Four-Loop Marathons: What Is the Trick?

Four-loop marathons can be daunting, so what is the trick to completing them?

I asked a friend this recently about a four-loop marathon that he had completed ten times. I had run that marathon three times and its half-marathon, two-loop cousin three times.

I had told myself “Never again!” to four-loop marathons. I had bought the “It’s boring!” argument. I also had bought the “Why run four loops when there are so many one-loop marathons?” argument.

But, this particular marathon falls on a special day. And, it would be a great substitute for a one-loop marathon that I would have to miss in the same month.

My friend had completed many other four-loop marathons, too, for a total of at least 20, I’m guessing. In contrast, I had completed a total of five four-loop marathons. He had at least four times the experience that I had.

So, I asked him what his trick was, and he gave me a great answer.

My friend broke down his answer into two parts: the challenge, and how to overcome it.

The challenge, he told me, is that the third loop is the hardest. He explained that the third loop’s start reminds you that you have two more loops to complete.

He overcomes this challenge by a combination of focus, joy, and imagining the future.

• He focuses on the task at hand: completing the third loop.
• He finds joy in the scenery and being on the course on a special day of the year.
• And, he imagines the near future, with the relief of starting the fourth and final loop.

If I were rewriting Mental Tricks for Endurance Runners and Walkers today, then I would include this one.

This trick reminds me of the difference between joy and happiness.

• Joy is immediate, such as eating a delicious breakfast with friends.
• Happiness often occurs after the fact, such as washing a car or painting a room.

An activity may not provide special joy in the present. But, completing the activity can yield lasting happiness.

This trick finds joy in the present but achieves happiness through focus on the future.

With many four-loop marathons under his hydration belt, my friend must be a master.

But, there is one thing that takes him — and his wife, who has a similar record — to the next level. This particular marathon lets you stop after two loops for the half-marathon medal!

I am in awe of my friend and his wife. I am grateful to him for sharing his trick for completing four-loop marathons. And, I plan to apply it soon, something that one should do after learning something new.

If you have your own trick to completing four-loop marathons, then please share it below. Other readers and I would like to know!