Meredith’s Training Diaries: How I Broke My Marathon Personal Record
This is the season two finale of Training Diaries , a Lifehacker series about my journey to the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon. This episode covers all the ups, downs and repeats of the hills leading up to the race on Sunday, November 24th. I cover proper fueling, injuries and setbacks, treadmill tips, wardrobe malfunctions, the logic of long-term running, and just thinking about what it takes to cross the marathon finish line.
Since my first marathon in 2019, I had never beaten my time—until last weekend. Until last weekend, I was convinced that beginner’s luck had helped me set a pace that I would no longer strive for. Not only did I set a new personal best by 12 minutes, I also beat last year’s race by a whopping 22 minutes . As someone who writes tips and tricks for my fellow runners, I feel like I should put my money where my mouth is. While some of this was undoubtedly due to the accumulated experience of running a marathon every year for six years, by far the biggest advantage was the route itself.
Race day conditions, or pure luck
I don’t want to downplay my training, but I have to be honest: sometimes setting a record just depends on race day conditions. This year’s Philadelphia Marathon provided just that: a flat course, perfect weather (cloudy, about 50°F) and incredible crowd support. Any runner will tell you that not all marathon distances are created equal, and the hills are what make or break you. Elevation changes can have a significant impact on your time, and a flat course provides a more consistent pace and less overall fatigue.
Of course, to take advantage of race day conditions, you need to be knowledgeable and prepared. Even though the weather forecast was cloudy, I put on a hat in advance , which protected me during unexpected sunny periods. After overheating during a November race last year, I decided to opt for shorts over leggings. And when I chose the shorts, I knew I would go crazy with my chafing stick. (Shoutout to the Body Glide anti-chafing stick —it’s usually a life saver for only $8.99.)
Improving my refueling strategy
In 2023, I threw up after running the New York City Marathon . The culprit: over-hydration.
It should surprise no one that one of the most important aspects of marathon success is proper hydration and nutrition. It’s not just about drinking water when you’re thirsty or taking a gel when you’re hungry—it’s a strategic approach that can make or break your race.
First is hydration before the race. Start deeply hydrating 24-48 hours before your marathon. This means staying hydrated with water and electrolyte drinks, not just drinking water right before the race. Then you have an actual race day plan. Throughout the entire race, only a sip . Never swallow. I don’t know if I can express this any clearer.
I like to start the seasoning early, around 45 minutes. Next, I consume 30-60 grams of carbohydrates per hour through a combination of sports drinks, gels, and energy gummies. Regular readers know how passionate I am about my gels; for the uninitiated, please check out my Gu Review stories on Instagram . In the end, the main reason it worked on race day is because over the past few months I’ve perfected my fueling strategy during my weekly long workouts.
Conquering the wall
Whether it’s mile 16 or mile 24, every marathon runner knows about “the wall.” This is the moment when your body begins to rebel and your mind becomes your most powerful ally or your worst enemy. I talk a lot about the mental side of things because if you stick to your training plan , your brain is the difference between finishing the race and setting a new best time. Here’s what was going through my head when my mental training began last weekend:
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Embrace the difficult moments : Accept that discomfort is part of running a marathon. If it were easy, everyone would do it.
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Break the race into segments : Instead of thinking about mile 26.2, focus on reaching the next mile marker or aid station.
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Positive self-talk : Develop mantras or mental strategies to get through difficult sections. This year I tried to tell myself over and over again: “ I can do hard things .” And I was right!
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Visualization : Practice mental imagery during your workout, imagining yourself strong and resilient through those tough miles. When it came time to act, I felt like I was simply following a well-rehearsed script.
Final Thoughts
One of the most encouraging takeaways from my experience is the reminder that training for a marathon does not require absolute perfection. Skipping a few training runs (which is what I did!) won’t ruin your entire training. And if you trust the process , consistency matters more than randomly missing sessions.
Setting a personal best is about more than just physical fitness. It is a holistic approach that combines strategic preparation, fortitude and the ability to take advantage of extremely fortunate circumstances. Your marathon journey is unique, and every race is an opportunity to learn, grow, and surprise yourself. I believe that if marathon training gives you anything (other than sore muscles), it’s perspective. (And if training for a marathon takes one thing away from you, it’s your toenails . Who needs them?)
Look. I’ve had some truly terrible races in my running career. Last weekend reminded me that the mantra I tell myself is actually true: I can do hard things.