faster than I EVER thought was possible and I did it pain free!
Now why does this matter to you? Well, because my story is one of will power, positive mindset, gratitude, and a consistent “back to basics” approach. All of these traits can be applied to every aspect of life, especially wellness.
I’ve always been a runner, but I have never been “good” one. I have athletic asthma and an arthritic knee that has pained me for 20 years (starting as patellofemoral syndrome and then progressing over time). My orthopedic doctors and primary care physicians have told me over the years to stop running, to take Aleve or other pain medications daily, and that eventual knee surgery was in my future. Since all of this advice was pessimistic and defeating, I stopped seeking medical treatment because I know that running and walking are my best forms of stress relief. So, I just “dealt with it”—meaning hap hazard non-coordinated efforts at holistic pain relief, never sticking with anything, and just accepting that I will always have pain.
Fast forward to earlier this year. I suffered an unforeseen health issue during which I could not exercise at all for 2.5 months. Not only was this experience devastating, but it was extremely eye opening because my knee pain dramatically worsened despite “resting” all that time!
I had years of not being able to walk down my basement stairs properly (had to turn sideways), but now I had to go down backwards. Laying in bed was so painful that it woke me up as I struggled to get comfortable. It’s my right knee, so I could barely handle driving. And running more than 2 days in a row caused stabbing pain and locked-up hips.
Now—you’re probably asking “why, crazy lady, would you decide to train for and run a marathon?”! You would be right to ask this. My loving (and equally crazy) husband knew that qualifying for the Boston Marathon had been a lifelong dream for me. Since I felt betrayed by my own body and generally like a wreck, he reignited the dream. He signed us up for a marathon 6 months later and began telling people in our inner circle about my dream. Honestly, I thought he was crazy and I was terrified at the prospect. I was just being cleared to return to physical activity—how could I go from couch to qualifying for Boston? How could I run faster than I ever have in my life? And how could I do it without blowing up my knee and causing even more damage?
Over the course of the next couple of weeks I began to write down a “back to basics” action plan for myself. I knew that I needed consistency and, most importantly, a changed mindset. Around this time, I was watching a lot of YouTube videos and reading autobiographical accounts from great athletes who were preparing for qualifying rounds for the Olympics. The MOST consistent thing that I heard from these amazing athletes was how much practice they put into having a positive mindset. Many of them spoke about how practicing the mental aspects of training—visualizing, positive affirmations, and gratitude—were equally as important as their training in their respective sports. That’s when I had the “eureka” moment! If these top-notch people must do it and benefit from it, then of course I would too!
I got a journal. I designed one on Shutterfly with photos of my fur babies, my family, and my husband. I added the quote: “Forever grateful; Don’t let the perfect get in the way of the good.” At the start of the journal, I wrote out my “why’s”. Why do I want to qualify for the Boston Marathon, why do I want to eat dairy-free, why do I want to be pain free, and why do I want to be my own friend. Writing out your “why’s” is the best advice that I could give to any of you. Once you are clearer on why you want something, it becomes easier to work towards and easier to be consistent. Being clear on your “why” can heal self-sabotage, and the self-defeating habit of doing things we “know” we shouldn’t and then feeling guilty. Once you get clear on your “why’s” you will have the strength to begin to change. You can no longer “fool” yourself into “cheating” or self-sabotaging.
Next, I wrote down the action items that would help me achieve my goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon (which included strengthening my knee and being pain free otherwise so I could do the training required). These included: decrease inflammation through targeted supplementation, increase protein intake to support muscle growth and recovery, improve sleep so that I could recover, regular massages to support recovery, add in consistent strength training, increase anti-inflammatory foods, create an optimal fueling strategy with targeted carbohydrates (like oatmeal, fruit, rice, and granola around longer runs), support bone remodeling/bone health, decrease intake of inflammatory foods (added sugars, dairy, over-processed gluten, alcohol, etc.) and, finally, a mindset overhaul.
While I’ve always loved running, hiking, and walking, I have NEVER been into strength training. But I knew from past physical therapy for my knee that strengthening my muscles and connective tissue around my knee was critical for being able to train pain free. How could I find time to add consistent strength training on top of work and all the running required, especially when I hate weights and I am also supposed to get sleep? I borrowed an idea that I got from my sister who works with elementary school kids—reward yourself with stickers! So, in my journal I started to keep track of my training. I noted the runs, my level of pain throughout the day, and whenever I did strength work. Any day that I did strength work I got to pick out a sticker to go in my journal. Being an animal lover, I picked out kitten, unicorn and puppy stickers. I set up the rule (not goal!) that I needed 3 stickers a week. Not only did I get my stickers, but throughout this journey I fell in love with strength training. It feels great to feel strong and I DO think that it benefited me greatly. Strength training not only helped with the knee pain and helped me get faster, but it helped with balance and with protecting my bones as they took a beating on hard surfaces while running.
As part of my training, I also started writing down positive affirmations and reminders. I repeated these things during hard sessions and during times when I did not want to run or go to the gym. These included:
- I can do hard things.
- I can be pain free.
- Remember your “why.” You can do this.
- I believe in myself. I believe in my training. I believe in my hard work.
- I find joy. I am grateful.
- I am in charge of whether I give it my all today. My body follows my mind and I choose to work hard.
- The hard moments will pass. This will pass. After a storm comes a rainbow.
- Breathe in confidence. Exhale doubt. Breathe in strength. Exhale worry.
- Running is a gift. I am grateful for my body. My body is strong and capable. I choose to be kind to it.
- Believing is how you reach your potential.
- Success is a decision. I have decided that I will do well.
- I am a Boston Marathon Qualifier.
You may have different goals than me, but I encourage you to create your own set of affirmations and reminders. Writing them down, repeating them, and reviewing them over the past 5 months was life changing for me. The more I practiced this, the easier it came. I repeated them during the race and I did it. I became a pain-free Boston Marathon qualifier.
On the day of the race, it was rainy and 40 degrees. My whole family was there to support me and my husband ran the entire race with me. It was tough. I had to rely on my affirmations, my self-belief, and I had to actively find joy and things to be grateful for. I was grateful for the beautiful fall leaves, grateful for the spectators, grateful for the ability to run, grateful for my family, and more.
I finished overwhelmed with joy and disbelief.
There was no specific magic fix to achieve my dream. It took a synergistic combination of elements that was part of a comprehensive holistic plan. It took consistency. It took willpower. It took being my own best friend. It is easy to be negative. It is natural to worry and be anxious, but it takes practice and determination to believe and be positive. I had to examine my limiting beliefs (I could never qualify, I could never be pain free, I could never be consistent with being dairy free, I hate weights, etc.) and be clear on my “whys.” Where there is a will, there is a way. You have to want it to happen and dare to achieve.
This November as we prepare for Thanksgiving, think about how all this applies to your life, what your dreams are, and what you’re grateful for. The sky’s the limit and all of us at BeWell are here to support you on your wellness journey.
Caitlin Maher, MS, CNS
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