Hi!

It is absolutely OK if you don't want to run a marathon. The most important things are for you to have fun running, being able to run without injuries, and to want to continue running consistently. That this will enable you to enjoy the health benefits over the long term. Now, as you continue running, someday you may change your mind about running a marathon. That's OK, too. Unfortunately, I do see some who start running, decide to run a marathon, and then stop running afterwards. The important thing is to keep running and if you are happy running the 5K's, 10K's, and HM's, then that is just fine.

huskydon

I agree with you 100% and have posted about this on occasion myself. I also get tired of all the marathon talk and focus on it in magazines etc. I don't have anything to prove by running one. They hold zero interest for me. I respect the distance and those who complete it very much.

That said, I never thought I would do triathlons and I discovered the sheer joy in that sport this past summer and am hooked!! So, never say never!! But I don't plan on running a marathon. I love the HM distance though and find it enough of a challenge without it taking over my life.
Carrie

It's quite fine to not run a marathon. I'm best at 1500-5000m distances and therefore I sincerely doubt I'll ever run a serious marathon. If I did it would be purely for sh its and giggles. Stick with what you're best at or what you want to do. There's a lot of focus on marathoning by the major running magazines because that's the popular thing to do nowadays.

Who says you even need to race? Do what feels right for you. 5k, 10k, half marathon, full marathon, whatever feels right to you. The nice thing about running is it's entirely personal. Do whatever works for you and makes you feel good. Could be just doing a peaceful 3-5 miles every day... whatever. Don't let anyone else dictate or ruin your joy of running!!

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evanflein[/URL" target="_blank">

Hi Horsemom!

Take it from someone who is running her first marathon TOMORROW....I will not do another one. Please don't misunderstand me, I have really enjoyed this journey, and I'm so glad I've done this training, but it is a tremendous undertaking. I'm looking forward to the run, and all that comes with this accomplishment, but there is nothing wrong with not wanting to do one. Personally, I will continue to do 10k's, and half's to keep me in shape and keep me motivated, but this has been the hardest thing I have ever done. Not to mention the time committment involved, and how it has affected my family. It was a huge sacrifice for them as well as myself and it's simply not for everyone. I am not "built" to be a distance runner, and this training has taken a toll on my body and it's something I could never keep up. I have a tremendous amount of respect for runners who can do these consistently, but I know it's not for me. So if you know it's not for you, then it's not for you and that is okay and please don't feel like you are missing out b/c there is just as much, if not more, benefit from running the shorter distances for a myriad of reasons.

After writing this, I don't want you to get the impression that I regret my decision to run this marathon, because it has definitely been the most rewarding thing I have done for myself and I'm very proud of my accomplishment, but it is truly not for everyone. I'm proud of you for being out there and doing what you do b/c this sport is not easy.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by horsemom2b:
Does this mean I'm not motivated enough? Not willing to work hard? Just plain chicken?
I've put a lot of thought into this recently
I'm interested to hear what other runners think.<HR>

Maybe all the wise responses to your question might help but it doesn't sound like you've put enough thought into it if you think that not running (if that's what it can be called) a marathon means being unmotivated, lazy or chicken.

People who don't run marathons are lazy, unmotivated and don't even deserve to post on the same website as those hard working demigod thoners!

Um, run what you like. Some of us don't race at all, any distance. We're all out here for our own reasons - yours are just as valid as anyone else's.

I'm a big 10k fan.