ATL,

I wish I was like you and was able to say finishing a marathon wasn't a big deal (I'm not being a wise a$$), but to me and alot of other people it really is something big and something we are proud of. We know we aren't great runners and we know we don't run 60 mpw to train for it but it is something none of us ever thought we would or could do and it was done.

Is that really hard to understand?

It you get this far, and think the subject hasn't been run into the ground, check out this site for more.............discussion. Did Oprah really ruin the marathon. Darn, I hope not. My wife loves Oprah. I have to admit one of my goals in my first marathon last year was "to beat Oprah". And I did, by about 4 minutes. I also inspired my 30 year old daughter to run with me. I wish I had all the years left that she has to improve on my running.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/community/discussion/1173/1/how-oprah-ruined-the-marathon/[/URL" target="_blank">

Is it possible that running a marathon is a big deal and great accomplishment, and that at the same time almost anyone can do it?

quote:<HR>Originally posted by sully702:
[b]ATL,

I wish I was like you and was able to say finishing a marathon wasn't a big deal (I'm not being a wise a$$), but to me and alot of other people it really is something big and something we are proud of. We know we aren't great runners and we know we don't run 60 mpw to train for it but it is something none of us ever thought we would or could do and it was done.

Is that really hard to understand?[/b]<HR>

Well yes actually, it sort of is, which is why this thread came about. I didn't say you shouldn't be proud of finishing, just pointed out that it isn't really that hard to do. You seem to be confirming that. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem to be saying that you don't work terribly hard at running, and yet are able to complete a marathon. Given that, what produces the great sense of accomplishment? You sound as if you think I'm insulting you. I'm not. I truly am just curious.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by justanotherguy:
We ought to require the marathon organizers to collect biographies and training logs from all participants. Then they could put asterisks in the race results next to the names of people who didn't train enough. Or better yet, they could put an asterisk right on the race number so we don't accidentally cheer for them when they cross the finish line.

Seriously, for someone who has never excercised at all, or battling significant weight problems, or quitting smoking, etc. just getting to the point where they can finish a marathon is a big deal. If they get extra motivation from the goal of finishing marathon and receiving a little respect, then I'm more than happy to give them that respect. It turns out I have an unlimited amount of respect to spread around: I can give a lot of respect to the guy who turned his life around, a lot of respect to the guy who dedicated his life to running as fast as he can, and even spare a little repsect for the guy who on a lark decided to take an easy jog a couple times a week for a few months and enter marathon rather than sit on the couch.<HR>

Your sarcasm is misplaced. Why do some of you guys think this thread is an attack on the slower marathon runners? Read back through the thread. I haven't heard anybody say that slower runners shouldn't be running marathons. In fact, whenever some fool says something like "get off my marathon course you slow pokes" I and many of the others here will defend their right to be there. Perhaps you missed the thread that motivated this one.

Background: This thread was motivated by yet another "I've been running 5 miles a day twice a week for the last month. I want to run a marathon in two weeks. Should I do it?" post. The reasonable answer to that question is of course no. The next logical question is "why on earth would you want to put yourself through such a painful experience?"

Nobody here is questioning the people who have made dedicated efforts to change their lives and are using the goal of completing a marathon as motivation. It's the people that are completely unprepared to run the distance, and yet want to on a whim that produces the head scratching.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by ATLrunner:
If I were dead, it would be very difficult to finish a marathon, so if I finish one tomorrow, I should be extremely proud of myself right? Spare me the examples of people with severe physical ailments. I wasn't talking about those people and you know it.<HR>

I still don't understand your point. Clearly, for some people, "finishing" a marathon is no big deal. For others, maybe it is a big deal.

Over a quarter century ago, some of us were doing a 25-30 mile long run every weekend. "Finishing" a marathon then would have been of no import for me, for my brother who was running lots of ultras, or for lots of others.

However, there are many, even though they don't have "severe physical ailments", for whom a marathon is a very worthwhile accomplishment. It all depends on what they had to go through to get there, and how they put it all into perspective afterwards. Some people really do have to work hard and overcome a lot to get there.

I guess I really don't know what people you were talking about. Was it people who didn't have to work hard or train much to finish a marathon and then go about bragging and crowing about their great accomplishment? If so, then we are in agreement.

I'm starting to think the main problem here is the elite runners perspective is just out of wack. It's not really your fault per say, it's just that when you become very good at something like running, I suppose you lose sight of what it was like to be a beginner.

For all you people who are saying that finishing a marathon is not a big deal or that it's easy, in my opinion you are completely wrong. Maybe for you it's that way, but for many many others it is and i'm one of them.

I'm in better shape then 99% of the population and I still believe that if I were to finish a marathon, it would be a tremendous acomplishment for me personally and regardless of what some of you are saying, no it will not be easy. I'm going to need to set aside a lot of time to train. I need to learn more about how the body works, about better nutrition, about better equipment etc... But you better be sure i'm going to be **** proud of myself to tell people that I ran a marathon. I don't even care what my time is. I'm going to be proud to have finished something this difficult.

Now, if someone like me who is in top shape thinks it's a big deal, what about all the other people who are less physically fit finishing one? I think those people are AMAZING, and great for them. I'm happy thier name was announced at the finish line.

Shame on all you elite veteren runners who have lost sight of how truly special the Marathon distance is to most people in this world. I take offense to people saying that it's no big deal, that it's easy, and anybody can do it. You guys are wrong about that.

I shoot in the 60's on the golf course a few times every week. But what an *** I would have to be to tell someone who has just broke 90 for the first time in their life that it's no big deal, that it's easy, and anybody can do it. Do you know how big a party i'm going to throw for my wife when she finally gets it in under 90? **** I may buy her a new car for doing something so great. Do I get a party if I shoot 63 today? Nope, probably just a "good round babe, what do you want for dinner tonight?"

And rightfully so... It's all about perspective. It seems many have lost theirs in the process of getting better.

I understand what you're trying to say at least, but golf is my job. It's completely different when comparing time frames people spend on what actually pays the bills in their household.

Running is a hobby for the vast majority of runners. That is one of the main reasons why the Marathon IS such a significant and impressive milestone for most people.

Lets face it most people work. Most people have families, friends, responsibilities, other hobbies. Add to that the many other people who have physical reasons why it's harder for them. Anyone who can find the time on top of everything else in their life, to get out and train and complete an actual Marathon, I say GOOD FOR YOU. I don't care what time you run it in, you did it.

You didn't talk about how easy it "would" be, or "could" be, given time frames, effort etc... They actually DID IT


http://This message has been edited by Streetlife (edited Dec-11-2007).