Average Runner Trains For Their First EVER Marathon | Chicago Marathon 🏅

Tom has not always been the biggest fan of running, but this year he set himself the goal of running a marathon.
With The Running Channel team behind him, Tom has a few weeks left before he takes on the Chicago marathon. How is his training going? How is he feeling about a marathon? And most importantly…does he like running now? Stay tuned to find out…
↓↓ Have you run a marathon, is it on your bucket list or are you currently training for one? Let us know in the comments! ↓↓
What’s in this video?
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:16 - The Importance of Blood Flow in Exercise
00:02:44 - How to Manage the Need to Pee in a Marathon
00:04:10 - Tips for Hydration and Nutrition During a Race
00:05:42 - Training Your Gut
00:08:52 - Overcoming Irrational Fears in Training Journey
00:10:27 - Training for an Ultra Marathon
00:12:01 - Life Lessons from Running
MUSIC licensed by Artlist and Epidemic Sound:
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[@Kureshiman]

Okay. I’m really, really enjoying tom’s videos. It’s incredible how awesome everyone at running channel is. I’m so invested in Mo’s, Sarah’s, Anna’s, Andy’s, James’, Rick’s, and Jess’ life. And I had no idea I’d be as invested and enthusiastic about another one. And yet here we are!

[@sarahcolliver7650]

OMgoodness! Couldn’t have said it better myself! 🎉

[@jessedardengo5959]

I agree. All the hosts seem like such nice, genuine people that you can’t help but cheer for them

[@yippekiay593]

Same, I'd love to work for them, literally would be a dream job. I work in change and continuous improvement so if you need someone and fancy an extra 'average runner' on the team....hook me up. And well in Tom you'll smash it. Ultra is my goal too, hope you get there!

[@bushmasterflash]

The five hardest things about marathon running. First, getting over any body-conscious issues and deciding you want to run. Second, getting out the door and starting training to run. Third, deciding you are going to do the marathon. Fourth, following and sticking to, a marathon training program (especially in winter). Fifth, and easy if you have done the first four, running the marathon. First ever marathon, go for a finish not for a time. 👍

[@nathaniel23946]

YES!!!! I’m running Chicago too!!! I finally can meet a crew member from the Running Channel!! OMG!!! I’m so excited! I have been watching this channel for several years now! Go Tom!!! So proud of you! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@alexscantlebury7997]

I love that he’s genuinely new and struggling. I love watching the others too but this is so relatable x

[@wullivieh]

I love that you get more beginner-ish runners on the channel as well (though does training for a marathon still count as such?)! Don't get me wrong I love the usual content, but I find this really relatable as it's closer to where I'm currently at :) But also this video and the contrast! I know this feeling so well of struggling through my "fast" workout while my companion is casually chatting next to me because that's more like his easy pace. I appreciate the company but sometimes I feel a little frustrated ;) Can't you at least suffer a tiny bit as well??!! (Just joking, I'm happy we can get in some workouts together) In a way that made the format more entertaining tho

[@irisr4536]

So nice to see Tom in front of the camera and being able to cheer him on during his road to the marathon, go Tom!

[@cars92dtb]

Going for sub 3 - hard realities of it are: 1) confidence and belief in yourself has to be strong 2) consistency is everything 3) suffering with stomach aches is not fun 4) waking up late, then having to work all day and run in the evening-tough as a morning person 5) you won’t hit your paces in your workouts some of the time, but it’s ok, cause if you did you’ve set yourself too easy a target

[@lindenellefson8558]

6. Learned this the hard way: You need to be fitter than you think you are.

[@sarahcolliver7650]

This was awesome! I loved watching Sarah’s running progress and now we get to see Tom’s journey. So relatable. Thanks for putting yourself out there Tom , warts an all. Mo, what a star to help. 🎉🎉

[@andrewopenside3224]

Tom, I am invested! Looking forward to following your progression!

[@DeathIsNye]

Tackling my 2nd Major in Chicago. Hope to see you out there, Tom.

[@jassaljs]

Best wishes Tom!! We know you can nail this👏👏

[@autumn_runs]

Best of luck! Chicago is such a great first marathon! I ran it in 2021 and have since then now ran 4 full marathons because I loved it so much. You are now officially added to the list of people I will be looking to cheer for there. (Along with all my favorites elites) What color sign would you like?

[@runningchannel]

Thank you for all of the support! What ever sign you would like to make would be amazing! Have you got any other marathons lined up?

[@valeriepoulin4297]

I love seeing Tom on the same journey I am and similar paces. It’s really inspiring❤

[@runningchannel]

Brilliant! Do follow his progress.

[@epictortoisetrailrunning]

Fair play on putting yourself in front of the camera and for a marathon, no less! Well done and really looking forward to watching your journey!

[@runningchannel]

Thank you!

[@spencerharper6182]

So looking forward to seeing the next video!!

[@jemmasykes1909]

Amazing video, enjoy your training Tom and enjoy your marathon, looking forward to your videos 🙂

[@Kelly_Ben]

It will be fun to watch your journey! Best of luck, can't wait to see how it goes!

[@James-nv9fi]

I love this video. Great demonstration on how everyone is making an equal effort whether you’re pushing for a sub 3 hour marathon like Mo (who is clearly a machine) or just getting started like Tom. Great questions and super positive. Thanks lads.

[@Ruateddybear2]

I’m running Chicago!! You got this! It’s an amazing experience, the crowd support is awesome. We got this!!!

[@scottcollier9178]

Bets of luck, Tom! It'll hurt but you'll feel great crossing the finish line.

[@shaurybirmishra3936]

Would absolutely love to see Mo take on an ultra next. The man's a tank, he'll surely crush it!!

[@jamesbouchier1148]

Just found these. Really helpful, ive got a place in London next April, will be my first marathon 😮

[@jencreamer3486]

Chicago will my first marathon, too! I'm feeling good in training so I'm feeling fairly confident about it. Good luck to you!

[@Leeroy49]

You really will need training resilience the last 2-3 hard weeks before the taper starts. Mo's right: the "secret" to longer distance running is stacking training blocks on top of each other without getting injured basically.

[@robfelts8076]

That was powerful! Thanks!

[@TheAnatous73]

Best of luck Tom!! You got this!!💪👏👏👏👏

[@Christian_Jara]

I wish you a great Chicago marathon, I'll be running it too and this weekend is my 20 mile training run which I call my dressed rehearsal run, after that I taper, I advise you to really listen to your colleges from the running channel, they have great advise. This will be my sixth marathon and they all hurt, the difference is in your training and how mentally prepared you are, wanting to run an Ultra is an awesome goal but please do not take the 42km lightly... they will bite if you are not fully committed. Just enjoy it, you won't regret it.

[@steadman1969]

Tom is my new favourite presenter 😊 so happy he is training for a marathon.... yay

[@kimhargrove2013]

🎉 you are going to smash this. I am running my first-ever Marathon at 58th in Florida in January.

[@veromikes]

I’m running my first half marathon in February in Florida. I’m training. 50 yrs old.

[@J0hn.Turn3r]

Great stuff for sharing the story - will definitely be tuning in for all of Tom's updates. Also, how ace is Mo?! :D

[@starky88]

Having a gel/sustenance BEFORE you feel tired! I've just learned something. 😁

[@wheresbicki]

Im planning to run the Chicago Marathon next year. Best of luck!

[@gretchenw2613]

Mo gave some good advice here. Thank you for this video.

[@cardiogiggoer]

Great work Tom 👊🏻

[@andy1397]

Good luck on your marathon, a distance I have yet to cover but I have same ambition as you, an ultra awaits for me

[@katrinajohnson4101]

Hey, I didnt know you are comming to Chicago. I'll see you there!!!! This is so awesome!!!!

[@kristinthemom]

Let's go Tom!! This is really motivating and inspiring to me. I'm still newer into it still and getting my fitness back and have been considering a full in April and seeing these videos has really made me want to just go for it. The dream for me would be ultras someday and it seems like such a far off dream but seeing you going for it and making it happen is reminding me why wait?! Let's do the things. Life is so short, tomorrow never promised. Chase (or run :p ) after those dreams! Thanks for sharing your journey Tom!

[@runningchannel]

Thank you for watching! Never lose sight of your dreams!

[@Kelly_Ben]

Wherever you are right now (short of injured), you CAN run an ultra within the next year! Just commit, register for it, and go for it! You don't need to follow other people's paths and progressions. Get yourself up to a 3 hour long run (or a 16-18ish mile) and you'll be ready to dive into a 50k for a finish. From there, your fitness will take a huge jump, and you can REALLY have some fun!

[@ulfeliasson5413]

My best wishes! Show them how it's done! :-)

[@hairyairey]

From a very long time of running I have observed that runners do not drink enough (hypernatremia is rare). I drink every bottle I take, drink no more than 1 litre per hour and don't drink in the last 5km (any benefit is marginal at that stage). I recently ran a 10 mile race without a drink at all, apart from the cup of tea I downed just before the start. Also, chucking away bottles after a sip or draining them out just gives a terrible image of running as a whole.

[@paulallan192]

I’m doing Chicago marathon as well, I hope you enjoy the experience🤞

[@jackiemoosemoose2381]

Good Luck in Chicago! I'll be there too.

[@oh_wall]

Wooooo go tom!

[@styx85]

Best of luck, Tom!

[@saras4507]

Loving the videos which mix the faster runners with “new/ average” runners

[@runningchannel]

Glad you're enjoying them! We hope to have something for everyone.

[@simonhodgson4941]

Best of luck

[@Hazelhills]

Good luck on your long run! And do not count on Chicago being chilly. They have had some cold years and some VERY hot years. October is a bit of a crapshoot. Do most of your hydrating the days before. And then on race day, try to stop drinking 1-2 hours before the race.

[@runningchannel]

Thank you for the great advice!

[@Cozwantsthatpie]

I always love these marathon series! It really inspires me for my first one next year. I hope we get a series of Andy’s too so we see the differences between Tom’s, Sarah’s and Andy’s

[@Games-tx1zc]

I hope you enjoy Chicago! One of the best cities in America!

[@wendystrout4435]

I hope he gets time to enjoy the. It’s post marathon. It’s a great city.

[@meganchabot]

Im also training for my first marathon! Doing NYC! 🤘🏻🗽

[@dazdarren9926]

I’m also doing Chicago as my first marathon. I hope I see you there

[@runningchannel]

Good luck! How are you feeling about it?

[@dazdarren9926]

@@runningchannel I’m ready for marathon training to be over. I feel perpetually tired and hungry. Hoping the body holds up a few more weeks and a couple more long runs before the big race

[@TeeBee-qz3wy]

Terrific to see you get right into your training. Am I hearing it correctly that you want to run your next marathon in sub 3? 4:15km pace?

[@adamwillcox522]

good luck

[@Veroweithofer]

See you in Chicago! 🎉

[@runningchannel]

See you there!

[@Veroweithofer]

@@runningchannelhow did it go?

[@abqp7158]

I'm doing Chicago, too! It's my 8th. Training bit patchy this time. Any chance of a Running Channel meet up?

[@monikaczng]

Great job Tom! Rooting for you! 🎉 I am considering running my first marathon as well next year, in Rome. So far I've only run half marathons. But I'm afraid that if I get pregnant meanwhile, I won't be able to participate. @RunningChannel, any thoughts on what distance is it okay to run while expecting? 😅

[@runningchannel]

This video might be helpful! kzbin.info/www/bejne/omHJq5mZjN2kZrs

[@glennnicholls8510]

Tom if you cut your bars into small pieces before the run is so much easier to eat them. You don't really want to be chewing chunks off the bar while you're running

[@jordanarcher5899]

If you fancy the ultra, book it before the marathon, it will keep you running over the winter, without a goal i always find a reason not to go out for the long wet miserable dark runs

[@Kelly_Ben]

So true, same here!

[@AstrumG2V]

My first ultra felt easier than my first marathon! 50k over 12 hours is not nearly as taxing on my body as a 4 hour marathon!

[@dqdave]

Do you need to load up with water before the start? Can you cheat and just use the pit stops to get enough? ( I like to avoid peeing as my legs don’t like being still because they will give up)

[@looijmansje]

Yes, you should drink quite a bit before the start, but not too close to the start. Drink quite a bit upto 1.5-2 hrs before the start, and after that just take an occasional sip. Drinking more and you'll perpetually have to pee. Also drink quite a bit the few days before, but not so much that you'll need to wake up to pee every few hours (been there done that).

[@axelnils]

Basic rule of thumb: 300 extra ml/hour of running, as in on top of what you would usually need to drink given the temperature on the day.

[@dqdave]

Other than water (which I think is the best drink) what second secret liquid is good to load up on before the marathon. (It’s my 11th Chicago, but older now and a bit worried)

[@hairyairey]

@@dqdave hydration tablets are good to add to water - whilst water will rehydrate you almost as quickly as beer (demonstrated on Duck Quacks Don't Echo) it won't replace electrolytes and help you avoid cramp.

[@pierremichaud2397]

Love it beautiful humanoids!

[@EvilSecondTwin]

Wish you the best on your journey, Tom. What is your time goal for this Marathon?

[@GeorgeEdwardsVlog]

I feel systemic fatigue

[@CheeseBlackOps]

How tall is Tom? He makes Mo look small

[@runningchannel]

Over 6ft!

[@Bertziethegreat]

The pee question was one I really wondered about. Good to know I'm not alone in needing to pee a lot.

[@chrisshaw2810]

Nothing new on race day - including drinking 47 litres of water before the start because people tell you to 'make sure you are hydrated'. On the morning just do what you'd normally do, and then drink to thirst during the event. It isn't difficult.

[@mickfanning93]

Drink water, but balance with salt/electrolytes so you're balanced and not trying to pee to balance yourself out

[@droy333]

"I hate long runs"... "I want to do ultra marathons" ... like mate, make up your mind.

[@Kelly_Ben]

Long road runs are boring torture to many, even marathoners. Ultras, on tricky trails with incredible views, insane canaraderie, and good food, are usually far from boring. I would rather run 31ish miles in an ultra than a half marathon road training run ANY day!

[@scbrit6483]

you need to put your fork down my friend!