Is a marathon worth the effort?

[googlenut]

Thinking of trying to do one next year. Been a runner for 20+ years and done loads of half marathons so feel I could do it by putting in the hours of running needed. But is the satisfaction of doing one enough of a payoff for the time you have to put in?

[googlenut]

Bump

[aroomofherown]

I've done three - they are addictive.

After the first two (I was injured for the last one so a different experience) I felt invincible and actually gained a new promotion within a month. So I'd say yes, do it! You'll feel amazing because you know you've done something that really is hard.

[googlenut]

Thanks for the reply. Ohh you've made me feel like doing one, bet it's really hard though!

[aroomofherown]

Yes it is hard, there's no getting around that really. Not impossibly hard, just not a walk in the park. But it's also fun - especially if there are great crowds like London, and if you've trained well. Just remember - the first half is 20 miles, the second half is the last six

[ILoveLemonCurd]

I've done two, one road and one cross country. OMG the sense of achievement is incredible. They were the best experiences of my life (after giving birth and getting married) and the only one I am going to repeat!

Beware though the training become obsessive and like aroom says they are addictive. I'm planning my next one, hopefully in the Spring.

Best of luck

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

I've done one and I loved the first half and crossing the finish line, the last half I have wiped from my memory

Seriously, I found it incredibly hard. I did all the training, never missed a single run and felt really prepared but on the day I got ITB problems halfway round and then it all started to fall apart. Crossing the line was awesome and the sense of achievement is worth it. That was spring last year though and I still can't bring myself to think about another!

It is a big time commitment and you never really know what will happen on the day but if all goes well, it's well worth it.

It was London I did by the way. The crowds were amazing and going over Tower Bridge is a moment I will never forget.

[ginmakesitallok]

DP mostly does halfs - but had done one full marathon. He's also done an ultra marathon (36 miles!) which he's doing again this year. He loves it.

[googlenut]

Thanks for all this encouragement. Still not sure, would love to but 20 mile training runs on a Sunday are just daunting.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

But as you build up slowly Googlenut, by the time you get to 20 miles it doesn't seem anywhere near as hard as it does when you start.

It will hurt toward the end and a sleep after is a very good idea but you will also feel amazing!

I actually really enjoyed the training. I felt amazing after my long runs and discovering what my body could do was incredible.

[glasscompletelybroken]

Yes it's worth it! Once you have done it you will be a marathon runner and no-one can ever take that from you - what an achievement!

[juicychops]

i did my first marathon this year (Virgin London marathon) and although the training was bloody hard work, and i didn't manage to do as much as i had hoped to as i tore my knee cartilage in training, i loved the day and the atmosphere and my medal!! i was and still am so proud of myself, and will do another one in a year or so.

God for it!!!

[AnnieLobeseder]

I'm a big fan of the half, but I've done 3 full marathons too. They are a lot of hard work - the training sucks up so much of your free time. And the race itself it a killer. But it's a wonderful experience, and you can feel very justifiably proud afterwards! I say go for it.

[juicychops]

that was meant to say GO for it!