This is for those who have always wanted to run a marathon, but don’t believe they can do it. I’m here to tell you it’s possible. I have never considered myself a runner (still don’t actually), but I have completed a marathon, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. It was also one of the most challenging events in my life. Great challenges yield great rewards. You CAN do this.

Below is one of the greatest Nike ads I’ve ever read. No pictures. Just tiny words that carry big inspiration. I had this hanging on my wall for years:

No one runs in my family.
I am not built like a runner.
My bones aren’t hollow.
My legs aren’t gazelle-like.
As a child, no one ever said,
“Now that one… she’s going
to be a runner.”
I am not a marathon runner.
But, I know that no one
is a marathon runner until
they actually run one.

How did Nike know?! That’s exactly how I felt when I first signed up to run the Honolulu marathon a few years back. My friends and family thought I was crazy because, well, no one ever thought, “Now that one…she’s going to be a runner.” But I quickly learned it was more about the mind than it was about the body. Of course you need to be training weekly and putting in the miles, but the real work begins with your mind.

I’m not a trainer or an athlete or a medical professional, so I’m not here to offer you a training regimen or suggestions for overcoming potential injuries. I am here to offer you support, encouragement, and practical tips for a beginning marathon runner. From one non-runner to another.

• I strongly suggest jumping right into a full marathon rather than starting with a small 5k race. Wading into the water slowly has never been my style. Jump right in, I say! You can try out 5k, 10k, and half marathon races along the way. You’ll have to run that far during training anyway. Might as well get a glimpse of the actual race experience. There’s something about being surrounded by crowds of people running that pumps you up.

• Keep the inspiration going. Look for it wherever you can. Cut out images of from magazines that remind you of your goal. You don’t have to spend money and get a subscription to a running magazine. Jamba Juice and other local smoothie places often have free newspapers with ads for running gear and info about upcoming races. The pictures are inspiring and the words are informational. Plus you can’t beat free.

• For your first marathon, don’t worry so much about time. Make your goal about finishing. One you have a finishing time, you’ll be inspired to beat that time for your second marathon.

• Don’t train only on a treadmill. It’s helpful, especially on rainy days, but the marathon won’t be on a treadmill, so it’s important to get outside and run. It’s a very different experience. And jogging in the rain can be very refreshing.

• I highly recommend joining a running group. There are lots of groups out there who provide training tools and help raise money for good causes. If raising money stresses you out, but you want to train with a group, many cities have local running groups for a minimal fee. In my experience with Team in Training, the tips I learned from the coaches were invaluable. Not only do they inspire you, but they provide you with plenty of advice along the way—about nutrition, injury prevention, choosing the right shoes, etc.

“We’re only running seven miles this weekend.” I distinctly remember saying that to a friend who asked how many miles I was putting in one particular weekend. I actually used the phrase “only seven miles.” I couldn’t believe it. How had I come so far? Mile six of training was huge for me. I actually cried as my teammates high-fived me when we we finished because I couldn’t believe how far I’d come. Recent events had left me feeling down and out and just plain hopeless. And here I was, getting out of bed early on a Saturday and RUNNING. I couldn’t believe I had it in me. Now when I face adversity or challenges in life that just seem too much to handle, I say to myself, “If I can run a marathon, I can do anything.” And so can you.