Active Community: Message List - What motivated you to run your first marathon?

Re: What motivated you to run your first marathon?

guest — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 22:25:37 GMT

I got toally motivated once I started getting in shape. I was overwight all my life, and reached the obese range by 13. But two years ago, after my mom had a heart attack, I decided that I needed to change my life. Soon after, I set my sights on the NYC marathon and here I am today! I lost 100 pounds and I did it! More important, I did it for a great cause- running with Team for Kids. Collectively we raised $4 million to fight childhood obesity! My coach Gail was actually interviewed for this article- it really explains the whole program and what a great thing it is to be a part of!

http://www.youth1.com/other-sports-latest-features/team-for-kids.html

Re: What motivated you to run your first marathon?

guest — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 19:14:01 GMT

Great inspiring video of Joan Benoit. I was turning 50 and running a marathon before age 50 was on my bucket list and I completed the Marine Corps Marathon within a month of tuning 50. Wonderful experience - almost dream-like. Helped me to realize goals, even when difficult and long term can be accomplished.

Re: What motivated you to run your first marathon?

guest — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:45:32 GMT

For me, like I think for a lot of people, I wanted to just keep pushing and see what I was made of. I'd already been running 10Ks and even a half-marathon. Somehow it seemed like there was only one next step to go: really see if I could finish a whole marathon. If anyone wants to read what it was like for me that first time (running the Berlin Marathon through a still-divided city) can check it out here (it should be worth a good laugh): Running the Berlin Marathon

Re: What motivated you to run your first marathon?

guest — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 03:24:42 GMT

I haven't completed a full 26.2 (damn thats a long distance!!!!!) marathon....yet. However as of last week I told myself I need to do the Marine Corps Marathon. I am active duty in the Marine Corps and have always conducted some form of physical training three times a week for the past 15 years. And about 4 months ago my views kinda changed about running. Truth be told, I HATE RUNNING! But it is funny what life and a set of orders to a new unit does to a person. After coming off recruiting duty in January for the last three years my physical activity was minimal...actually it was really pathetic. I was part of the 6 mile per year club....a physical fitness test in the first and second halves of each year. That was it. And being on recruiting duty, you were supposed to have the discipline to "PT" on your own. Well my "PT" was sleeping in the rack...if I didn't have to "PT" then I didn't do anything but sleep.

Now lets bring it back to the present day. I am back at Camp LeJeune and checked into a unit where everyone runs...ALL THE TIME!! My first thoughts were that I was not gonna make it. But after talking to my peers and senior leadership they have helped me whip my @ss back into shape. Getting back to my views on running; yes I still hate to run, but the running bug bit me and bit me hard. Like everyone keeps telling me it's addictive. My peers and seniors all run together, and for the longest time I always managed to fall back, way back. We would go on runs ranging from 4 miles up to 10 miles...and do this 3 times a weeks. This is crazy, madness I say. What the hell is wrong with these people? But whats funny is that I noticed changes going on with me. I started keeping up more. I still get passed by my seniors but I am not the last. My jeans are baggy...I went from a size 36 to 34. And my biggest physical motivator...I see veins in areas I never saw before.

Last month I completed my first half-marathon. I finished in 2:18. It motivated me immensely! And then a few weeks back we all completed a 10k. All of this running has changed me mentally and physically. Stessors are easily erased and I feel better now than when I was a young hard charger.

So to me, what will be my motivating factor to complete the 2011 Marine Corps Marathon. There are 3 reasons. First and foremost, finishing the marathon will be my way of expressing sincere greatful appreciation to my Master Sergeant that got me hooked on this running kick. Because it was he that pushed me and coached me the whole way. What better way to display that by showing him I can do this. My second reason, my family. My wife and little girls cheering me on at the half marathon motivated the sh*t out of me. I love them so much and my wife is supportive to this new healthy habit! My third reason, just to accomplish something I never ever would have expected to even think of doing.

Tomorrow morning is a "boots n utes" run to a distance only the Master Sergeant knows. Saturday is a easy 5k that my wife will join me on. And November 7th is the Battleship North Carolina Half marathon....and whats really funny about it all is that I cannot wait to hit the pavement running.

God I hate running! Ha Ha Thank you everyone for sharing your experiances with us all!

Re: What motivated you to run your first marathon?

guest — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 02:00:33 GMT

I had been running for several years and doing about 10 races a year. Doing a marathon had been in the back of my mind, and coming off a pretty good half in the fall, I figured if I didn't do one in the next year I never would. So I looked around for what was nearby. Philly didn't have a marathon at the time, so it came down to New York or Marine Corps (neither was hard to get into back then). Marine Corps was easier logistically - my aunt lives about 3 miles from the start - so that's where I ended up. This year will be my 16th MCM (not consecutive) and I've done a sprinkling of others.

Len

Re: What motivated you to run your first marathon?

guest — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 01:21:07 GMT

Loosing weight motivated me to run. Watching the movie Spirit of the Marathon motivated me to want to run a marathon. If you are interested in my sixteen month journey, and want to see pictures of the Detroit Marathon, check out my blog . So far it has received positive comments.

I do hope you enjoy.

Kris.

http://gorunagain.blogspot.com

Re: What motivated you to run your first marathon?

guest — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:05:48 GMT

I will be 55 years old in January 2011. I will be running my first marathon, Phoenix Rock N' Roll, that month. 6 years ago, I was 50 pounds overweight and had high triglycerides, so I changed my eating habits and started working out in the gym. Most of the time I used the eliptical machine. I never thought I could run again because of knee problems. I lost the weight but needed something more to keep me motivated. In 2009, the city sponsored a sprint triathlon to be held in August. I decided to try it and started training in January on the indoor track. At first, I had trouble running a mile and couldn't swim more than 1 lap without resting, but but by August I was ready. I had a blast doing the triathlon and surprisingly wasn't even sore the next day. I was hooked. I did two more sprint triathlons that year and planned to move up to longer distances this year and planned some longer road races as training. Prostate cancer put me out of commission for about 4 months this year, so I am a little behind my schedule, but I will be ready for the marathon by January. One of the things that motivates me is seeing the age groupers running at the Kona IronMan World championships. There is a 77 year old woman and an 80 year old man who qualified for and finished the IronMan a few years ago. If they can do that, I should be able to do a measly marathon. I eventually want to do a 1/2 IronMan. Who knows? I may eventually do a full IronMan (while I am still young).

Re: What motivated you to run your first marathon?

guest — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 23:54:42 GMT

I'm just getting back into running after a 23 yr hiatus, at least with any regularity. I never thought I could run a marathon but I didn't think my knees would hold up to 20 miles a week either I'm doing a half in March and Portland in Oct. It's one of those accomplishments that makes me tingle to think about doing. I was a cyclist as a kid and the elation from finishing my first century was the biggest rush. Just thinking about running across the line next year gets me through the mental blocks. I figure if I survive I'm still doing better that Pheidippides!

Re: What motivated you to run your first marathon?

guest — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:34:28 GMT

I started running about a year and 3 months ago, somewhat on a whim to start trying to get in shape. Up to that point, I never considered myself a runner. Somehow, over those next couple of months, I realized that I had actually started to LIKE running. On top of that, combined with healthier eating, I had lost roughly 40 pounds in about 4 months. Then a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to join him in running a half marathon, and I agreed to it. The half marathon was just a couple of weekends ago, and I'm happy to report that I not only finished it, but I finished it strong and with a better time than I'd anticipated. My ending time was 1:50:09.

So, a year and three months ago I was overweight and I could barely run more than a half mile. Now, between eating healthier, running and other exercises, I'm down a total of nearly 60 pounds, at my ideal weight for my height, and as of a week and a half ago I just completed my first half marathon. It was such an amazing experience that I can't even begin to describe it.

Just a few days ago, I signed up for a full marathon. Its not until next Fall because the local Springtime marathon is at a bad time for me with grad school, but I wanted to get myself officially registered for the Fall and mark it on my calendar as my next big incentive. In October 2011 I plan on being able to say I crossed the finish line for 26.2 miles, and that's definitely something I never would have expected to be saying!

Re: What motivated you to run your first marathon?

guest — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 05:15:55 GMT

Haha I really have no idea why. I guess I thought I never would do it, but thought it was possible and a great excuse to get back in shape.

I started running just over a year ago and just finished my first one. I finished in 4'18' but really fell apart during the last 6 miles. Overall, it was a hell of an experience! Loved (almost) every minute of it and can't wait till I'm able to run again (I'm a bit sore yet!). I know with some training I can go sub 4' so thats my goal for next time around.

The most suprising thing about it for me what how supportive other runners/fans are, what a great experience!