Marathon Decision

[Speedyjeep]

Hi

My running partner and I are on the edge of a big decision. Are we
ready to attempt a marathon despite being pretty slow paced runners?
We've run 3 1/2 marathons and progressed well and each one taught us a
lot of lessons. In addition, we've run/walked a much longer distance -
although it take us a long time to complete. We're 99.99 committed
but it's that .01 that keep creeping into our minds. Is the time/
training effort going to be worth it at the finish line? I'm
wondering what other's who have run a marathon think - any advice -
are we crazy? I know when we talk to non-runners - the crazy
consideration is usually the 1st reaction they have. Any thoughts/
opinions/inspirations would be greatly welcome.

Thanks

[Tom Toale]

In response to your question, "is the marathon worth the effort" ....my opinion is ABSOLUTELY NOT!  I've been running for 33 years straight,  have run one marathon,  and the elation I felt at the finish was not worth all the pain and suffering I felt during the race.  For some people,  the marathon is just not the right distance.   I'll stick to the half-marathon and enjoy every step...
Tom

[allison]

On the other hand, such an accomplishment can be hugely empowering. Having finished three, none easy, I have gained so much inner strength...knowing that I can endure...and that has seen me through other difficult experiences in life. I'd rather run a marathon than give birth...marathons don't take as long!

 

My vote is "go for it"....don't look back some day and regret that you didn't give yourself the opportunity to have the experience. Maybe one will be enough...maybe you'll find a new passion...never know until ya try.

 

Allison

[Jim]

I think Tom and Allison are both right. It's tough, and it may not be
right for you. But if you do, you'll know you've accomplished
something.

There's a point most marathoners call "the Wall" that comes somewhere
between 18 and 25 miles that can really tear you up. It makes you
want to quit, cry, fall down, stop. Some do, some don't. It's like
nothing you have ever encountered. Tough. But if you dig down deep
inside and find the strength to push through, you'll know you've
accomplished something. Then you can start planning the next, or plan
the campaign to outlaw marathons altogether.

It's not a decision to take lightly. It's an incredibly brutal thing
to do to your body and then recover from. If you do, plan to take some
time off afterward to recover. You'd need it.

Best of luck,
Jim.

On Feb 11, 6:57 pm, allison <calli...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On the other hand, such an accomplishment can be hugely empowering. Having
> finished three, none easy, I have gained so much inner strength...knowing
> that I can endure...and that has seen me through other difficult experiences
> in life. I'd rather run a marathon than give birth...marathons don't take as
> long!
>
> My vote is "go for it"....don't look back some day and regret that you
> didn't give yourself the opportunity to have the experience. Maybe one will
> be enough...maybe you'll find a new passion...never know until ya try.
>
> Allison
>

> On Wed, Feb 11, 2009 at 6:47 PM, Tom Toale <tm.to...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > In response to your question, "is the marathon worth the effort" ....my
> > opinion is ABSOLUTELY NOT!  I've been running for 33 years straight,  have
> > run one marathon,  and the elation I felt at the finish was not worth all
> > the pain and suffering I felt during the race.  For some people,  the
> > marathon is just not the right distance.   I'll stick to the half-marathon
> > and enjoy every step...
> > Tom
>

[bob]

it would appear that you are ready for one a marathon is a mind game
from around mile 17-23 your mind meeds to be prepared for be out
running or walking for around 5 hours or more your marathon time will
probably me twice your half time plus 15-20 minutes.
i have run a number of halfs but only 2 marathon. if you approach it
from just wanting to finish you will do ok. many running try for a
time on their first and most do not achieve it.
do it beacuse you want to. pace should not hinder you from rrunning
one.
good luck.

[Frank]

I can't speak from marathon experience, only from my personal point of
view.
If you're close to doing it, then you want to do it.
I think you should just do it. If you don't you'll never know.
Maybe you won't ever do it again, who knows?
Me personally? It would drive me nuts not knowing for sure.
I'm not going to tell you that you should or shouldn't...I'm just
saying if you want it, do it...and then tell us all how it goes.

On Feb 11, 6:39 pm, Speedyjeep <speedyjee...@roadrunner.com> wrote:

[Gary]

Go for it. Crossing the finish line makes all that hard work totally
worth it. There are a lot of other really sweet perks. The
finisher's medal, t-shirt, meeting other people as crazy as you, and
let's not forget the free gatorade.
I started running in May 06. Without running any other races or any
prior running experience I attempted my first marathon in September.
Of course I failed spectacularly. I took at chance, and I don't
regret it. I've since finished 19, and enjoyed everyone. If I hadn't
taken that first chance I wouldn't be going to Boston in April.
Running a marathon makes you cooler than everybody else. Good luck on
your first!

Gary Krugger

On Feb 11, 6:39 pm, Speedyjeep <speedyjee...@roadrunner.com> wrote:

[Erin Schmidt]

I say go for it. Just train well and be prepared to hit the 'wall'.
Read as much as you can about different training programs and tips to
get you through. Try different things on your long runs - clothes,
gels, etc...
I'm 26 years old and have ran two marathons. My first was Cleveland
in 2005. Afterwards I realized I wasn't prepared. I didn't know
about the 'wall' and I didn't realize how hard those last 6 miles were
going to be. I didn't use any gels. I hadn't trained in the clothes
I planned on wearing. I had set a goal - something I would NOT
recommend doing. But I had trained well and was only sore one day,
which helped me forget how painful those miles had been at the
end.
After that I decided I would only do a marathon if it was someplace
fun. Kind of silly, but I made the deal with myself that if I was
going to put in the time and effort to train, I was going to pick one
I really wanted to do. My second was the Nike Womens Marathon in San
Francisco last year. I LOVED it. I got there 4 days early, saw the
city, did the pre-race stuff, met up with friends and family. The
race was fantastic. It was perfect running weather. There were
thousands of people (mostly other women). It was just an awesome,
empowering experience. And to top it off I was greeted at the finish
line by the firemen in tuxedo's handing out the finisher 'medal' - a
necklace from Tiffanys in the perfect little green box.
This time I trained differently. I ran in all sorts of 'outfits' to
see what was most comfortable. I had the hardest time with socks of
all things - I had gotten blisters on my toes early in my training and
then they just kept coming back. I trained using different gels until
I found one that I liked and didn't upset my stomach. I studied the
course map and elevation. I made myself a training schedule - longer
than the ones I was finding online and in books - because I know my
legs needed a little extra time to recover from long runs. I did
hills or speedwork once a week. I ran a half marathon as part of my
training to guage where I was training-wise. I didn't stress when I
had to take a couple of weeks off for knee pain - instead I adjusted
my training schedule slightly and started back into it. But most
importantly I didn't set a time goal. I just went out and ran for
fun, no stress. And I actually ran faster.
I guess this is just my way of saying you should do it. It's a great
experience and it is so rewarding.
And don't worry about age or pace - my 51 year old aunt just ran the
Maui Oceanfront Marathon in just under 7 hours.
Erin

[TomJ]

Speedyjeep,
You may want to consider a trail race also - a 50K is only 5 miles
longer than a marathon and you have much longer and less pressure to
finish in X hours since it is on trails and you have to be much more
careful of each footfall. Trail ultramarathons are less about time
and more about just finishing, so it may be a good choice. There will
be one nearly in your backyard in October that I am organizing in
Titusville at Oil Creek State Park - see OilCreek100.org / OC100.org -
for info on the 8ish mile, 50K, 50 & 100 mile trail races that we will
have going on Oct 10th and 11th.

I skipped over the marathon distance, going from half marathons to
50K's and then 50 miles, then 100+ mile trail races. My distance PR
is currently at 120 miles (out of the 150 miles I was shooting for) on
a 10 mile loop course in Pekin IL (McNaughton Park trail runs). Having
done a 50K there seems to be less desire to try a marathon although I
anticipate I will try one someday. But trail ultras are a great fit
for us slower folks that like to keep moving along, putting one foot
in front of the other. And what is interesting too about ultras in
general is that people never ask "what was your time?" They are
simply amazed that you covered that distance.

When I finished my first 50K, 50 miler and 100 miler, I had the most
amazing feeling of accomplishment despite them being relatively slow
times... simply because I did not stop. I covered the distance, and
that is what matters in an ultra, especially a trail ultra.
-- Tom --

On Feb 11, 6:39 pm, Speedyjeep <speedyjee...@roadrunner.com> wrote: