The (Almost) Right Way to Run a Marathon
Reflections of the 2025 NYC Marathon
There is a right way to run a marathon. And I think I got about 75% of the way there.
Most things I did were, honestly, pretty perfect. I paired a lot of intentionality with a healthy dose of “let’s just see what happens.” I spent way too long deciding what color to wear, trained on and off (emphasis on off—life stuff happens), and said yes to whatever vaguely athletic challenge came my way. My boyfriend coordinated people, signs, and the Partiful—basically acted as project manager of joy. Friends showed up, strangers cheered, I ran, I smiled until I thought my cheeks would fall off.
Would I change anything? Maybe one or two small things—some pre-race logistics, a slightly less chaotic checklist, more carrots less cake—but honestly the day was pure magic.
My “right” way to run a marathon might not be your right way. But if you’re a planner, and you like to add a little bit of glitter and wonder into your future endeavors, you’re going to have a great time.
Pre-Marathon Prep
Tip 1. Don’t overthink the plan.
You can drive yourself crazy researching the perfect training program, the best gel, the exact shoe that will make you 2% faster. If you’re a first time Marathon runner, just pick something and commit. I followed a plan… loosely. I also sprinkled in various exercise challenges over the past 8 months like the “Unofficial Official NYC Walking Marathon,” a spontaneous decision to do the Brooklyn half, and a sprint triathlon in Cohasset, MA because…why not. I wanted the things surrounding the hard thing seem less hard. My main surprise during my training was that I started liking the long runs more than the short ones—something about losing track of time and just being out there, sun on your back, wondering if you still have toenails.
Tip 2. Run with people (or don’t).
At first, I thought I needed running buddies to stay motivated. But once I got into longer runs, coordinating became impossible. Different paces, different schedules, different vibes/moods. So I started going alone. Just me and my audiobooks. Turns out, solitude can be a surprisingly good training partner.
Tip 3. Make it fun.
I ran for my friend’s nonprofit (thank you Brave House for your support!), so fundraising was part of the deal. I hosted something called The Mini Olympics, which involved finding tiny versions of useful things—mini tape measures, mini Vaselines—and handing them out as prizes. It was absurd and delightful. Making the process feel like a party (or at least an art project) helped keep the whole thing exciting.
Tip 4. Document the process.
I was… not great at this. I wanted to take videos, write about it, turn it into an art piece. But I got burnt out. Even writing this now feels like reliving something almost too big to put into words. Still, my future 80-year-old self will thank me for capturing any of it.
Tip 5. Health matters (shocking, I know).
One sign during the race said, “Create generational health,” and it really stuck with me. Mostly because I haven’t quite managed that yet. Let’s just say my taper week diet leaned more toward “celebratory” than “nutrient-rich.”
Day-of Tips
/ When you see your friends cheering? Bask. In. It.
I made the mistake of rushing through photos—smiling, waving, but not really locking eyes or soaking in who showed up for me at my cheer zone. You only get those few seconds once, and they’re electric.
/ Work on your fit! I went full dopamine dressing. Glitter, color, joy—if I was going to run for hours, I wanted to look like the human embodiment of confetti.
/ Things to pack: bandaids, homemade bars, portable charger (lifesaver), tissues, anti-chafing stick. They’ll hand you all sorts of things throughout the course: bananas, bagels, gels, jelly beans, gummy bears, but bring enough snacks to keep yourself from panicking BEFORE you start the race. Eat breakfast—something boring like oatmeal and a bagel—and hydrate a bunch early on. It will also be cold in the morning, I saw a lot of people in bathrobes and bed sheets that they wore then donated. Wonderful idea.
/ Say yes to running with strangers. Some of my favorite moments came from chatting with people mid-race. Seventy thousand humans, all voluntarily running 26.2 miles for their own reasons. It’s weird and wonderful and very New York. Hands down THE best day to be in the city— energy at its finest.
Post-Marathon Reflections
Why did I do it? Why run 26.2 miles…?
It was pretty simple for me. At the beginning of the year, I met a stranger over breakfast in Colombia who told me he picks one hard thing every year. Everything else in life becomes easier because of it. I loved that idea—the challenge as a compass. Misogi as some people call it.
For me, exercise has always been a work in progress. I get bored easily. But this marathon—this chaotic, colorful, unpredictable marathon—felt like the first time I truly committed to something hard and saw it through. At least 75% of the way…but hey, I’m running in the right direction.
A huge thank you to those who donated and helped me cross the fundraiser finish line. I couldn’t have done it without you and your support.
Until the next challenge, keep wandering,
Johnna
Also, did you do any weight training? And what was your completion time?
So I was wondering do you have any running groups you've attended in Central Park or in Brooklyn?