I ran a marathon! This is what I learned

I ran a marathon! This is what I learned
Me running the Munich Marathon 2023

When I seriously considered running a marathon for the first time, it had been on my bucket list for quite some time. However, finally committing and hitting that "Register now" button was exciting (and honestly a bit frightening) on a whole new level.

In the end, training for and running a marathon might be my best decision in a long time. So if you need that last push to take on your next big challenge - here it is 😉

Needless to say, I made a few mistakes along the way. Here are my top three lessons learned!

#1 Set a realistic goal

Searching for the perfect marathon training plan, I quickly learned that setting a target time was essential for dialing in the right training volume. So I looked at my past running metrics and decided on quite an ambitious target pace.

The key to a successful marathon race? Start slow!

As every good marathon guide will tell you, starting slow is the key to a successful race day. So that's what I did - at least I thought so... At kilometer 30, my body painfully told me otherwise. Setting a more realistic goal from the beginning would probably have led to a much more efficient race and ultimately finish time.

#2 Listen to your body!

No matter how good the training schedule is - not adapting and listening to what your mussels, joints, and eventually your mind says will not only impair training results but can be dangerous for your health!

I learned this the hard way when I started significantly increasing my training volume just a few weeks pre-race. I started having quite bad knee pains and had to stop training altogether. Of course, that was quite stupid in retrospect. The excitement and elan building up to the race had blindfolded me. Of course, that backfired during those final miles.

Pushing myself to cross that finish line

Training more sustainably and only gradually increasing training volume would have been the way to go. Maybe, this way I would have crossed the finish line feeling a little less crushed.

#3 Stay inspired

Pursuing any goal has its ups and downs. But getting through them only makes you stronger in the end. Luckily, you are not alone in those struggles!

Nowadays, the internet provides many great resources to connect with and learn from fellow runners. While for a good friend of mine, it was Instagram pages like Mike Trees's run.nrg, for me the New York City marathon Vlogs by Casey Neistat just gave me such a boost in motivation.

In the end, nothing beats in-person support. So find and connect with your running buddies or get a friend to train with you and motivate each other. As long as you train at your own pace, it will only improve the experience!


I don't pretend to be a running expert. But I genuinely believe that these tips can help you cross your next finish line more easily!

What do you think? What were the main takeaways from your last big sports challenge? Looking forward to your insights!

Nicolai Arne Engel

Nicolai Arne Engel

Munich, Germany