If it seems like everyone around you is running a marathon, that’s because…they are! According to Running USA, there were 232,600 women (including me!) that finished a marathon last year. Participation in marathons is at a record high, and numbers will likely continue to grow. If you have been thinking about joining the masses and committing to a marathon, here are four reasons you should click register on that screen:
- The sense of accomplishment. Running a marathon is a wonderfully amazing physical feat. When you inevitably cross that finish line, you will be beyond proud of yourself. Setting a goal and accomplishing it — whether it takes 3 hours or 4 hours or 7 hours — is one of the best feelings in the world. I honestly think that when that goal is a marathon, it feels 26.2 times better!
- Your confidence will grow. While training for a first marathon, every long run is a new mileage record. It will likely be the first time running 16/18/20 miles. You will feel like such a rock star each time you ramp up to the distance to a number that previously seemed impossible to you! After the race, you will be able to think: “Hey, I ran a marathon. I can do anything.”
- You will make new friends. Last week I wrote about how awesome it is to run with a buddy. While training for a marathon, chances are you will find a training partner. You will start to see the same runners on your trails. You may join a training group. Or maybe you will somehow stumble across other runners who are training for the same race as you are. I have met so many awesome folks while training for and running marathons, and you will too.
- You will inspire others. In the year and a half since I ran my first marathon, I’ve inspired a coworker and my husband to both sign up for the marathon that was my first (The Richmond Marathon, if you’re looking for a great race). I’ve inspired another coworker to get into running (he just finished his first half marathon a couple months ago). It’s pretty awesome to be able to share my love of running with others, and I guarantee you’ll do the same when you train for a marathon. And yes, a part of that will be because you will talk about it all the time…but that’s cool, right? :).
Of course all that sounds awesome. However I can think of one big reason NOT to run a marathon…if you just simply don’t want to! In my circle of running friends, there are folks who have run marathons, as well as a bunch of runners who haven’t. Sometimes us marathon gals can get a little crazy and want ALL our friends to run marathons as well. However training for a marathon is a huge commitment and if your heart isn’t in it, then focus on what you love instead.
So, have you decided to take the plunge and begin training for a marathon? Or is it just not your thing?
This post first appeared on Women’s Running.
Ooooh I love the marathon!! It’s my favorite distance. It’s so hard on the body but I love the challenge so much I’ve ran 4 and signed up for my 5th. Those are all great reasons too!
Jess@flying feet recently posted…TNT Tuesday Getting the Evening Workout Done + RnR Savannah Race Discount!
What’s gonna be number 5?
5. It’s a race like no other.
Those were the words that got me to the start of a marathon when I had no desire to take on that distance and they are very true. From the minute you decide which marathon to do to the moment you cross the finish line, marathon truly is a race like no other. It’s not a distance for everyone but if you decide to take it on, enjoy every step (no pun intended) of the way. I did not enjoy the distance of a full marathon, but fell I love w the 1/2 marathon along the way. It won’t be a surprise if I find my self at another marathon start, even though I already said “never again”.
I love your reasoning not to run a marathon. Ultimately it is your decision if you want to run or not. Thanks for sharing these. I think we live in a running world that everyone wants and feels the need to run a marathon. You should run whatever makes you happy!
Hollie recently posted…Cruising Around New York City
Exactly! No pressure from me 🙂
So very true! Those reasons are all why I keep signing up…even when I feel like not doing it!
Michelle recently posted…Leg Burning HIIT Workout
Yes, they are addictive 🙂
These are so true! Great pointers for someone on the fence about taking the plunge.
Thanks! I love the marathon but recognize that not everyone does 🙂
I agree that if you don’t really want to do one, you shouldn’t. Kind of related, my group of friends are all running ultras and doing tris. I feel pressure to join them, but I don’t want to do either of these events. It’s tough!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Annoyed
It is tough – sometimes it’s fun to get out of your comfort zone but other times you just have to say no!
For years and years I cheered people on at marathons and enjoyed watching their accomplishments; I said that I would never do one myself, because it was just too many miles and too much time to spend training. Ha! I agree with you that everyone has to do it when it’s right for them; thanks so much for sharing this post, Courtney!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…A New Home
I love watching marathons because it’s fun watching the elites and what strategies they use, but I don’t see myself doing one any time soon.
Lesley recently posted…Wine Wedesdays?
Thanks for this, Courtney! I had planned to run my first marathon in 2016, but my confidence was shaken this year when I had a fantastic training cycle that left me feeling so strong and confident but was followed by a very poor race performance. I typically do well in training but not in races, and the thought of not doing well for 5.5-6 hours is much more intimidating than not doing well for 2.5 hours. It’s still a tentative yes for me next year, but I’m just not sure I’m mentally ready and wonder if I’ll ever be.
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…Race Recap: Man Up Father’s Day 5K 2015
That’s really understandable. I’m not sure I’m mentally ready and I’ve run 4 marathons (I’m working on it, though!) 🙂
Hahaha we definitely can get a little gung ho trying to convince other people to run marathons! (Like I was just doing this the other day haha.) All great reasons for running one and so true too!
Salt recently posted…One Delicious Race Recap {Fit Foodie 2015!}
Yes. I’ve been guilty of that in the past for sure 🙂
Need to read this going into this training!
emma @ be mom strong recently posted…Squash Hash with a Twist
You are gonna do great!!!
Love this ! I have signed up for my first for April 2016. Scary and exciting at the same time !
Karen – Fit in France recently posted…Les Foulees du 12 : 10K race recap
I’m so excited for you to run Paris next year!!
I would even say that running a marathon helps with body acceptance.
I have large thighs, they never fit into anything – before marathon running I hated them! Once they ran 26.2 miles those thick thighs became my favorite body part.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…Toss Boring Tomatoes & Bring on the Heirlooms!
Girl. I got THIGHS FOR DAYS. I hear ya.
Great list, Courtney! It’s so natural to me to want to train for and run a marathon, that I forget some runners have no desire to do that. And it’s ok!
Cecilia @ MommiesRun recently posted…Oiselle Wednesday: Lesko Bra
Yeah, same here 🙂
All good points for this girl who is firmly on the fence 🙂
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Monday Motivation – #1MillionMinutes
Can’t wait to hear what you decide! 🙂
I’m doing my first one this fall! I’m terrified but super excited all at the same time!!
Maddie @ Dixie Runs recently posted…Dixie Update and her PAWPACK!
Good luck!
The time commitment is starting to get to me but for some reason I keep signing up! It’s an addiction!
It IS an addiction. I just can’t help myself 🙂
I believe I’m going to take the plunge of my first marathon this year–at the Richmond Marathon! I was born and raised in Richmond, so I feel it’s only fitting to run Richmond as my first marathon. Still deciding on if I’m going to do it this year or not (I’m about 2.5 months postpartum!)
Awesome! I’ll be running the half (I’ve run the full the past two years) and am blogging about my training for the race. Do it! 🙂