Runner Unlocks Emotional Strength Through Marathon Training

New York, NY – Saba Ahmed, a writer and avid runner, recently completed her first marathon, transforming a daunting challenge into an emotional journey of healing. After signing up in December, she decided to use the marathon as a way to confront past trauma and grief.

“Running has always been a way for me to cope with trauma and grief,” Ahmed said. The 26.2-mile race became a symbolic closure for her, marking the end of a difficult chapter in her life.

To navigate the emotional hurdles of her training, Ahmed enlisted the help of Hillary Cauthen, PsyD, a mental performance consultant. Cauthen stressed the importance of balancing emotional and physical training, saying, “Everyone has a different purpose.”

Ahmed set emotional goals alongside her physical training, journaling to reflect on her feelings and motivations. “Define what it is you want to feel at the end of this marathon,” Cauthen advised, emphasizing that understanding one’s emotions helps redirect energy.

Throughout her training, Ahmed encountered various emotions, including tears and frustration, acknowledging that these feelings were part of the journey. “Instead of running away from those emotions, I ran through them,” she stated.

Three days before the marathon, Ahmed found herself overwhelmed with emotion, realizing the significance of her training cycle in confronting feelings she had previously avoided. “I embraced that discomfort,” she added.

On race day, she experienced unexpected calmness instead of the emotional breakdown she anticipated. “I felt relaxed and happy that it was over,” she recalled. Moments during the race, including emotional music and signs along the route, prompted tears, but they did not hinder her progress.

As she crossed the finish line, Ahmed felt in control of her emotions. “Just as you get physically stronger through marathon training, you should also focus on building emotional strength,” Cauthen reiterated, encouraging runners to tap into emotions as a source of power.

Acknowledging the blend of physical training and emotional growth, Ahmed’s marathon journey reflects the strength found in confronting one’s emotions, leading to a more profound understanding of self.