I knew what I was getting into when I signed up for September’s Berlin Marathon—I’d run New York two years earlier. But training in the height of summer surprised me all over again with how different each day could feel. No two runs were alike. Some days I felt light as a feather, my feet barely touching the asphalt. Other days were harder, my legs heavy in the heat. Sometimes I felt completely free, in tune with my body but detached from it in my mind. Other times I was acutely aware of every step, each one walking the fine line between pain and pleasure. I tracked my miles down to the millisecond in a small notebook, along with random notes: how hot and humid it was, how many gels I’d had. I’d done the same for New York, but with less detail. This time, I was trying to beat my first time (about 4:14) and maybe, just maybe, run under 4 hours. Writing it down made that goal feel more real. The one thing that stayed mostly the same during training? My gear. I wore as little as possible whenever I could, using every pocket in my shorts and sports bra. I memorized where every water fountain was in Prospect Park—and along the West Side Highway too. Since Adidas had generously invited me to run the Berlin Marathon, I trained in their Adizero EVO SL model—a daily sneaker that’s incredibly light but still supportive and cushioned—and the Adios Pro 4. The latter, a race-day shoe I saved for my long Sunday runs and the marathon itself, was part of a collaboration with French running brand Satisfy that came out in the spring. (The Adios Pro 5, a newer model, came out shortly before Berlin, but I felt oddly superstitious about switching shoes at the last minute.) Nerves turned into excitement the week of the race, and as I got ready that Sunday morning, I felt a bit like Lara Croft in Tomb Raider, with my phone and all my Maurten gels tucked into the front pockets of my sports bra. Jittery, I pinned my bib to my shorts, laced up my shoes, and, well, you can imagine the rest. I ended up crossing the finish line in about four hours—3:59:59 by my watch, or 4:04 according to the bib’s tracking. I’m happy either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs The Unexpected Joy of Running a Second Marathon
1 What exactly is the unexpected joy of a second marathon
Its the surprise of enjoying marathon 2 more than your first With the pressure to just finish gone you can relax run smarter and actually soak in the experience
2 Why do so many people say the second marathon feels better than the first
Because the fear of the unknown is gone You know what mile 20 feels like you know you can finish and youre not making rookie mistakes like going out too fast
3 Isnt it harder to train for a second marathon
Not necessarily Your body already has the base fitness so training often feels easier The bigger challenge is mental staying motivated when its no longer a brandnew goal
4 How soon after my first marathon can I start training for a second
Most runners wait 46 weeks of easy running before starting a new training block A good rule pick your next race at least 46 months after the first
5 Do I need to train differently the second time
Often yes Many runners add more speed work longer tempo runs or higher mileage because the goal shifts from finish to finish faster or finish comfortably
6 Whats the biggest mistake secondtime marathoners make
Assuming itll be easy Overconfidence leads to skipping easy runs ignoring niggles or racing too hard too early Respect the distance every time
7 Can I run a second marathon if my first one went badly
Absolutely A rough first marathon is actually one of the best reasons to try again You learn what went wrong pacing fueling training and fix it
8 What does the joy actually feel like during the race
Less panic more presence You notice the crowds the music your pace You trust your training instead of whiteknuckling every mile
9 How do I stay motivated for a second marathon
Set a new goal a faster time a hillier course a charity fundraiser or running with a friend A fresh why keeps training interesting
10 Is it true the second marathon hurts less
It can because you pace better and fuel properly But it still hurts