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

cathcakey

I signed up for my first marathon by accident.

My friend and I were walking an overnight marathon for a breast cancer charity (the moonwalk), and as an incentive for people to donate money to such a good cause we pledged to RUN a marathon, but only if we raised over £1000 for the moonwalk. Which we really didn't think we'd get.

And, well, we did. Which was quite a surprise.

So now there's no getting out of it - we're running the Paris Marathon in April 2012. I enjoy running, but my mileage has never been anything much over 10Km, so this will be quite a challenge, but I'm looking forward to it!

electriq

I'm a little tired to write about what attracts me to the Marathon right now, but keen to keep an eye on this thread, will go back and read and contribute properly later. Thanks for starting this cool topic

rybo

Cause it seemed like the thing to do at the time

I had gotten back into running consistently and had done a half the previous year, my running was going good, so I figured why not. Honestly that's all the more inspiring my story is. I suppose the biggest "feat" of it all is that although I've always loved running, I was a sprinter and anything more than one lap on the track was "far". So to go from sprinter to marathon was a pretty big journey.
Early registration opens tomorrow so I will be signing up for my second marathon, next May.

tigerbluefly

Where do I start.... First, I love all the replys. The running group is an amazing group of people and the more races and events I attend, I see that first hand. You guys are all amazing!!

I started running in March 2010 right after I turned 40 with no intention of every running a marathon. I was just running to get myself ready to help one of my close friends pace run his 100 mile trail run that coming September. He told me that it would be more of a run/walk through the dark, wee hours of the morning, so if I could get to a 10K run I would be fine.
I hit 5K in 3 months and was so proud. I then got a little too confident and figured I could run a Half in September, two weeks after my pace run event. Not sure why I thought this was do-able but I signed up and kept running.

That 100 mile experience changed everything for me. I watched my friend go through his darkest moment ever, fight with his mind and his body about what he was doing, and watched him overcome the mind and find the strength to finish that 100 miler in 29 and a half hours. I was amazed!! You truly can do anything you put your mind too, and with the support of others around you, helping your when your mind is telling you that you can't. It's all mental, I truly believe that now.

I ran my Half two weeks later and the day after I signed up for a 30K for March of 2011. That's the next goal right? I wanted to push myself. After that 30K it was a given that I would run a Full, and I am, in 3 weeks.

My brother was a marathon runner and I was 21 when I watched him run in to the finish line in Toronto. That was 20 years ago, this October. Next month I'll be crossing that finish line with him in spirit. He lives in Arizona now and unfortunately can't run anymore due to a back injury. He has been very supportive in my training though and passing along tips etc....

So why am I running a marathon? Because I can do anything I put my mind to and I want to show that it's never to late to start something. How far can I run is the next question? That is something I want to explore more. Seeing that I doubled my distance in one year, I plan on doing the same this coming year. Next September I will be running my first 50 mile trail race with my 100 miler friend there supporting me this time. Who knows what will happen after that. 100 miler in 2013? That's just crazy talk.....lol

Keep running!

trijoe

About 6 years ago, I started walking as part of my fitness regimen for losing weight and becoming healthy again. It was all treadmill. As I got stronger and better, I started running. Not fast, and not very far. As I kept improving, I decided to throw a marathon into things, as a way to "test" my fitness. I picked one with a time limit I knew for a fact I could go under. By mile twenty, I was crying for my mommy and wondering seriously why I didn't just stay on my happy little treadmill. That was 2007.

3 weeks later, I did my first triathlon, and was hooked. I found that triathlon training was easier on my creaky knees.

I still do running races - half marathons every now and then, trail races (the muddier the better!), and some 5K's with my oldest daughter. But mostly I race triathlon. Does it count as a marathon if it comes at the end of swimming 2.4M and biking 112M?

I'm notoriously slow. Truth is, my speed never increased with my love of racing. I can train till I drop, and I'm still a Back Of Packer. I've come in DFL (Dead ****ing Last) on two occasions. My triathlon friends are constantly telling me how it's all "attitude". Apparantly, in their minds, even the slow and talentless people are supposed to be fast and talented. But I don't care. It doesn't stop me. There's nothing more exciting than race day, no matter how many people finish ahead of me.

A quick addition: Reading the other responses has been hugely inspirational! You guys ROCK!!! I love all the determination, drive, and defiance in the responses so far!

princessjaffacakes

Love this thread!

I decided to run the London Marathon when I was with my ex. It was a pretty bad relationship, going stale and I felt a bit trapped. I wanted to do something that was totally mine, and no one else could have any say in, or take credit for. I had always enjoyed running and done a few 5k's and 10k's, but had never done the longer distances.

I decided I'd run one by my 30th, so had 4 years to get in otherwise I would've paid to do it for charity. Managed to lose teh ex and kept on entering the ballot. Luckily got a ballot place on my 2nd entry, and dedicated my place to Macmillan.

It was honestly the best experience of my life, and the feeling of crossing that line and getting hugs and incredulous looks from my friends and family isn't even describable. I still get a bit emotional when I realise I've actually done it!

Its by no means easy, it takes a lot of dedication but it is possible, and is truely an amazing experience x

Good luck to all the runners here, whatever distance - I'm thinking of a half next as its the only distance I've not done.

larisadixon

I am that sister! lol

Legs_McGee

And I also wanted to FINALLY put my magnet on my car:

gingerfoxxx

I had just finished a half marathon, and i was drunk on glory. and bloody marys. So, yeah.....i have a full marathon to start training for.

AI1108

I haven't done a marathon or even half marathon yet but I plan to. As the youngest of 4 children I always felt like I wasn't good enough. My older sister is the "perfect older sister type" and my brothers are both pretty athletic. I was always the slower, bigger one that got picked on. I got the genetic factor of my metabolism from my mothers side which are all slightly shorter and a little stout so my siblings always looked at me like I was the "fat" kid, even though I was like 5'3" 135-ish lbs. I guess in a way it makes me feel stronger? and like I CAN prove them wrong? So here I am.. running on my own two feet and it feels great! :-)

AI1108

and the more I run.. the more endorphins .. the happier I feel!! :-)