So you’ve ramped up the mileage, and now the stairs at the office feel like a cruel joke. Welcome to the delicate art of training for a marathon while pretending to be a normal human in a business-casual setting.
Let’s start with the legs.
They’re sore. Maybe not “can’t walk” sore, but definitely “this lobby escalator better be working” sore. Give yourself extra time to get places. Running to catch the elevator? Forget it. That’s a young man’s game. And meetings? Build in a buffer: not for prep, just so you can walk there at your new, glacial pace.
Hunger becomes your shadow.
You’ll find yourself constantly roaming the snack area like a raccoon in a Patagonia vest. And if you go out with coworkers for dinner, just know you’ll eat like a linebacker. I once devoured two apps, a massive steak, and polished off dessert while my entire table watched in awe… and I was the smallest person at the table. Your metabolism turns into a furnace. Respect it. Fuel it. Just maybe pace yourself in the snack room.
Coffee will be your co-pilot.
Especially if you run in the morning (which I do). That 5:30 a.m. tempo workout doesn’t exactly pair well with an 8 a.m. client meeting. You’ll need more caffeine. And maybe an earlier bedtime. Soreness has a way of draining energy even if your mileage is under control, so recharge when you can.
You’ll get a label.
You’re now the marathon person in the office. Embrace it. People will ask you about your training and then talk to you about their exercise regiment. Don’t be surprised if suddenly you learn way more about Allen from accounting’s rollerblading club than you ever expected. You’ll also be pressured into joining the corporate 5K. And yes, you’re expected to win. Just smile, nod, and add it to your training log.
Keep the blood flowing.
Seriously. Get up, stretch, walk around, even if it’s slow. Stiffness is a cruel companion. The more you move during the day, the better you’ll feel on your next run and at your desk.
Training doesn’t stop when your Garmin says “workout complete.” It follows you into conference rooms, elevators, and post-lunch slumps. But if you can juggle training and Excel spreadsheets, you’re tougher than you think.
Would love to hear what physical challenges you experience at a desk job when marathon training, feel free to reply to this email and let me know!