“The first marathon broke me. The second one built me. The third might finally make me fast.”

The Honest Start

I ran my first marathon at 26. I didn’t even like running. I was doing CrossFit at the time and figured I could just power through. Spoiler: mile 18 disagreed. I finished in about four hours, which sounds respectable until you realize I could barely walk for a week. Fever. Cramps. Knees that sounded like bubble wrap. I told myself I’d never do it again.

The Return

Nine years later, at 35, I changed my mind. Maybe it was a midlife tune-up. Maybe it was ego. Maybe I just wanted to prove to myself I could do it the right way — with real training. That race? A 3:20. A full 40 minutes faster. Still painful, but not apocalyptic.

Why It Stuck

Here’s the thing. I still don’t consider myself a runner. I’m not chasing a runner’s high or posting my splits on Strava. But I’ve never once felt worse morally after a run.

Running doesn’t fix life, but it makes everything else easier to handle. It’s therapy in motion — cheap, quiet, and brutally honest.

At 41, I’m chasing the elusive three-hour marathon. Not because I think I’ll win anything. But because I need something that demands discipline, consistency, and a reason to keep moving.

Why Marathon Training Works (Even If You Don’t Care About Marathons)

Marathon training isn’t about mileage. It’s about commitment. You sign up for something that’s far enough away to scare you but close enough to keep you accountable. And that’s the magic. You start to show up. You start eating better. You sleep more. You stop skipping the small stuff because it all adds up. It’s a physical goal that rewires your mental life.

Even if you never line up for 26.2 miles, training for something — anything — gives you purpose.

How Runna Fits In

When I decided to chase sub-3, I knew I needed structure. Enter Runna — the app that basically acts as your coach in your pocket.

Here’s what it does:

  • Builds a custom training plan based on your goal and current fitness level.

  • Syncs with Garmin, Apple Watch, and Strava automatically.

  • Adjusts workouts week-to-week based on your progress.

  • Tells you exactly what paces to hit, how to recover, and when to rest.

It’s like having a running coach who never cancels or asks how much you squat. For dads who already have jobs, kids, and chaos, Runna removes the guesswork. You just open the app, press start, and go. And if you need an extra nudge, Runna’s giving Dad Day readers two free weeks with code DADDAY.

Try Runna Free for 2 Weeks (Code: DADDAY)

The Dad Takeaway

Marathon training isn’t about the race. It’s about the version of yourself you meet while preparing for it. You don’t have to love running. You just have to keep showing up. Whether your goal is three hours, three miles, or just staying sane, the finish line doesn’t matter. The training does.

“You don’t have to be a runner. You just have to start.”