Comments on: Marathon Runners Are Awesome, But I Don’t Want to Be One

By: Jeff's House

Jeff's House — Fri, 22 May 2009 01:51:02 +0000

You can come and yell for me in Crystal City this October, when I’m on mile 23 in my marathon debut and will be wondering why the hell I am doing this?

By: Melanie

Melanie — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:41:01 +0000

I’m way behind on my Google Reader so I’m just now seeing this, but I wanted to say thanks for the shout-out. Sometimes even we marathoners can’t really put into words why exactly we do it. We just know we love to!

By: Surfergrrl

Surfergrrl — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:39:15 +0000

it seems most people I know who have run a marathon use it as a measurable goal. You’re right, it sounds great at parties. I for one, have never had a desire to run one, even though I’m a fitness advocate. I don’t like running, period. And I also think it’s way harder on your body than other types of exercise. But I think it’s great when people accomplish one. Different strokes…

By: judi

judi — Sat, 09 May 2009 18:06:46 +0000

i love running. and i love running marathons. because i baby my body and take vitamins, get acupuncture, and massage on a regular basis, i didn’t even feel like i ran 26.2, just 2 days after my event this week. :) i love having a regiman, a schedule, a routine. i need discipline like that.

By: Days of the Broken Arrows

Days of the Broken Arrows — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:54:06 +0000

According to the Half Sigma blog, there are stats that the death rate of marathon runners is higher than that of almost any other sport. The human body was not meant for long-term punishment. Here are some links:
http://www.halfsigma.com/2007/11/marathon-runnin.html
http://www.halfsigma.com/2008/10/suicide-by-marathon.html

By: Kel

Kel — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:20:59 +0000

Running a marathon is alot like climbing a mountain..its something exhilarating and inspiring…yes, I am the person who did it because she wanted the challenge, i wanted to say at the end of the day – I DID IT..I can do anything. Is it something I will ever be great at-No, I’ll never set records or be known for my ‘marathon time’ but in the end, I’m ok with that. I like taking something that seems so ‘large’ and saying I accomplished it..telling my girls ‘you can do anything you put your mind to’ and meaning every word of it (and having the medal to prove it.) I think it boils down to this…people do what they find drives them…be it running, finding the best deals in the store or blogging. It what fuels our passions.
~K

By: Holly

Holly — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:03:21 +0000

I know when I’ve trained for my marathons (even for my 1/2 marathons), MANY people have let me know how crazy they think I am! I know I am crazy for doing it, but I am also lucky that I haven’t been plagued with bad knees or prone to random injuries – aside from my most recent one.

I know I give up a lot when I train, and sometimes I wonder if I’ll look back and regret it? But then after not being able to run and being a bit of a bia during that time, I know it’s a good choice (my friends/family certainly agree!). :-)

By: LJ

LJ — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:03:22 +0000

I agree – I think some people’s bodies are just more suited to this type of endurance test. And I definitely don’t think it’s a healthy idea for just anyone. I know if I were to run that much, I would want to eat more than is healthy for me to compensate – LOL. I find it amusing too that they do those major carb-a-thons prior to big events like that. Doesn’t eating thousands of calories of white pasta negate the upside of subjecting your body to that torture? I do think it’s a major statement though of mind over body, for sure. Will power to persist through something long like that shows something for sure!

By: Mandi

Mandi — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:21:40 +0000

Although my IT Band keeps me from running marathons, I have to admit to being a fan of long-distance running.

There is something about: the dedication required to get yourself trained (because let’s face it, I will never be one of those people who can wake up and run 13-miles without training); the motivation to push yourself over a long distance; such tangible proof of progress and accomplishment. Whenever I feel like I’m getting too complacent with life, I challenge myself to a half-marathon to get myself focused again.

So, it doesn’t have to be only about marathons — let it be about your distance of choice, or your activity of choice — whatever it is that makes you feel alive and kicking!