RUNNERS!!! Why did you sign up for a Marathon?

AZTrailRunner

I'm just curious why some of you ran your first Marathon, or are training for your first. Is it to feel accomplished? To tackle the next distance in the line-up? To follow in a family member's footsteps?

Whatever the reason, I'd love to hear what it was that motivated you enough to warrant the hundreds of miles and hours of training. Thanks.

speakz82

It's been a life long dream.

When I was a kid, I wasn't fat but wasn't "athletic" by any means. I was always the last kid to run the "mile run" in school, and was even called grandma by my gym teacher. :P I finally did it, and live for running. Told by family members I don't have the genetic makeup of a runner, so don't even bother with it. All those years of negativity caught up to me, and I let it fuel me to chase after one of my dreams. Maybe not as exciting as everyone else's answer, but I remember people telling me I couldn't. It got me through my entire race last week.

Kellysue32

I ran the Tucson Marathon 12 years ago after losing 150 pounds...I did it just to say that I could. Stressful job, baby, and moving kept me from maintaining my loss. Well, I take that back...my inability to handle life stresses made gaining weight easy

Anyway, now I am back to running and loving every minute of it. Training for a half in November but would love to do another full next year!

Mommawarrior

I have not signed up for my first one yet, I did my first half marathon August 21st of this year. I want to run a marathon more than anything in the world and I can not tell you why. I don't know why. I just want to. I love to run. I love to sweat, I love to run for long long distances just to do it. It relaxes me I guess. I love the feeling for the next several hours, the "runners high" they call it. I just love to run. I am not big on time, I would love to get to a 9 minute mile, but I am not in it to win, I am in it to run.

WildflowerAL

I decided I needed a challenge. I will complete a marathon and two 50k's between now and January 30, 2012. Once you start--you can't quit!

lisab42

Started because of a need to prove something to the world.
Lost 80lbs and it
Changed to a need to prove something to myself.
Now I continue because I love it,
love it,
love it.

wbgolden

I want to finish a half with no walking this time. Next goal is a full Marathon, I'm thinking June.

Why? Because I want to be that guy crying like a baby on the home stretch, as I start to realize the magnitude of what I am about to accomplish.

Topsking2010

Last Year I was obese and lost 50 pounds by joining a weight loss support group name TOPS. As a result of my success, I was name Maryland TOPS King for 2010. A group of TOPS members plan to walk the Baltimore Marathon but I got bored while training and decided a bigger challenge would be to run the race and maybe inspire others to live a healthy lifestyle.

Also my marathon buddies who decided to run the Baltimore Half marathon didn't even invite to run with them so I have a chip on my shoulders to prove I can do it despite the race course having lots of hills.



Learning proper nutrition and hydration has been the biggest challenge.

Top

Scoobiesnax

On long run training days, and during the early morning, 5:00 am runs, I likely ask myself this question at LEAST once every mile...

:grumble:


If I ever figure out the answer you'll be the first to know, AZ...

NashvilleShelley

I signed up for a half marathon in April 2012. I did it because two years ago I walked one mile to the store and had to sit down half way there and half way back. I could not believe how out of shape I was. Last year I did the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer 39.3 miles. I still smile when I think about that. I walked every inch with a huge blister down the entire side of my left foot at about the 22 mile mark. I sort of slacked off on my walking since then and have found it hard to walk 3 miles. So, I have started walking again... 5-6 miles per day. I am up to running about 5 mins. of it. I sure hope by April I can run more! I can walk 13 miles in 3 hours so I am hoping to finish the half marathon in under 3 hours. Not a huge goal for most people but it will be for me. I want to finish it and not come in last!

jillybeanruns

It has always been on my list of things to do in my lifetime.

Last year started running again after some injuries forced me away from soccer and running for 2 years. Started C25K last February to ease myself back in slowly, ran my first 5K last April and have run 29 other races since. Early this year I decided this was my year and I registered for my marathon before I even ran my first half. I have not faltered or wavered on my commitment and am looking forward to crossing that finish line in November! I think you just know when it's time to do it!

mhughescmu

I decided to run the 1/2 marathon next year - ****'s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. I have only run five races in my life, four 5Ks and one 5 mile. I have been inactive for two years ( I will use job as an excuse). I picked a 1/2 marathon, because I cannot imagine running a full marathon at this point. Frankly mompleting the 1/2 marathon is also pretty far out there, but it is my goal--but more than that it is a reward for the work I will do between last Wednesday (Day 1) and race day in May 2012 to finally get in shape.

At 45-years-old I have been a yo-yo dieter, I have ranged from ok shape to just out of shape but not obese. I will use the first 90 days to build my body. I need to dramtically increase my cardio vascular capacity, I need to get some muscles built up and I would like to tighten my core (no I don't need washboard abs I just was to lose the dad spare tire).

I would like to go from 208 to 175 from race day. Sorry women I drop weight quickly, but the last 10 pounds will be the hardest. My low over the last 20 years was 184 in June 2009.

I have never lifted weights and I am working with a trainer to develop a plan. I don't want bulging muscles just toned.

In January, I hopefully will have completed a lot of capacity building in terms of my cardio vascular work. Then I have a four month training schedule to get me from what I hope will be being able to run comfortably five miles up to the 13.1. As I said the goal is to finish, but I would like to do it under 2:15.

So why: The rest of my trainwreck life is coming back together. I am doing this for me because it is outside of my comfort range and if I can do this I feel I will have broken through a barrier that to this point has been outside my capacity to achieve.

Matt

LixxiKitti

I've got a half marathon in about 5/6 weeks.
I signed up because I LOVE running and love races and also I've always been really unfit etc so I wanted to prove to myself that I'm different now.

mafery

On long run training days, and during the early morning, 5:00 am runs, I likely ask myself this question at LEAST once every mile...

:grumble:


If I ever figure out the answer you'll be the first to know, AZ...

I love this. I swore after my first and only marathon in 2009 when I was hurting and cried during miles 22-26 because of poor training (ran the full in 6.5 hrs --- I have since ran 7 halfs and 5ks, with my PR at 1:57) that I would never run another full, well I am running one next year after two more halfs.

I ask myself this during every every long run... and the day before the event.

Scoobiesnax

On a serious note, I signed up for my first marathon to give myself a challenge, to have a goal to achieve, and to prove to other people that I was able and capable of doing it, regardless of how critical they were of my abilities. It's been a long summer of training but as race day gets closer I'm so glad I decided to do this for myself. The sense of accomplishment I get each time I achieve a new "first" or reach a new goal on the training plan is like nothing else I can compare it to. I certainly don't get that at my job right now (let's not go there) and the marathon training has helped keep me somewhat sane this summer. I can't wait for race day in 3 weeks !

Scoobiesnax

I'm loving some of the responses here so far...some really awesome and inspirational stories !

mafery

Oh yeah to answer the question, to finish a full marathon before turning 40 AND i just lost the bulk of my weight, I lost 95 lbs. Now it is to beat my best time in a half and for a full to erase that bad memory from my first one along with that 6.5 hour time tied to my name.

kelsully

I am a runner...but I am a true distance runner....I can run a steady pace for a long long time yet put me on a track for a 100 meters of even the 800 meters and I just don't shine....I get tremendous joy from running. Marathons were on my bucket list and after having 4 kids in 6 years I was running steadily again I sat with hubby for a while and said if I am ever going to do this...the time is now...well we made it happen last year and are making it happen again this year. I also use my marathons for cancer fundraising. I wanted to be able to say I had done ONE...but I will run many more before I am through...

silkysly

I did the Warrior Dash because I thought I could. (5K with obstacles) I’m 49 & more fit than anyone I know, so I thought WTH? I placed 15th in my age class & 437 outta 7,763 other people. That’s even with all the 20-something peeps. I’m running the Indy 500 Mini next.

2dayirun4me

Because I believed in myself and knew in my heart that i could finish it, and i did Akron Road Runner Marathon 2010, Cincinnati's Flying Pig 2011.

Adrenaline_Queen

I have never trained, little bits but nothing much untill the last couple of years... Now I love the buzz I get from training and running... wow what a high...

I ran the Bath half this March then the Bristol half this month, never ran before in my life, then at TKD camp last year I liked the buzzz I got from running to the beach at 7am every morning only 2 and a half miles, I was so unfit then, also we trained for an hour on the beach and in the water, then jogged back to camp...

Came home and looked online for the Bath half!!

I wanted to do something my children could watch me do and cheers on others at the same time and i wanted to do a half marathon before I was 40.

Before the Bath half, I only ran about 3/5 times, twisted my ankle and had to rest for a couple of weeks, 3 miles once 6.

I do a lot of cardio have been for nearly 2 years, so that was not a problem, but I could not walk for 2 days after!! My legs where not used to it!! Lesson learnt!! xx

So for the Bristol half I trained, well ran once a week whilst still doing my cardoi workouts. But I had put on a stone in a month, so did not do so well... Did not notice until I seen the pictures on the Internet!! I thought whoooooooooo.... Hence being here...

Am looking forward to doing the next Bath half in March 2012, will train evern harder for that one and be even fitter.... And have less weight to carry, I would be able to run so much faster then! xx

I would love to jog more, but my motorvation is pants!!! I like the buzz after several miles, but getting to that point is hard, I just cant be assed, if that makes sense??

Joining a running group this Thursday and will see if that helps xx

katapple

I signed up for my first half because of the promise of wine after...ok, not really...only a little bit because of wine.

I enjoy running, yes, even 12 miles. I love the high I get, I love the sense of peace I feel, I love the accomplishment.

After several weeks of training for my second half, I decided to start training for a full because I have been feeling so good after long runs. I said I would never do a full, who wants to run that long anyway? Not sure I'll do another one again...but the reason I signed up is because I never know when my body is going to tell me to stop, and I never want to have the regret of NOT doing it

PS. My full Marathon is in 5 weeks!

AZTrailRunner

I'm loving the variety of reasons listed. Personally, there have only been a few moments in my life that I wanted to do a full Marathon, and the majority of those thoughts were with the Marathon at the end of an Ironman Triathlon.

But who knows what the winter will bring. :bigsmile:

cariandy

On long run training days, and during the early morning, 5:00 am runs, I likely ask myself this question at LEAST once every mile...

:grumble:


If I ever figure out the answer you'll be the first to know, AZ...

I'm right there with ya Scoobie (In a half marathon sot of way!) This summer 5 am was muggy and steamy and now 5am is DARK! We just can't win! so I really have to ask myself that question! :laugh:

I guess because I've never considered myself a 'runner'..but now I guess I am! :happy:

_Sally_

I did my first marathon because it was on my bucket list to do a marathon before I turned 30.

Four marathons later, I'm planning on doing two marathons next year, and hope the second one will be my Boston Qualifyer.

As I always say.....The marathon begins at Mile 20.

I run marathons because you see what you are made of between miles 20 - 26.

Each race is a different experience.. different courses, different weather conditions, and your body is in different states of fitness. I've finished in elated joy with bounds of untapped energy and I've also finished in pain and relief that it's finally over.

I would rather go long than fast. I find it to be very meditative to find your gear and hold steady.

HealthiHannah

I haven't signed up for a marathon, but my ultimate goal is to be able to run a marathon (non-stop if thats possible!)

I have always wanted to "be a runner" but when I was younger I never was athletic of any sort. I had the short, stocky body even though looking back I realize I was only short... No one ever told me that it was ok to not be fast right away, or that it was ok to switch between running and walking to build up your endurance. All I can ever remember was sprinting to the finish line and then not being able to pull myself together for another run.

Now that I am older and looking at my life, my health, and even my happiness... I realize that I need to do what I have always wanted to do.... become a runner. After hearing MFP people talking about C25K and fartleks I have realized that I don't need to be fast, it is actually a really good idea to build up your endurance before worrying about speed. So, now that I know this, I have decided to put one foot in front of the other and start building myself up to be a runner. I signed up for my first 5k which is next Saturday.

Oh yeah, and the ultimate deciding factor is that my sister is making me do this 5k with her ---- so I had to train beforehand!

FitCoachJen

I signed up for mine because if I didn't sign up, it would always be sitting on my bucket list. There will always be races to run, time to train and other pressing priorities (or so we hope). I put my money where my mouth is because once I parted with it, I KNEW I'd train and put in the hard work necessary.

Why do I want to run one? I've never done it and I wanted a challenge and another sport I could take up. I was in a pretty bad car accident about a decade ago and was told I'd never walk again, so this is a pretty big milestone and testament to my determination. Plus, I needed something to train for...you can only do so much cardio inside a gym!

Legs_McGee

Skydiving and running a marathon were the two main things on my bucket list (now I've done both and need to add some more items to my list). Before I started running, doing a marathon seemed like such a crazy unattainable feat - who runs 26.2 miles?! Once I started running, once I ran my first half marathon, suddenly it seemed doable - and I wanted to know what it felt like to accomplish that.

And today I found out.

R4z0r4Mm0

By the time I've trained for my first half-marathon in May 2012, I would be 40 years old have lost 101lbs. 2 months after my first half, I will then race my first marathon in July.

Just like the usual "flying-dreams"... I have had many dreams of running long and fast - I'm certain this is one of the things I have to accomplish in my life.

crux

I got stalled in my routine, and it became obvious that I needed a goal to train for, rather than the goal just being general fitness and fun.

I eventually found my goal race, it’s a 26 mile fell race over three of the highest peaks in my area. But it’s considered much tougher than a road marathon and there is quite stringent qualifying conditions. (3:20 road marathon time or two 20+ mile fell races)

So in preparation and to help the qualifying this coming year I’m running a road marathon in April, I think it will mentally help me to know I can cover the distance in a decent time.

I’ve run a bunch of races inc half distance but this will be my first 26 miler.

Pebble321

I'm not dreaming of a marathon - YET, but I am training for a half in February.

I always wanted to be able to run, but have always been the most non-coordinated, non-athletic person I know and it just seemed like an impossible dream. I love to read books about long distance running or walking (like Flanagan's Run by Tom McNab, Africa Trek by Alexandre and Sonia Poussin) and always wanted to be part of something bigger than me, something I didn't think was possible.

I met my first goal of doing something that seemed impossible by running a 12k race at the end of August- that was a bittersweet victory because I really wanted to do it for my mum who had terminal cancer -she asked me about 6 weeks before the race "are you really going to run that far?" and I said yes. So I had to do it for her. She died just two days after the race so she knew I did it and people have told me that on the day of the race, she told everyone in the hospital that I was doing it (along with the 40,000 other people who ran/walked that day!)

Now I know that I can run, I need another goal - I love the way that running keeps me grounded and focused and helps me cope when I'm upset or sad or stressed. So, the Busselton Half Marathon is my next target. That's in the town where my dad lives and the path goes past the hospital where mum passed away so I will feel as though I'm running it with her and I know my dad will be there to cheer me on too. I don't think it's going to be an easy run - although it's a flat path by the beach all the way it is in February (mid summer in Australia) so I'm going to have to do my longest training runs in the heat and will have to really focus on staying hydrated. But, I'm going to give it my best shot!

I'm loving everyone's stories, thanks for sharing.