Why Marathons Still Terrify Me
Why Marathons Still Terrify Me
When 26.2 Feels Scarier Than 100
If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be nervous about running a marathon, I probably would’ve laughed.
Not because I’m fearless. Far from it. But I’ve run multiple 100-mile races. I’ve spent nights on trails where the only thing keeping me moving forward was stubbornness, caffeine, and a questionable aid station burrito.
And yet here I am.
A few weeks away from the Oakland Marathon and suddenly 26.2 miles feels like a completely different animal.
That realization became the start of the latest episode of our YouTube series Beyond The Training, where Santino Williams and I talk honestly about what the final weeks of marathon preparation really feel like.
The real version.
The Mental Games of Marathon Training
One of the things Santino and I discussed is how differently the marathon distance hits compared to ultramarathons.
In a 100-mile race, six miles barely registers. It’s a warm-up. Something you knock out between snacks at an aid station.
But in a marathon?
Six miles is nearly 25% of the entire race.
Perspective changes everything.
Santino shared that miles 19 through 22 are his personal danger zone. That’s when the brain starts asking questions you don’t really want to answer mid-race.
Questions like:
“Why did we sign up for this again?”
If you’ve run a marathon before, you probably know exactly what he’s talking about.
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Strategy, Hills, and Being Smart
Another part of our conversation centered on strategy.
The Oakland course has a few moments designed to humble you, including the climb near the Bay Bridge around mile 18. It’s the kind of section where pushing too hard can come back to haunt you later.
That’s why we talked about something many runners avoid admitting:
Sometimes power-walking a hill is the smartest move you can make.
Saving energy early often means finishing stronger later.
Respect Every Marathon Finisher
One thing Santino and I both agreed on during the conversation is that every marathon finish deserves respect.
Whether someone runs 2:30 or 7 hours, the marathon asks something from everyone.
Pain. Patience. Persistence.
Those miles don’t care about your pace.
Beyond the Training
This conversation is part of our bi-weekly YouTube series, Beyond The Training, where Santino and I go behind the scenes of our preparation for the Everyday Athlete Clubhouse 2026 Run Club Tour.
We talk about training, yes. But also nerves, life, technology like the Aletheia Run sensor, and the community that keeps us moving forward.
Because at the end of the day, running is better when we do it together.
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