Today’s topic for “Take it and Run Thursday” over at the Runner’s Lounge is the Marathon. I’ve only run one marathon and the plan was to do it “just once”.
That was my mantra the whole time I was training for the marathon. Every time I needed to squeeze in a run instead of doing something else during my “me time”, I reminded myself I was only doing this once. When I had Beer Geek take vacation days so that I could do my 20 milers on a Friday, instead of losing a chunk of our family time on the weekend, I told him “just this once.” I honestly thought I’d never do another one. In fact, my first thought after crossing the finish line was “I never have to do this again.”
Within a week, I was champing at the bit to run another one. I think that they must put something in the powerade that was served at the MCM, because I’m addicted. My goal my first time was just to finish. The fact that I finished under 5 hours was just icing on the cake. But now, I wonder how fast I could do it if I trained differently. I want that feeling of accomplishment and then some. I want to run a spring marathon so I don’t have to train in the heat that is a Virginia summer. I was never athletic growing up, so it’s a huge accomplishment to me to be able to run that far.
Will I do it again? More than likely. I tentatively have a plan to run one in the spring of 2010. By then, Shoo will be in preschool three days a week, which will give me time to train during the week. For now, I’ll concentrate on the half marathon length, so that I go into training as strong as possible.
I really hope I feel the same way you do, but right now I’m focusing on the “one.” I do LOVE the fact that marathons are full of former non-athletes, and I don’t know about you, but I always have a small urge to seek out my elementary school Phys Ed teachers and say “HA! Look at me now.”
laughing at tfh’s comment, cuz i feel the same way. i’d like to be able to say i’ve done a marathon one day… even the HM was a huge accomplishment for me 🙂
Be careful — marathon’s are addicting! I just wore in my TIART post that I originally hoped to run 15 marathons by the time I’m 50. Well, I’ll be reaching that goal in May — 6 months before my 46th birthday!Like you, I had run a couple of 5+ hour marathons, yet wanted to see if increased training would get me to Boston. Sure enough, after following Pete Pfitzinger’s “Advanced Marathoning” plan I qualified last August (and again in October).
This post made me laugh because I felt the exact same way during my training. That “I’m totally doing another one” feeling sneaks up pretty quick.
After I finished my first one, I too had the immediate desire to go and do another. But then I had the worst marathon experience at Chicago in 2007, and so I said, “no more for now.” And I kinda fell in love with the half.However, I do think I’ll return to the marathon someday, if for no other reason than to vindicate my two performances, but for now, it holds no appeal.
When I first started running, I thought I would never want to run a marathon. And after my first, I thought good, got that out of the way. And so it goes . . . maybe the marathon directors DO put something in the water!
Best wishes on what ever you decide to do!Great post!
I've heard that marathons are addicting. I am already thinking it would be fun to run another one after this rock & roll marathon! We'll see. I'm laughing at the comments from former non-athletes… I'm one of those, too. 😀 Good for you for keeping on!!
I am still focusing on halfs for now, but trying to get the guts to go for a full. I love that running is something us non-athletes can do. I was terrible at all things athletic until I discovered running. Maybe I need some of that spiked Powerade:)
I’m sure I’m going to have to tell myself ‘just this once’ during the whole training too! I’m hoping that doing MCM this year will be a great experience for me too!
Totally addicting and its so common to wonder ‘what if’ afterward… problem is, it doesn’t stop. 10 marathons later I’m still chasing after my best one! 🙂
Awwwhhh you know you’ll do another one FOR SURE 😉
I just read your profile…good for you for finding an outlet. If you read through any of my posts, you know that I’ve battled anxiety and depression (and still do). Running definitely helps, and so does this great community of runners that I’ve met.