On October 10th, I had the opportunity to run the Antelope Island Marathon in the Salt Lake City area of Utah. This was my fourth official marathon, and I came into the race focused on running smart and testing what I was truly capable of.
At the starting line, I found myself next to a group of six runners—each of them running their first marathon and aiming for a similar finish time. Before the race began, I offered one piece of advice: “Keep a pace you can handle so that when mile 20 hits, you still have something left.”
They took off fast in the first half, and I let them go. I stuck to my plan, trusted my training, and focused on staying controlled. Slowly, mile by mile, I caught each of them.
As I passed them, the most noticeable thing was the expression on their faces—pain, frustration, and that moment every runner knows when doubt starts winning.
It reminded me that marathon running is more mental than physical. There’s no shame in being slower or faster. We run because it’s hard, and pushing through that challenge is what makes it fulfilling.
The real battle is inside your own head.
For the first time in a race, I didn’t chase anyone else. I didn’t worry about being passed. I locked into consistent 7:50 mile splits and focused solely on my race plan. I hit my goal finish time and proved to myself that staying disciplined works.
Running alone for long stretches helped me understand what I was capable of—physically and mentally.
So many runners burn out trying to keep up with someone who isn’t running their race. But when you break your goals into simple, clear, executable steps, everything changes.
Every mile becomes a small victory.
Every checkpoint becomes a finish line.
And no one—not another runner, not the course—can take that progress away.
Run your plan. Own your pace. The race becomes yours.
UCSF Health — “Running a Marathon: Training Tips”
https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/running-a-marathon-training-tips
A great guide on training principles, injury prevention, and pacing.
HIGH5 — “How to Train for a Marathon”
https://highfive.co.uk/blogs/guides/how-to-train-for-a-marathon
Focuses on breaking the marathon into manageable parts and preparing strategically.
Running & Stuff — “Surviving Your First Marathon”
https://www.runningandstuff.com/surviving-your-first-marathon
Covers the mental and physical challenges of late-race fatigue and how to push through.
