During the past three years there are some things that I’ve done during marathon training which make the average person question my sanity.

Running 17 miles super early along the West Side Highway before a flight.

Wearing compression socks under my work clothes.

Skipping a fun night out because I had a long run the next morning.

Packing my running gear with me for every single trip.

I am sure there are plenty of other things but these are the ones which are most often referenced in a joke or conversation. However, I think today marks the craziest thing I’ve done during marathon training.

 This morning I ran 20 miles before 7:30am.

Each year, during training, I try and convince my running friends and even local running stores to change their long run schedule to Friday morning. It is a perfect combination as it allows you to enjoy the full weekend without needing to adjust any plans or schedule to fit in a long run. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy long runs just as much as the next runner. But, I didn’t enjoy what long runs did for my social life and relationship during the first marathon training cycle back in 2010. I said no to one too many social events that Fall while also taking away the time Bo and I had together during our sacred weekend time. For the past 3 years I’ve completed around 75% of my long runs on Friday mornings, almost exclusively solo until this year.

Luckily, my Geneva running buddy and friend, Emily, is crazier than I am. Due to a work meeting in Lausanne, Emily informed me that she needed to complete her long training run by 7:30 in order to shower and make it to the train station. She apologized that we wouldn’t be able to run together but invited me to run the last few miles with her since we normally start around 6am. I gave into her crazy plan without blinking an eye. She suggested that we start at 4am which would allow us time in case our pace slowed or we needed to stretch along the way or stop for fuel.

I promised that in exchange for her company I would plan the route in advance ensuring that we didn’t have to do too much thinking at that hour.

The result was the strongest 20 mile training run I’ve had in my history of marathon training.

The focus on our starting time forced each of us to plan accordingly which meant we were each home from work by 7pm and in bed by 8:30. Our pace was right on point based on my training plan. The route ended at mile 20.03 just a tenth of a mile from our respective doorsteps. We fueled at miles 6, 12, and 17 similar to how I fueled in last year’s marathon. We chose to listen to music more than talk due to the early hour. My Spotify playlist kept my mind off of the early hour and instead caused me to bob my head and find an unusual amount of energy.

There is something to be said for marathon training. Over the years it has made me an even more dedicated and driven person. Give me a challenge at work or in my personal life these days and I feel I can find a way to work through it. Nothing is impossible if you think outside the box and focus on the positives. Sure, waking up at 3:32 is difficult and never that enjoyable.

Hell, the birds weren’t even chirping and there were still people exiting clubs. But, run 20 miles by yourself towards the end of marathon training and you’ll most likely wish for company more than an extra fuel stop. The camaraderie of someone else’s footsteps and breath along side yours while you make your way through dark streets and see your warm breath in the cool, early morning air is both motivating and the sign of a true running friend.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve done during training?