Question for first time half and full marathon runners...

tigerbluefly

This quote kind of captures it for me-the super hero part

In the midst of regular life, running is the touchstone that breathes adventure into my soul. I can feel the trail under my feet, the press of the hill, the gallop of the track, the burn of my lungs, the stir of wonder and possibility. Running reminds me that there is more to me than what is readily apparent much of the time. I don't always need to see it, but oh how I need to know it's there. Like having an alter ego, or a super-cool super-hero identity.
Kristin Armstrong, Author and runner

Thanks again Wendy! I'm borrowing this!

soccermum75

My first response is "Why not?" and my second response is "Because I can".

This is my answer too. I started running to lose weight then I fell in love with running. Never thought I would be a runner. I even thought runners were crazy to run in the rain, scorching sun, cold of winter...well that's me now.

I like distance running, calms my mind, gives me some alone time. I am currently training for my first half marathon ( I started running in April) and a full some time next year.

27strange

I am training for my first half marathon right now.

"Why?"

Well, why not?
I mean there are so many reasons that I am doing this, so many so that there reasons not to might be shorter.
Briefly --- Its proving it to myself, its helping me obtain my weight loss and fitness goals, its the love of the running sport, and so much more.

I ran a lot in high school and college. I got away from it. Sustained a couple knee injuries. Put on 45lbs over the last few years. I am out to prove to myself that despite weight gain, age gain, and knee problems I can get back into the best running shape of my life and beat my personal times and distances.

Kacy

This is pretty much exactly how I would have answered the question!

dreanance

I started running after a miscarriage. I felt really let down by my body so I wanted to use it to do something I could be really proud of. When people ask why I run I usually say "because it's cheaper than therapy".

Kacy

I never ever thought that I would ever want to! But now that mine is just 6 weeks away I am more excited about it than I thought I would be. I don' t know how to quote but someone answered by saying this:

"Why? Because it's going beyond what I ever thought possible. It's working up to and COMPLETING something many people wouldn't dream of ever doing, I want to feel unstoppable. I want accomplishments. Fitness goals are becoming an addiction (a healthy addiction, not one that rules my life).

I dream of the day I cross the finish line of my first marathon. "

I completely agree and find that every day I think of another reason that I run and race and set goals! (and meet them). I love running and am so thankful that I discovered that I love it as much as I do.

Scoobiesnax

And the ones that really got annoying is "you will wreck your knees"

Me too!! So annoying! have bad knees! and guess what? with all of this training, they are stronger and hurt less! SO THERE~ to them!! ;oP

I get the "You'll wreck your knees" response a lot as well.
Usually from people who suffer from recurring bed sores from laying on the couch for so long...

CCGwald

Why? Because the hot neighbor chick is doing it and I can't go 4 hours WITHOUT staring at her butt!

I like having the hot neighbor chickS staring at my butt as I run by!!!

jillybeanruns

Yesterday at work someone asked me why I ran so many races...AHHHHH.

And I said, with all seriousness "What else am I going to spend my money on?" Yes, I'm slated to run about 30 races this year, some I've won entries into...but running is what I do, it makes me happy...just like spending money on my soccer league! I don't really drink, so that $20 for a 5K is what some people spend on just 2 drinks at a bar. My $65 half marathon - 2 nights of drinking. Granted if I go out, I usually don't buy my own drinks...but that's besides the point

bloodstar

I'm not quite ready to jump into a half, full, or Ultra marathon quite yet. I've run half marathons before. I'll aim for the 2012 Atlanta Half on thanksgiving next year.

I run because it feels right. I feel like it's what we're supposed to do. Not sit around waiting to die.

I run to push myself, to discover my limits and to find out that the limits I thought I had, aren't.

Same reason I want to get into triathlons and trail running. Push the limits. I'm not doing to make someone else happy,
I'm doing it to make myself happy.

mtntrailrunner

maybe I'm just weird but I run because I like to run.

someone asked me the other day what I was training for. I said, "*nothing, it's just for S&G".



maybe I should add that I started running to quit smoking. goal achieved. maybe that's why I love running so much ... because I can!




*I am however eyeballing a 50 miler next year

tmccutcheon

I have run 7 marathons but none since 2004 and am now trying to build a base to train for one next spring. I love setting the goal of finishing and then laying out the training plan to get me there. I also find that I lose about 20 pounds while training for a marathon so I guess I better get started since I've got 30 to lose.

321blueeyes

Why? Because it's an awesome goal to achieve!

I started running half marathons about 5 yrs ago, in my 2nd year I tried training for a marathon but developed a stress fracture in the ball of my foot... so backed off my mileage and changed strategies.

Now I run 4-5 "road" races each year 10k to half marathon distance. For anything longer, I run trail races 4-5 each year (22 miles is longest so far... but this was on a mountain so is surely equal to the effort of a full marathon road race! my finish time was slower than a full marathon road race would be too!).

And now I'm seriously thinking about trying for a 50k after I get down to goal weight Any other ultra converts out there?

Topsking2010

bump

twentysixpointtwo

This doesn't answer your question, but it's funny and I posted it on YouTube and it has almost half a million hits. It says something about how people think those training for marathons are crazy !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw5MHsO-JI8

LOVE THIS!

MayMaydoesntrun

bump

summertime_girl

I'm training for a half right now. In May I couldn't run a quarter mile. I can now run 5-6 regularly, and I've gone as far as 8 (albeit slowly!). I'm doing it because I didn't think I was capable of something like this. But apparently, I am!

aschultz9

I ran my first full this past May (my first half the previous May). Running makes me feel like a rock star..that's why

ashesoh1234

I ran my first marathon in 2006 and what I tell people - and this is the honest truth - is that it was one of the most fun things I've ever done! It was a blast! I met the greatest people (training buddies), was in great shape, and learned a lot about myself and what I'm capable of. What's not to like??

KimertRuns13_1

Great topic!
And congrats to all of you on your success!

Why? for me..
The first half marathon was because I'd ran enough 5k's to equal a full marathon I'm sure. I needed a bigger goal than just a 5k. I started running over 2 years ago when I was 230 lbs. Once I lost around 60 lbs I decided i needed a bigger goal.. so I met a group of running ladies and they encouraged me to start training for a half marathon. I did. And then I registered for the one that was local to me. Many people asked why and even told me I was crazy...they still do! But I was determined to do it and my hubby even got on board. We trained together and found we enjoyed it lots. We finished our first half marathon in April of this year. 2:28:05.. 2 minutes faster than my goal!

I've been training since just before summer for my 2nd half marathon which is coming up on October 2nd. My reason for running it... because I'm afraid NOT to. I'm now 70 lbs down and my biggest fear is gaining that back and losing my fitness. Sure I run lots of miles each week because I want to but I feel like having the goal of finishing another half marathon gives me something to work towards so that I don't just quit. My fear is quitting and losing my level of fitness. I've worked so hard to get to where I am today (and still have a ways to go) and I feel like having the goal in front of me keeps me moving forward.

I have 2 half marathons coming up in October and I am very excited.
I have been giving an inkling of thought to a full but most of the time when people ask me if I am going to run a full my first answer is always, "NO because I am only half crazy!" haha

RachelM0717

Sorry to revive an old topic, but I just really wanted to reply!

I starting training for my first half marathon two weeks ago, and I am running it in April.
I decided to run it for two reasons:
1. I never thought I could do something like that. I'm not extremely athletic, and I hate running. However, after seeing several seasons' worth of "Biggest Loser" contestants run marathons on and off the show, I decided I could do it. After all, if a man who was 400 lbs a few short months ago and can make it 26.2 miles, I can run 13!
2. You never see fat marathon runners. Honestly, they're always ripped and in great shape. I had a baby nearly two years ago, and it still looks like I just had him. I'm ready to get in shape. (And if I'm already in shape when we decide to have another, it will be easier to bounce back after the birth.)