Friday, May 21, 2010

Why Marathon?

I would love to hear why you train and run marathons?

How did your first half or full marathon change you?

If you were to try and talk someone else into training and running a half or full.. what would be your number one reason they should?

11 comments:

stacie said...

I'm not a member of this blog but I've been reading it for a few years. I've never considered myself a runner. I'm 38 years old and I started running 4 years ago to lose weight and get healthy. I went from a size 12 (Feb 2006) to a size 6 (Nov 2008). I ran my first (and only) half marathon in August 2008. I had never done anything that hard in my life other than childbirth. I was crying as I ran to the finish line because I never thought I'd be able to run a half marathon in my life and in 2 hrs, 7 min. It made me feel strong! I felt like I could do anything! I like that feeling. I had my 5th child in August 2009 and I just started training (last week) for my first full marathon, Top of Utah. I'm training for a marathon because I love a challenge and I want to prove to myself that I can do it. I love having that fitness goal and feeling strong and healthy helps me be a better person, wife and mother. That's what I would tell someone. That's my reason. Thanks to those who started this blog because it's been a real inspiration to read about other mom runners.

Amber said...

I signed up for my first half (PF Chang's Rock n Roll half in Phoenix, AZ) because my dad was going to fly out to run the full (and to visit me). I decided spur of the moment to sign up also and to train for a half and am so glad I did! it was the first time I'd ever tried training for ANYTHING. with the help of my husband (kicking me out the door to go run some days), I was able to get in shape and get over some huge mental hurdles. I ran my second a last month, 4.5 months pregnant in St. Louis WITH my dad this time (he wasn't up to doing a full) and loved it. I have since been told by my doctor I'm not allowed to run for the rest of my pregnancy, but plan on doing more halves after!

justme said...

i have only done one half, i have no desire to do a full , i do tris. if i was going to tell someone to do a half, i would say it is a journey and a goal and you will fell accomplished as well as knowing you can do something that at first seems impossible.

Mrs. Spencer said...

That is a great question that I'm not sure I even know my answer too. I guess that I train for marathons (I've done 14 1/2's and 2 full-training for the 3rd) mostly because in my busy life with five kids, a job and so forth...it is precious time for me and I think that training helps me to prioritize my time.
I know that running my first half marathon showed me that I could do tuff things and when I finished my first full marathon, I really knew that I could do tuff things :) I'm able to take that knowlege and apply it to many other areas of my life.
I really try to not talk anyone else into running or training. I really feel that it is an individual choice and that if someone really wants to do it then they will but it has to be something that you want to do for yourself.

Giggles said...

I do it because I can. Because they are there.

I ran my first marathon in 1997. If you can do a marathon, you can do anything. It gave me a model for life really.

When I talk to people about it I tell them they should because so few people actually do. It makes you part of an elite group of people. That feeling at the end of the marathon can't be beat. The feeling at the start when you realize what you are starting out on is pretty good too.

Kelly(M&M) said...

This is a great question. I decided to run my first marathon because I needed to have a goal after I had my second baby. Training for a marathon is a better reason to get out of bed then "need to lose weight", especially when it's cold and dark! I followed Hal Higdon's beginner plan and I only missed one day the whole 18 weeks. I proved to myself that I could set a goal and accomplish it. I take that to every aspect of my life now. Knowing what I was supposed to run each day kept me going and I didn't have to think too much about it. It became my time to clear my head, sometimes be with other moms, and mostly my time to see what I can do! Once I get my run in, it can't be taken from me- it just adds to my endurance bank. I love that! I love seeing my kids cheer me on at home and at the finish line. It teaches our children to set healthy goals and to stay active for life.

oh and arrr said...

Why do I do it? Some days, hell if I know. Others, the good days, it's because I like knowing I can do something most people can't. And because it reaffirms that there's still part of me that isn't defined by my relationship to someone else: wife, mother, daughter, employee, friend.

The only reason I could give someone for attempting a marathon are Because There's Nothing Like It. Which unfortunately is pretty nebulous to anyone who hasn't been there.

Kris said...

I started running after a long hiatus in March 2009 when I was still carrying around 30 pounds from when my son was born in 2007 and I found out I had high cholesterol. After running up to 5 miles for several months, my friend convinced me to do the Half Marathon in Philly last September. I had a great time and think I may be addicted. I did the NYRR half in Brooklyn this past Saturday (May 22nd) and I am 6 weeks pregnant.

I think I love the sense of accomplishment I felt. I wouldn't say "I love running", I think I enjoy the solace when I am running and when in a race, I know it's all up to me to finish. I've lost over 35 pounds in one year and feel so much more energetic. I tell people who think I am crazy that if I can do it, anyone can and if you want to do something good for yourself, start running.It will make you a better mommy!

Melissa said...

Running is the one thing I can do that is just for me. It has nothing to do with my role as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend...etc. I do it for one person, me! I love having something that pushes me to my limits. It is empowering!
I really believe if anyone wanted to, they can do a marathon. A lot of it really is mental. And like everyone else has said, it is so amazing when you finish and realize...look at what I can do! I can do anything! Whether I'm doing a short 2 mile run, or a full marathon...running for me is empowering!

jennie b said...

I signed up for my first 5k in February. I had decided to finally get healthy, and running a 5k was something I had always thought impossible. Then I took part in a local Biggest Loser contest, lost a lot of weight, gained a lot of fitness, and I started doing all sorts of things I thought were impossible. I ran an 8k last week, and I'm doing a 10k in a few weeks. I just signed up for my first half marathon in November. I do these races because I always thought they were impossible and out of the question. As I keep getting fitter, I realize that they aren't. I like the feeling I get when I cross "impossible" things off my to do list.

Unknown said...

I have convinced a few people to do half marathons and train for them. Recently over thanksgiving of last year my husband signed up for the PF Changs race on the fly (I was already signed up to run). I think he did that because he had been watching me run and get healthy and love every minute of it. I also convinced three of my friends from grad school to train for the Nike Womens Half in San Francisco. I convinced them by telling then about the Tiffany's necklace and firefighters at the end - then I gave then a training plan and check in with them via email. They live in LA and I'm up here in SF so it will also be agreat reason for them to come up and visit. I also convinced my sister to do a half marathon last year just by talking about running and how I love what it does for my body and mind. She finished her first half in 3:33 and I committed to spectating and cheering for her. I hope to continue to spread running to my family and friends because its so good for you in so many ways, and you end up just feeling so great about yourself and your body! Keep it up ladies!!