Marathon

[User11011]

To anyone who has run the London/Edinburgh/New York marathon.

Is it worth it?

Someone I know did it this year at the age of 40 - they trained for a year and said in the end it was awful and not worth it. She said to do it when you're young or don't bother.

Thoughts?

London has been a lifelong ambition for me and I finally ran it at the age of 35. Absolutely worth it for me, hard work training around kids etc but I’m so happy to have done it and so want to do another!

Lifelong ambition for me too so very interested in replies!

Did New York and it was a bit of a disappointment! Then did Berlin and Chicago and loved them (less hilly!). This was pre kids mind you so had plenty time to train. Still have London, Tokyo and Boston on the to do list. One day....

I loved doing the London marathon and would recommend it. I had been running for quite a few years beforehand and built up from 10k races and half-marathons.

If you only trained for a year to do it, it is possible but probably harder than the slow build up over a number of years!

I did it at 38, been running about a year when I got a ballot place. I did it because I love running and wanted the challenge.

I ran London and overall, loved it. Great memories and I will always have that.

I can't run now, got seriously injured a few years after the marathon and god do I miss it. It's a great sadness for me because running gave me so much.

I think it's less about the marathon and more about enjoying running though. If you don't enjoy running you aren't going to enjoy training for a marathon.

I ran the 2018 London marathon and it was so worth it! I'm 52. Sadly not run much since as have s foot injury that I'm in physio for. Have applied for 2020 and really hope I get a place 🏃🏽‍♀️😀

DH just did London after having had to defer his ballot place last year because of an IT band injury. He loved it, even though it was really really difficult following his injury. Despite that, he'd do it again in a heartbeat. He's running a half this weekend as a recovery run, he loves a good physical challenge! He's almost 40.

I think it depends on whether you're the kind of person who wants a big challenge and will revel in the achievement, even though it might be insanely physically hard at the time. DH and I love that kind of thing, and I'd really love to do London but I've never been lucky enough in the ballot and the fundraising targets lots of charities have scare me!

My DH has ran London twice and says the sense of achievement is amazing.

A friend of mine ran the London marathon. He said the day was great, but thought the training was unbelievably dull, doing lots of long runs by yourself etc

Yep, definitely worth it.

I ran in 2018 for Macmillan. I trained, had physio for an injury I picked up and got a disappointing (for me) time. For me it was all about Macmillan and what I could give back to them after they had been incredible to me and my family through 2 cancer diagnoses.

Bloody hard work, an emotional rollercoaster, but by god it was worth every bloody step.

(Then I applied for the ballot and only bloomin' got in! Deferred again due to injury but spurred up to start training again)

I did London as a bollot place 5 years ago at 35. The training takes over your life, but it is probably one of the best experiences ever.
If I did it again would train to allow for all the walking after you finish. Usually in training runs I would be home and no need to move that much.

Yep! Amazing! Did London years ago. My DH did it this year and we watched, even as a spectator the atmosphere is electric. Maybe watch it one year, it’ll make you want to do it. I’ve entered for next year 😄

OK you lot are inspiring me!

Does it have to be those big city marathons in particular? I did my first at 53 (small rural one) and it was an incredible experience, yes of course the training is tough as is the actual day - but it's a challenge - exactly what it says on the tin.

I've done both and it's absolutely worth it for the experience and sense of achievement. I was in my 30s both times (nearly 50 now) and I just stick to half marathons these days as I'm not convinced I could go the distance any more! There's always a part of me wondering if I've got another one in me though.

Def one of the best days of my life and raised lots of money for charity.

Yes! Though I did a slightly smaller marathon as my first and it was out of this world. Do it! You will feel invincible and so so proud of yourself x

@notmybloodymonkeys
DO IT!