TODAY's Sheinelle Jones Says Marathon Training Has Been Like 'Therapy'
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TODAY co-host Sheinelle Jones, 45, shared her ambitions for training for the New York City marathon with WH back in September. Now, days away from the big race, she's reflecting on everything she's learned while logging miles.
I've been taking it day by day the final two months of training. I literally only look one or two days ahead with the training plan. What's amazing is, the training works. Before I started, I had to gear myself up to run five miles. Now, if it's five miles on my schedule, it feels like a break. I never thought I'd be in this place.
I've done a lot of running in Central Park, along all sorts of bodies of water, and all over New York City to get here. Sometimes running in Central Park feels like I'm in Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood; people see me and they know what I'm doing. I'll hear, "I'm proud of you." I can't help but get emotional when people tell me that they're inspired by me. I haven't let it sink in until recently.
After I completed my first 18-mile run with the Nike running group, I felt ready for race day.
I felt like a fish out of water at first, joining all those other runners. But by the time that group run was over, I knew my running companions would be in my life forever. That day and during other training runs, I have met people who will officially be friends for a lifetime.
Also, let’s not forget, it was pouring rain that day. I think we crossed through three boroughs in New York City, all in a downpour. At one point, I just had to laugh. The water was pouring on my face. I was soaked to the bone. My socks were drenched. I thought, okay, if I can do this now, I'm ready for whatever race day holds.
I'm so thankful for that experience—and that the weather is looking great for marathon day.
Running has been like the therapy I didn't know I needed.
I can put my AirPods in, and my sneakers on, and just be free for that amount of time. When I run, I put my hectic schedule on the shelf, and I have peace with just my feet and my breath. I meditate. I pray. I listen.
Sometimes I listen to gospel music. Sometimes I listen to hip hop. My mix has changed. In the beginning, it was just quick, fast pop music. I've realized I don't need that beat to keep going. I can listen to slower songs and more meditative music, and I can still keep running.
My new running soundtrack has made training more like a therapeutic experience now, and I can relax through it and enjoy it.
I've also had a lot to unpack and relearn while running to be able to even get through 18 miles or 20 miles or 10 miles.
I’ve learned to be kinder to myself and give myself so much more grace. I didn’t realize I hadn’t been doing that before. You have to say positive things to yourself and treat your body the way you would treat a friend.
I've said this before, but it's even more true: I thought the reward was going to be the day of the marathon, but I had no idea there would be so many rewards in this training process. Every day and every week, I can genuinely say I feel stronger, and the runs get easier.
Training for the marathon has allowed me to feel and say, I'm proud of myself.
To be 1,000,000 percent honest. I don't think I've ever said that. From being an overachiever in high school and going to Northwestern, to graduating and getting the job in this business, and climbing up the ladder, I don't think I've ever said I'm proud of myself. Now, I am, and I'm saying it out loud.
I believe the difference is adding the physicality of running. That's why I think I'm so proud of myself. Running like this is something I just never thought I could do.
Even when people said it would be hard to break into the TV business, there was something deep down inside of me that never doubted I would do it. As long as I did the work—I sent out 50 audition reels—I knew that eventually it would result in a job offer.
But I never thought I could be a runner. With my packed schedule, somehow I've managed to still pick up the kids from school, figure out how they're getting dinner every day, get the kids to soccer, get the kids to music theater, do my job, and go on interviews. I'm proud of myself.
I've proven to myself that I can prioritize my time and make space for myself and that has been a lesson that I will hold forever. It's not easy, but there is space.
My coaches set bigger goals for me than I could have dreamed for myself.
When I decided to run the marathon, I set out to just finish.
When my coaches were saying their goal was for me to run 10:30 minute-miles, I would just smile and nod at them.
But slowly and surely, we're doing it. I'm doing it. During that 18-mile training run, I kept up with the group, and next thing you know, thanks to those pacers, I hit the under 10:30 minute-mile mark.
That's something I never thought I could do, especially without stopping. I was so proud of myself. I went home, and I never really take baths, but I took a bath.
The only other time I've thought this much about a single day was my wedding day.
There are a lot of parallels when you think about it: Everybody gives you advice for a marathon just like a wedding day. Everybody asks you what you're going to wear. Everybody asks you about your shoes. Everybody asks you what you're gonna do with your hair. Everybody asks, "are you ready?"
So, I'm relying on my own wedding day to prepare for the race. I remember the best advice I got: When you walk down the aisle, take a moment and allow yourself to see the people who are in that church and look around and look them in the eye and look at those faces.
Then, when you walk into that reception, and the music's playing and you're married, look at who's in that room and feel the love and all the planning that went into it and really allow yourself to feel it. It's very similar to the way I'm approaching the marathon.
I really want to soak up every step of the way. I want to take it one mile at a time and look around.
Physically, I'm just hoping that I don't feel it until as late as possible. I need my legs to hold up. Stamina-wise, I'm fine. It's just the legs.
I think at this point. It's just going to be the good Lord and my legs and my training kicking in. It's also emotional so I just have to keep my emotions in check a little bit.
Beyond finishing the marathon, I want to inspire others out there who are juggling just like I am.
If I can inspire others to step out of their comfort zone and do things that we've always wanted to do then that's a success, too. It doesn't matter whether it's athletics or it's in the arts or dancing, I hope others see what I'm doing and say "let's try that," because you never know what can happen.
I feel like it brings out the best in people when they see that you're trying to do something that is legitimately difficult. For the first couple months of this, people messaged me on social media or they'll see me at work or wherever and they tell me "You inspire me" or "I'm going to try to run."
I didn't want to just do this for me, but to do this for the people around me, to make an impact. I want to encourage people to do hard things.
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