Fall is just around the corner. Fall means many things… school, crisp clean air, football, leaves falling, and… marathons. There may even be one that goes through your community. Perhaps you’ve watched it each year, thinking, “I should try this.” Maybe you’ll watch it this year and think, “Next year, I’d like to do this.”
But as many of us consider marathons, we believe they are crazy things that we feel we just can’t do. Others can run them, but not us. No, marathons are for really fast, fit… marathoners. Not regular Joes. Yet, still, for many people, the notion of completing 26.2 miles (in one day) doesn’t go away.
So we wonder. Could we?
What does it take to run a marathon? Do you need to be 5’8″ and 130 pounds? Is it necessary to have been a high school track star? Or even just a high school athlete? Do you have to have a gym membership, the best gear, a Runners World subscription, and all the time in the world to just… run? To all of those questions I’ll answer with a resounding N-O.
Basically, I’d like to say that if you’re reading this post, there’s a pretty good chance you can run a marathon. You made it past the first paragraph, didn’t you? That demonstrates interest in the subject, and the first of my marathon requirements: You gotta wanna. If you don’t have some desire, no matter how large or small it is, then probably a marathon isn’t for you. You see, a marathon takes just as big a mental commitment as it does physical commitment. Maybe the mental component is even bigger. Because, as seasoned marathoners can tell you… when the chips are down, and you are in the heat of your training or the actual marathon itself, there will be many times when your body will want to quit. If your mind listens to the desperate cries from your body, you’ll most likely give it up. “Well, yeah, my left calf does kind of hurt, and my couch would feel a lot better than this blazing hot running trail right now. I’m done.”
No, you must decide, with almost the same amount of consideration you’d give major choices such as life partners, careers, and places to live… that yes, you want to run a marathon.
After making that declaration, you need to evaluate your life, your schedule, and your overall health, and then find a marathon that fits in with your “big picture.” If the last time you laced up your shoes a genuine actor was our president, you might want to first ease into fitness and start with some 5 or 10 K’s. A physician’s evaluation is probably a good idea before anyone decides to start training. Finally, good shoes are an absolute must. The bottom line is, evaluate where you are physically and mentally, and lay down the groundwork so that when the timing is right, you can proceed with your training.
Do some research on where and when you will run your marathon. Find one that interests you. Then register. Follow Nike’s advice and just do it! If you’re like me you will probably freak out for a minute or so after you sign up for your first one. But then, with each day into your training, I guarantee you will get more and more psyched at what you’re doing. Yes, there will be some challenging days when you ask yourself why the hell you signed up for this, but underneath it all you’re going to think what you’re doing is pretty darn cool. Because it is.
In the coming weeks, I’ll deliver more advice as you proceed through this mysterious land of marathoning. But for now, I’ll give you a few places to start in your quest for advice. The first, a great book by John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield- “Marathoning for Mortals.” This book shows you that a marathon isn’t limited to superhuman athletes… it’s an attainable goal within all of our grasps! Check it out!
And, below is an inspirational video I stumbled upon in blogland. Check out Ben’s story, and how he not only ran a marathon, but reclaimed his life and happiness in the process.
Bottom line, there are a million reasons why a person chooses do run a marathon. All you need to have is one good one that moves you. And that reason will guide you on your journey. I guarantee it!
