Training for a Marathon vs. Planning a Wedding

In honor of the 2011 Country Music Marathon today, we've re-posted our wedding planning blog!  Congrats to all the finishers!

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We took the opportunity to train for the Country Music Marathon this year & loved it! We were so ready to do the ½ marathon but then the weather forecast called for thunderstorms & possible tornadoes – we chose to stay home this year! But in the mist of all the training, we couldn’t help but make the connection of how much training was kind of like planning a wedding! Not just the stress & being sweat-drenched every single day until the event, but the whole idea of bringing it all together made us realize how alike they are.

Training for a ½ Marathon - First, you must make the commitment to begin training at least 12 weeks prior to the event. You may consider consulting with a trainer for tips & ideas on how to reach your goal.

Planning a Wedding - First, you must make the commitment to stick to your budget & begin planning preferably at least 6 months prior to the event. You should seriously consider securing a Wedding Consultant to ensure you reach your goal with no worries!

Training for a ½ Marathon - You should start slow & only walk/run a mile every other day for the 1st week to keep from over stressing your body.

Planning a Wedding - You should start slow & make a list of all the different vendors you would like to use to keep from stressing your mind.

Training for a ½ Marathon - You will then increase your distance by a mile per week for the next 6 weeks.

Planning a Wedding - You will then start meeting with vendors so as to make selections for the next 6 weeks.

Training for a ½ Marathon - Don’t forget to pay attention to details like hydration, body stressors, potassium & electrolytes. Training is one of the only times you can eat tons of carbs without worry!

Planning a Wedding - Don’t forget to pay attention to details like candles, flowers for centerpieces, guest book, attendant gifts & toning your body. Once you select that bridal dress, you don’t want get to the day-of & wonder why that zipper won’t go all the way up!

Training for a ½ Marathon - By week 8, you are over the ½ way point in your training & should be able to do 10 miles fairly easy on Saturday.

Planning a Wedding - By month 4, you only have 2 more to go & should have all of your vendors secured.

Training for a ½ Marathon - The week before the big event, you should be worry-free & know that you will be able to complete the ½ Marathon. Your muscles & body are toned & you have that adrenaline high so that nothing can stop you now!

Planning a Wedding - The week before the big event, you should be worry-free & know that you will have a Wedding to remember. Your vendors’ time of arrival are all confirmed, your family & friends have all RSVP’d & you have that adrenaline high so that nothing can stop you now!

Training for a ½ Marathon - It’s the night before the big event & you couldn’t be more ready! Drink lots of water & eat as much pasta as your body can stand to give you that extra energy rush for tomorrow. Then sleep, sleep, sleep!

Planning a Wedding - It’s the night before the big event & you couldn’t be more ready! Drink lots of water & eat a nice bowl of pasta to give you that extra energy rush for tomorrow (& they say pasta helps keep the tears away). Then sleep, sleep, sleep!

Training for a ½ Marathon - You are on the starting line, “on your mark, get set, go”! Run like there’s no tomorrow, listen to the crowd cheer, cross that finish line, smile proudly as the most beautiful medal you’ve ever laid your eyes on is placed around your neck! You did it!!!

Planning a Wedding - You are at the beginning of the aisle, Cannon in D begins to play, march like there’s no tomorrow, listen to the crowd rise, say those vows, smile proudly as the most beautiful ring you’ve ever laid your eyes on is placed on your left hand! You did it!!!

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Happy training for your big day!