Training for Marathon Monday Is More Fun Than I Thought It Would Be
Article by: Claire | Photo by: Sadie
COPLEY – The Boston Marathon is the world’s largest annual marathon, attracting participants from around the globe. In preparation, runners typically spend weeks building endurance and strength to refine their pacing, intensity, and speed. Like many of these runners, I, too, have spent the last few weeks intensely preparing for the Boston Marathon, or “MarMon.” Though there were times I felt like giving up because of how demanding my training became, I’m proud to say I stuck with it. In honor of the upcoming marathon, I’ve decided to share a schedule of what my typical week looks like as a MarMon trainee.
Monday: To prepare for the week ahead of me, I start my Monday mornings strong by waking up at 6 am and taking 5 shots of Tito’s vodka. While day drinking is often frowned upon, MarMon will require some level of daytime commitment. I then take a two-hour recovery nap before refueling by filling my water bottle with a White Claw and packing a few extras for later. The hangover usually hits at around 5 pm, but I brave through it by ending the day with 3 shots of Pink Whitney. Even athletes deserve their sweet treats.
Tuesday: Recovery is just as important as training, so on Tuesdays, I cut back a little. Instead of shots, I take smaller sips throughout the day to build endurance. This helps me work on pacing, which will be important on race day. I also like to have a variety of drinks just to keep my body guessing. By the end of the day, I can really feel my tolerance improving, which is always a good sign that the training is working.
Wednesday: Because it’s the middle of the week, I like to keep these days light. I stay completely sober from alcohol, but incorporate edibles or weed throughout the day to prepare for 4/20, which also falls on MarMon this year. Training for two events in such a short window can be difficult, but with discipline and focus, anyone can do it.
Thursday: Taking it light on Wednesday means Thursdays are the most intense training days. I simulate the marathon’s conditions as closely as possible by starting earlier than usual and committing to a full-day effort. Consistency is key, so I avoid taking long breaks and maintain a steady level throughout. Around mid-afternoon, things usually get challenging, but that’s where mental strength comes in. I try to have a positive mindset and push through when things start to blur.
Friday: In the morning, I drink until I pass out. I tell my roommate to wake me up at 1 pm and drag me to Warren Towers. I then vomit in the middle of a giant crowd of students rushing to class before I pass out again, but this time in front of everyone. This mimics the chaotic environment of MarMon and ensures I feel prepared for any possible situation.
This is just a sample week of my year-long training schedule. I’m really hoping my training pays off, but if not, there’s always next year to train harder and start earlier. I hope anyone reading this takes inspiration from me and starts training for MarMon, too. Everyone always asks me what I’m training for, and to that I say: Hey, so it only has to make sense to me for me to do it, and I don’t feel like explaining it to anyone else.