26 Things We Learned While Training for 26 Miles

1. Applying vaseline in the Museum of Science parking lot before a run might look creepy to an outsider.
2. Sometimes four beers the night before a long run is the perfect way to hydrate and carbo-load.
3. Two words: swamp ass.
4. Dark nail polish can cover any nasty toenail problem, or at least make the nail fall off faster.
5. There is no wicking fabric that can protect you from a 20 mile run from Maine to Massachusetts in pelting rain.
6. The two best tools in our dresser drawers: the stick and body glide – yeah baby.
7. A marathon is 26.2 miles, right?
8. If you need headquarters for your marathon training program, call Cheryl at 617-555-5555. Shower and faulty electricity included. Complimentary before and after photos.
9. Training strategy that you will not find in any book: it’s easiest to calculate your split when running a 10 minute mile so why run faster?
10. Cliff Shots are not as much fun as Jello shots.
11. What cause are we running for? The Ben and Jerry Fund.
12. Users of the Minuteman Bike Trail are a lot nicer to you when you run on the wrong side of the road. After 9am they are even nicer.
13. Want to aggravate your running partners? Freeze your fuel belt liquids the night before a long run and listen to the ice shake for 15 VERY LONG miles.
14. Peter is not a polygamist and chooses to only be married to Michelle. Good thing we have replacement Sherpas on the way.
15. Screw the ocean. Only run marathons in cities with large military bases nearby. The scenery is great!
16. People question your sanity when your car ride to get to a run is shorter than the run itself. They also question your sanity if you drive ANYWHERE to run, really.
17. After running on a treadmill for 18 miles, you feel the need to pee in a bed of woodchips and drink from upside down water bottles. Weird.
18. You’re not pregnant, your body fat is just really low.
19. The fat you lose in your chest will go directly to your ass once you stop training.
20. Why pay $350 for a Garmin when you can get ‘Dre for free.
21. There is nothing a little Justin Timberlake and Lady Ga Ga can’t get you through.
22. If it’s a marathon and not a sprint, then why do speed workouts?
23. Soccer: the best way to sabotage your training.
24. Compression socks, anti-blister socks, Tek socks. Remember when socks were just socks?
25. Running: a great way to make new friends and get free therapy.
26. When 6 people are traveling for 5 nights, need 4 different lodging arrangements and 3 different planes leaving from 2 different states, they just need 1 pink shirt to bring them together.

26.2 THANK YOU! We couldn’t have done this without the support of all our friends and family who kept us motivated.