November 18, 2009

Marathon Envy?

Oh gosh that looks so fun.
Photo:Martineric

I've never seriously considered training for a marathon. I understand you have to run 26 miles... all in a row! On the same day! Here in Slackerville, that just ain't gonna happen.

Yet every now and then, from the depths of my subconcious, a sinister voice pipes up. "Go for it," the voice says, sounding all sexy and seductive. "It would be so cool to run a whole marathon and cross that finish line and feel so proud of yourself!"

"Shut up, sinister voice," I'll say, (or lets pretend I would, as I'm not actually schizophrenic). "Don't be stupid! Training for a marathon is hard! Not to mention the whole getting up early thing, and the lines for the porta potties..."

"But you'd get to brag to all your friends that you ran a marathon! Plus think how many cupcakes you could eat if you were running all those miles!

"Wait... Cupcakes?"

But I've never taken Sinister Voice too seriously. Given my lifestyle (lazy) and my fitness goals (modest) and my time management skills (nonexistent) and my knees (crappy), a marathon would just be a doofy waste of already-hard-to-come-by motivation.

And yet, Sinister Voice would always return another day to nag me again.

It seems like if you run at all, the idea of a marathon is always sort of hanging out there, poking and prodding at you. Of course in the old days, it was this freakishly hard-core thing to do, and it was easier to dismiss. Then it got to be a much more mainstream goal. Heck, even spoiled celebrities run marathons now, and if they can drag their over-scheduled, undernourished butts 26 miles to the finish line ... why shouldn't I give it a go?

Because I don't want to?

Actually, I'm still mad at the stupid Greek guy, Phidippides, who started this whole "marathon" business 2500 or so years ago. Why couldn't he have dropped dead after, say 5 miles? Or not dropped dead at all? Then they'd never come up with this arbitrary measure of fitness that I keep trying to pretend I don't care about.

However, after years of bickering with the Voice, I've noticed a curious thing lately... Silence.

That persistent sense that I should be aspiring to run a marathon? It seems to finally be slipping away. Hooray!

Now this is not to say that running a marathon (or a bunch of them or whatever) is not a great goal for plenty of runners. If you train properly, and pay attention to injuries, and have the spare time so that it's not gonna mess up the rest of your life... I say go for it!

But if you, like me, have been looking for reasons to say "screw it" to the whole marathon temptation, here are few suggestions for talking yourself down.

1. Consider your immune system. As Charlotte pointed out in a recent post over at The Great Fitness Experiment, intense endurance exercises actually makes you more vulnerable to bugs than moderate exercise, not less.

2. Watch out for heart trouble. Fitsugar recently discussed the issue, and there's a good rundown of some of the risks in this Men's Health article. Bottom line: they're not sure if it's permanent or temporary damage that marathon running does to your heart, but your at far less risk of ticker trouble if you're running at least 45 miles a week before competing in a marathon.

3. Jenn at Fit Bottomed Girls is not letting the stupid scale get in the way of her marathoning goals. But I gotta say: I'm more shallow than she is. If I found, as she has, that marathon training was increasing hunger significantly, and it was leading to weight gain? I'd want to be damn sure it was extra muscle or I'd say the heck with the extra running.

4. Running a marathon does not necessarily lead to long-term fitness. This Wall Street Journal article discusses the all-too-frequent phenomenon of eager runners working up to completing a marathon and then, due to burn-out, deciding to hang up their sneakers for good.

5. Fitness is not just about endurance, and "more" isn't necessarily better when it comes to cardio. If you hang out at Mark's Daily Apple at all, Mark is pretty darn convincing about the futility of trying to meet all your fitness goals by overdosing on cardio. Sure, some is good, but more isn't necessarily better! And it's not just the Primal people--more and more we seem to be getting the message that there's a crapload of different stuff you need to do to be fit and healthy. Are you going to be able to keep up on your strength training and balance training and High Intensity Intervals and flexibility and functional fitness and breathing and core etc, etc, etc, if you're doing marathon training?

6. All that pounding can exacerbate injuries. For me, it's my knees; I know I'd be risking my ability to run at all if I insisted on putting in the kind of miles it takes for marathon training. Now plenty of people run marathons while dealing with chronic injuries, and have no problems at all. But others put race deadlines ahead of common sense and end up trashing their knees, hips, feet, back, or whatever because they couldn't chill and take the necessary recuperation time.

What about you guys? Training for a marathon? Tempted? Or No Way in Hell?

59 comments:

  1. I'm in for a 5 or 10K or even a half marathon...but a full one? Nope. Hell I've hiked 35K in one day and was utterly and completely exhausted at the end. The amount of hard core running and time it would take to be able to run 26 miles and not die...well it doesn't sound like fun. That is over 42K. Too much.
    10K is my happy place. If I go beyond that my knees howl and I generally get grumpy. I think I'll stick to modest goals...:)

    Odd - the word verification is Runnin :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have deep feelings on this subject, having run my first marathon a couple weeks ago -- the ING NYC Marathon, pictured above.

    For me, the training was not grueling. I did a 18 week, 4 days a week Novice program, and listened to by body. The program eased me into running again after a terrible injury last year.

    Some of my happiest moments this summer and fall were my training runs. I did a 15 mile long run along the beach in Barcelona. After running 20 miles on the most beautiful day you can imagine, I cried with happiness. I learned (and remembered) how great running consistently is. And, what I am capable of.

    If I hadn't won the NYC Marathon lottery in 2009, I would have never have thought of running a marathon, or training for one. And I wouldn't have those memories. And, I wouldn't still be running now.

    For me, my first marathon is just the beginning.

    I'm running it again next year, aiming to finish faster. It gives me a good goal that will keep me running and improving all year.

    The race day was great. But, for me, the race day itself is not the thing. Having a reason and inspiration to run long in the morning, is the thing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's awesome Ctina!

    I know for me, if I were crying during a 20 mile training run, it wouldn't be with happiness. But I know for some of you folks the whole experience is a joyful empowering one.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ha! The thing is, obviously, you don't just go out and run 20 miles. Your program gradually increases over many months, so that in the end running 20 miles is no worse than running 4 miles was at the beginning.

    The human body is totally adaptable and amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Im currently training BUT Im waaaay too kind to myself.
    My plan? the first sign of pain or injury methinks Im out :)

    Ive made it to 40 sans-injury and Im surely not starting now.

    but, till then, Im running and planning on AUSTIN 2010!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have been reminded that I did promise to do a local winter mini-marathon...but I don't know if I can run it all. I will finish it tho. Pinky swear. It will be a polar bear run in the middle of winter. If I finish it, I'll have bragging rights for decades!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Miz, there's no such thing as being TOO kind to yourself when training--good for you for doing it gradually.

    And a polar bear minimarathon would be a great bragging rights geosomin!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love, love, love that you posted reasons NOT to run in a marathon, that sinister voice has badgered me too. I think if I run a half marathon (someday, far in the future) then I will be satisfied.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am so far from marathon level, it's never even crossed my mind. Someday, maybe I will manage a 5K.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I finished my first marathon in October (Chicago). I'm thinking about maybe doing another one next year despite the fact that I kept insisting it was a "one and done" thing.

    Yes, the marathon does beat up your body a bit, but I actually had a lot of fun training for it. I was constantly amazed every time I ran one more mile than I ever had before.

    And let's face it - I need an Impending Event of Doom to keep me exercising. When I don't set crazy goals, I don't do anything because I know I can pull a 5k/10K/half marathon out of my @#% at this point.

    ReplyDelete
  11. No running marathons for me. (I have plenty of mommy-marathons). Sometimes I like to run around the block...at least the down-hill part.

    Only one person is smiling in that photo...did you notice?

    ReplyDelete
  12. If you asked me a year ago if I ever thought I'd run a marathon I would've laughed at you. As of October 11 I have ran my first one and am now in training for my second in Feb. Training was full of blood, sweat and tears at times but crossing that finish line is something you can never describe in words... the feeling of accomplishment, the culmination of all that hard work and dedication... it's unmatched. Training/Running a marathon is not for the faint of heart that's for sure but if you've got heart, you can do it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have decided that only if I get in through NYC's lottery will I run one.

    I'm thinking I'll top out at a 30km race this March. But ask me again after that if I still want to...

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nothing, but nothing, feels as good as finishing a marathon. Knowing that you've trained for months, run endless miles, pushed yourself for a goal and succeeded is incomparable.

    If you train correctly (and yes, that includes cross-training) you decrease the chance of injury. There are dozens of training programs for beginners, including those with run/walk intervals.

    If I didn't run marathons I wouldn't have a goal to help keep me healthy and honest. I say, the heck with worrying about compromising your immune system, blowing out your heart and knees or gaining weight. Just think "cupcakes" and go for it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm planning to run one in 2010. Since it might be my only one ever, I'm still trying to decide which one it will be.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Never had even the least little bit of interest in a marathon. I'm a clydesdale, and running long distances is just not part of my repertoire.

    Mini-triathlon, however? Very much on my list of goals. Bicycling and swimming, I can do fine. I just need to work up to the 10K to go along with them...

    ReplyDelete
  18. A good friend of my just ran a half marathon and by no means would I have guessed him a candidate. He trained before hand and ate cheese and turkey patties at every meal. While that's not the lifestyle I wish to adopt, I was inspired. Maybe not to run a marathon, but we'll see. I am however setting a running goal my myself. It's a Turning 30 - 30 Day Running Challenge. (Day 1 is January 4th - my birthday) I'm very excited and will be keeping track daily at Cultivate Your Wellness. Thanks for the post. You blog is very motivating!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I trip over the air after 20 feet. Marathon is out. OTOH, being in Greece and passing by the sign for Marathon is cool. That's as close to being in one as I'll ever get.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I ran a marathon in October - and it was both the hardest & most awesome thing I have ever done.

    The first time I ran 20 miles, I felt so freaking fantastic after - I loved the whole world. I did get the flu immediately after the marathon (part of that was flying the next day).

    I am doing another one in 2010 - probably May. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Tempted to run a marathon? Not just "no" but "hell no!" I must deviate from my general "more is better" philosophy when it comes to this particular idea and keeping my running to things such as chasing the dog out of the garbage or my paper recycling down the street on a windy day.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'll have to pass. Gun to my head? You might as well just pull the trigger; it ain't gonna happen.

    -Joshua

    ReplyDelete
  23. Interesting comments across the board. In my journey of weight loss and fitness I set the goal of running a marathon. I've done 3 now (the London Marathon twice - it's CRAZY FUN!) and I still do one every year just to seriously kick my ass. However, I'm a bigger fan of the 1/2 marathon. It's far enough to make you work for it (have a training plan etc) but not so far that you're wiped out for weeks (or longer) afterwards. It's a great place to start. I also make my 1/2 marathon running part of my vacation fun - I'm heading to Las Vegas in December, Austin (Mizfit - I'll be out there with ya!) in February and the Provence (yes FRANCE!) every summer. The France race is a riot as it's wine an chocolate all weekend and no medal when you finish - you get a bottle of wine!
    So go for it!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I sometimes wonder if I'm an oddity in that I love running and I run about 35 miles a week but have no particular aspirations (or aversions) to run any races at this time. (I ran a 5K with my sister once and that's it).

    I want to run when I want to run on the route I feel like running on for the length of time that feels good that day. The idea of running on-demand in a huge crowd just doesn't sound like fun to me. But I should probably try it because if people keep doing it and raving about it there must be something to it!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh, I am SO GLAD you wrote this!!!! Because I was hearing the same voice in my head for so long, and I'm not even a runner! How wacko is THAT!
    For YEARS I tried to be a runner. I kept telling myself that if I ran, I would be svelte. I'd never have to worry about caloric intake. I wouldn't have to spend money on a gym membership, 'cause all I'd need were a good pair of shoes!
    As you can see, these are not really great reasons to take up running. The runners I know are passionate about it. They LOVE to run! They seem to fly along on their runner's high. Meanwhile I'm plodding away, miles behind them, hating every step and counting the seconds until I can stop.
    It also doesn't help that, um, I have quite a rack and even my Enell bra doesn't completely do the job.
    Last night I went for a walk. A modest, 35-minute power walk wearing my MBT shoes (that I won courtesy of this blog, thankyouverymuch!!!!), and passed a few runners. And I noticed that my voice, too, has finally shut the hell up, lol!
    No marathons for me. No running, unless it's part of a game, chasing my kids, or trying to catch the train. I'll walk, hike, and ride my bike. And I'll be a much happier camper!

    ReplyDelete
  26. No Way In Hell!

    I did the Bay 2 Breakers 2 years ago and badly damaged my toes. Nobody told me that the constant and repeated toe-smashing-into-front-of-shoe would leave me with bruised painful toes that took 6 months to grow out.

    This would be one time that I'd say: hey, I'm old. What the frak do you think you're trying pull?

    ReplyDelete
  27. No. Way. In. Hell. I have two really, really bad knees so running a marathon would be like going to a heavy metal concert with a migraine—stupid. Of course, all of the marathon talk these past couple of months has made me secretly jealous of those people without injuries who can challenge themselves like that. I’d love to know my body could handle that. I do worry about marathon runners’ knees, though. I wasn’t a runner before my knees went kaput but I know that running is a big culprit when it comes to cartilage damage. Maybe the kind of person who could run 26 miles at once isn’t the kind of person whose knees will rebel down the road.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I haven't worked up the nerve to do a full yet.. I'll have my first taste by doing a relay marathon with 2 of my friends.. I've done a 10 miler so 8 miles is nothing.

    ReplyDelete
  29. You know what my voice tells me? It says I should run the Ironman (person) and this voice has told me this for years. But then the other voices chime in. And one of them tells me to move to a trailer park in Mississippi. Another voice says I need to rob a bank. And yet another voice says "wouldn't it be a great day to strip naked and walk downtown?"

    I can't listen to any of them. I feel sorry for folks who believe they need to follow these voices. I feel sorry for our elected officials who also have these voices. I feel sorry for us when I think about those elected officials and how many times they heard stupid, stupid things and followed through on them.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am not a runner. This fact, and this fact only, keeps me from ever even considering a marathon/half marathon/quarter marathon/more than about a mile at a time.

    Yet I envy runners. I envy them deeply. My neighbor does eight or nine miles every evening, and I wish with every fiber that I had his greyhound-like stride, his lean, springy walk, and his stamina.

    But then I remember the day that five-foot-two me lifted his washing machine into his pickup truck (the one with the tailgate that won't come down) because he couldn't do more than get the corner off the ground. And I am okay with that.

    Some people are built to chase down gazelles. I am built to carry them back to the campfire.

    ReplyDelete
  31. YIKES! Not me for now. I never say never BUT I have done the 5k route. I also jog about 10+ miles on my Sunday jog & that seems enough for me. At my age, I am lucky if I make it thru that without having to make a stop home for a bathroom run! :-)

    I really don't have a desire to do marathons.. plus I love my weights & I understand you are off for a couple days++ after a marathon. So, being the crazy person I am, I don't want to give up my weights for a few days just to get up early, run with thousands of people & have major blisters & soreness after that. BUT I do know those that love it! I have enough trouble doing the cardio I do! I would do another bodybuilding before a marathon! ;-) That is saying a lot cause bodybuilding competitions are hard stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I am more like you in that I want to put in the bare minimum effort it will take to keep me fit, and complain about it mightily.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I would really like to start at a 5k...I don't know if I can even get in enough training to do that at this point. Then we'll see from there. My breathing is my big problem when I run and my feet.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm with Mark Sisson (on that, anyway). I don't think they're good for you. But having never been remotely tempted not even once, it's easy for me to say.

    ReplyDelete
  35. There are so many other intense and awesome things you can do besides run a marathon. I think marathoning is great, but I'll leave it to people who cry on training runs - for the joy of running. I raced this fall at the Head of the Charles, the largest regatta in the US. It was pure thrill to race to the finish line hearing the cheers of thousands and thousands of spectators. Race fore the love of racing, don't do it because you feel you have to prove something.
    For those of you who want to run and have some FUN consider running a Ragnar Relay. I did it in 2008 and can't think of a better and more intense running experience e-v-e-r.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Marathon? Iiiiiiiii'm thinking... no. Not just no, but HELL NO. 10K? Sure! Half? Eeh, maybe. Sprint tri? Hells yes. Olympic tri? Like to!

    26.2 miles on foot? EFF A BUNCH OF THAT.

    (word verification: "redness," I guess as in that of the sad remains of one's feet post-marathon)

    ReplyDelete
  37. No thank you. No way in h-e-double hockey sticks. I run because I have to (not many other fitness options in the sticks), not because I like it.

    I work, on the other hand, with a guy who loves his iron man competition, a gal who does 1/2 marathons all the time, and a guy who does ultra marathons. Idiots. All of 'em. :)

    (And the iron man guy has repeatedly told me the fastest course to divorce is to train for a major event like those.)

    ReplyDelete
  38. I have never had the slightest interest in running a marathon. I have no interest in running either. I walk, I walk a lot, I even walk a long way but run no. I am injury adverse, and as I go I like to look around at stuff and see the world around me, and I'm getting nicely firmed up in the process. Some love running, and all the more power to them, but not this girl.

    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  39. I always thought "hell no", but somehow, 5k became 10k, which became a half, and whaddya know, here I am, registered for a March marathon and amazed & thrilled that my body can apparently do more now than it could aged 25.

    The training, or rather, the time needed for training, is my biggest hurdle. I'm pretty sure the 26 miles are perfectly do-able for those who put in the 100+ hours beforehand. For that reason, I suspect this will be the only full marathon that I do.

    I agree with Joanna's comment; the 13 mile distance is enough of a challenge without taking over your life. I'm pretty sure I'll revert to half marathons after March; that is, if my knees are intact!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I am tempted, sometimes.

    It has the allure of something that would be really tough, but not totally impossible.

    But I hate crowds, for one thing. So if I did run a marathon, I think I'd just do the distance, not the race.

    So, we'll see.

    This is a far off future fantasy, though. Usually, I only run around 20 miles a week, and try to increase intensity, do some S.H.I.I.T., etc., rather than devote my life to distance.

    Also, distance running IS, as you pointed out, hard on the body.

    But something about doing long distance alone appeals to my psychology--the outdoors, my ragged breath, the rhythmic sound of my feet...

    Ah, yes, I AM a blabber-mouth today...thanks for asking!

    Anyway, great post!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Marathon - hah! Hubbie has been talking about it for 8 years. And 8 years later, I have a hard-earned black belt in shotokan karate. (yeah, I'm a klutz so it took a while.) And my husband still hasn't done more than one 1/2 marathon. I say if you have bad knees, take up something that strengthens them. For me - that is karate.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Run? No thank you. This is making me remember, though, how pleasant the twelve-mile hike was, when I had spent most of the last year lying down most of the day, not even walking outside the house every day. I decided to go on this "hike to historic places and hear docents speak" with a friend of mine, and we took about six hours including the "standing around listening" parts. So now that I'm much healthier, and spend most of my day physically active, I'm wondering about walking twenty-six miles. Weren't you trying to discourage this?

    Mary Anne in Kentucky

    ReplyDelete
  43. If you follow a sound, reputable training program, running 26 miles isn't that big a deal. You have to build up for it, but the body can adapt.

    I don't buy the "distance running makes you sick" nonsense. Yes, any sort of extreme physical endeavor weakens your immune system, but what's "extreme"?

    "Extreme" depends on your physical fitness. For ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes, who has run as far as 350 miles at a stretch, a mere 26 is a stroll in the park. For me, though, 26 is the upper range of what I can do without compromising my immune system. (I've been running 16-20 every weekend for nine years, and I'm almost never sick.) For someone who doesn't run at all, my 20 mile run is as punishing as Karnazes' 350 would be for me.

    In other words, it's all relative, kind of like that study that said you'd have heart trouble if your thighs weren't at least 23.5 inches around. Really? My waist is 25, and I suspect I wouldn't be healthier with 23.5" thighs.

    It's relative, folks. And quite frankly, I think it's pretty cool that some of us want to do marathons and some don't. Individual variation is what makes us interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  44. i just ran my 4th marathon last weekend. bottom line for me is... i just LOVE to run. i love to run far. and i love to get faster. it's like a drug for me.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Here's a description of my first (and only)race:

    "Although the air will be noticeably thin at the starting line, Echo Lake's 10,600 feet of elevation is just the beginning. The climb totals nearly 4,000 vertical feet - much of it above treeline - as you make your way 14.5 miles to the finish line located at the summit of one of the most recognizable peaks on Denver's mountain skyline - 14,264 foot Mt. Evans."

    But I still feel like a marathon belongs on my Bucket List. I like your reasoning, though!

    cammi99

    ReplyDelete
  46. hahahah! yet another post where i was laughing all the way through.

    sigh.

    i have the voice. it's bugging me. the furthest i've gotten is the 1/2 marathon and i had thrown in the towel before jumping into the world of triathlons, but now i'm hearing the voice again and i wish it would just shut.up.already!


    i'm pretty sure i will do one, because i am addicted to reaching finish liney type goals and i can get quite obsessive if there's something looming out there that i havent' tackled yet.

    but i'm taking my time on that one.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I would like to run a 5K in the next year (that probably involves some training...I should get on it) but have no desire to run a marathon - sorry, but that's just too much work for this lazybones!

    ReplyDelete
  48. i've done 5ks, 4milers and sprint tris. within the next year, i'm planning on moving to olympic triathlons, 5milers and a half-marathon.

    in two years? half-ironman.

    in a few years? full marathon AND a full ironman.

    crazy? probably. going to be a hell of a lot of pain and misery? no doubt. but i'm looking forward to the ride.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Crabby-

    A lot of 5K and 10Ks are now letting walkers in on the fun if it's not considered a "race". I walked in a 5K for Autism in May and it was great! I felt really proud of myself afterward, even finishing in less than 1 hour (ok 58 minutes). That's a good option too for people who are thinking about running races. Start slow. :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. I have only been running for the past couple of months so I am definately nowhere near thinking about a marathon. My initial goal was a 5K and no more. Now that I have one of those under my belt I have my eye on a 10K in January. And once again I say-"nothing longer than that", but I guess that's the usual pattern to build up to longer and longer races. Guess I'll have to keep you posted. :)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Every once in a while, I will feel like I should train for a marathon...I've been running for 6 years now. But then I will do a half marathon and think that there is NO WAY I could do that twice in a row!

    The craziest endurance event I've done is an Olympic distance triathlon...the one i did was 1 mile swim, 28 mile bike, 10k run. It took me over 3 hours, but I felt great afterwards. I think triathlons are easier on your body than marathons b/c they are mostly low impact (the bike makes up the bulk of it), and you get to change up the muscle groups you do with each leg of the race.

    ReplyDelete
  52. No way, no how, huh-uh, never, ain't gonna happen, no thanks, and ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR D*MN MIND?

    I like running. Someday I'd like to be someone who loves running, and I don't think it's unlikely. But I think if I ever ran a 1/2, that'd be good enough for me.

    ReplyDelete
  53. The most amazing thing was crossing the finish line of a half-marathon. I always dabbled in running, and wanted to do a full-marathon...until I trained for a half. Nothankyou. Doing a half is a good distance, and I have no desire to do a full now.
    I also did not lose a single pound during the 4 1/2 months of training.
    I do have arthritis though, and oddly enough it is MORE manageable if I run consistently.
    I haven't ever done a 5K or 10K, because I'm slow and I feel there is more pressure for speed, whereas a half-marathon is pretty much "You finished? That's awesome!"
    And it is awesome, but not for everyone...like yoga, which bores me, but some folks love it, and that's great for them.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I love your angle on fitness and marathons in particular- none of the runners in the picture look like their having fun!

    There must be more fun ways of exercising this hard!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Like you I used to think a marathon would be something I "should" do sometime. But that voice is getting quieter. I am quite happy with 5k and thinking that maybe one day I'll bump it up to 10k- or perhaps not

    ReplyDelete
  56. I get those creeping "why not" feelings about marathons and such from time to time. So I do one or two 10K runs each year to remind myself that I hate running and don't want to put in the training. :)

    ReplyDelete
  57. OK, just want to chime back in with a thought: when women give birth, it's looked on as not that big of an accomplishment, followed by "OMG, you had that baby, like 3 MONTHS ago, why haven't you lost all the weight yet?"
    Labor and delivery normally takes hours, and involves a great deal of pain. A marathon is run in significantly less time and, while painful, is not as painful as pushing a 7 pound person out of a 10 centimeter opening.
    And yet we admire marathoners more than moms. Interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Azusmom just kicked off a fascinating topic! I'm not a Mom - can we hear from any Moms who've run marathons how they would compare the 2 experiences?
    For my part, I would like to disagree with the notion that "a marathon is run in significantly less time". To train for 26.2 miles involves commitment, pain, lost sleep, discomfort and lifestyle sacrifice for at least a six month period. Anyone who thinks a marathon is "run" in 4-5 hours on race day, rather than in the hundreds of hours training leading up to it, is mistaken.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Oh Crabby. You crack me up to no end. And I'm happy to report that now (I wrote that post a couple weeks ago even though it just went live on Monday), I'm not weighing myself, but me and others have noticed the changes in my body. Stronger, more muscular legs, a leaner upper body and my boots are falling off of my calves! I never thought I'd have THAT problem. :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting, Cranky Fitness readers are the BEST!

Subscribe to comments via RSS

(Note: Older Comment Threads Are Moderated)