Can “anyone” really do a marathon?

[AvonCallingBarksdale]

I can do 5K in 35 mins and am doing a 10K next month. Having watched the marathon today it just looks so amazing and I’d love to think I could do London. However, can anyone really do a marathon? I know you can walk for bits and it’s about the finish line not the finish time, but is it realistic to think that an overweight menopausal woman can go from 10K to 42K (with training??) I can’t imagine mentally being able to go out for 4+ hour training runs 😵‍💫

@Fizbosshoes I agree that lots of people have London on the bucket list and then don't run when they don't get in, but you find out generally in September (I think they're letting people know in July this year) with the race in April - so at least 8 months' notice - so you have plenty of time between finding out you have a place and the actual day to train appropriately.

I've done one of the other marathons you mention - Manchester - and whilst parts of it are well supported, its nothing like London (yet) - if you're going to do one marathon (and only one), commit to it, put yourself through the training etc, then (imo) it has to be London. I think (probably justifiably) people are not necessarily interested in any marathon or even running per se, they're interested in the London marathon. If its not London, then they don't want to bother - they'll apply for London again the next year.

This is an interesting point of a view -the training window.
Even for 'ordinary' fitness, weight loss etc it can take people several months to establish a routine of exercise and healthy eating. And the latter can be more time consuming than the actual training especially if you're on a budget. You have to plan, shop and prepare meals appropriately.

Especially those who are only interested in the kudos of a specific marathon, and not running as a sport. I find it hard to believe that someone can go from zero to the London marathon in less than a year. By zero never done anything sporty or remotely physical. Not only that there's probably a higher risk of injury due to overtraining and not following best practice.

However, I think it's very doable for someone who has a baseline level of fitness. Once you've started exercising it's easier to get back in, even if lapsed for a long time.

I think if you're generally healthy but not particularly active, being able to shuffle your way round 26 miles on 8 months training is perfectly feasible. Is it the best way to go about it? No undoubtedly not but plenty of people do it and live to tell the tale and I supect most are in a better place (physically and mentally) for having done it.

I do understand the feeling that if you're only going to do one marathon in your life, then London has to be it.

I find it hard to believe that someone can go from zero to the London marathon in less than a year

Disagree with this - as the poster says above, provided you're generally healthy and commit to it (to all aspects of it) you can definitely do it in 8 months.

agree on this, I live nr Manchester and know lots that have done Manchester (far easier to get in -none of this ballot nonsense, though it is increasing in popularity) however for me I only ever intend to do one, and so put my name in the London marathon ballot every year. If I don't get in in the next 2/3 years though I will have resign myself to trying to do Manchester instead. I really want to do a (one!) marathon, but more than that I want to run the London marathon.

Manchester is a great race in a fab city and well supported but not quite the same IMO.

I find it hard to believe that someone can go from zero to the London marathon in less than a year

Many many people do just that. Also, what is 'zero'? Never having stood up? Never having walked? Never having run? Never having run long distance? And what is 'the London marathon', in this context? Completing it? Running it? Running it within 5 hours? Running it within 4 hours? etc etc. There's a lot of leeway.

But if you read my quoted post again properly, the 'commitment' is a big part of why I don't think 'anyone' can do it. So many people struggle to even do small things like eating healthily.

If we defined 'anyone' to be people In good health, albeit inactive I completely agree with you and PP but that's not my definition.

If 'anyone' can complete a marathon then 'anyone' can exercise regularly , lose weight ,eat healthily etc yet so many people struggle with these things hence why they're multimillion pound industries. Of course , weight loss for example is complex (before anybody comes along and say oh what about people with PCOs or on medications leading to weight gain etc). But I'm just using it as an example to illustrate things that require discipline and routine.

There's nothing magical about a marathon IMHO that suddenly makes one more disciplined and motivated compared to these other things.

My opinion isn't relevant here BTW there's nothing stopping someone from signing up. I mean even if you're unsure ,there's no rule that says you can't drop out.

So many people struggle to even do small things like eating healthily

That's not a small thing.

You are removing people's agency, @dollahsains

What's your definition of 'anyone'? If people in good health can't decide to lose weight, eat healthily etc, then whose hands is that decision in?

Bit dramatic, not sure how someone can run a marathon If they've never even stood up! Unless it's with people pushing their wheelchair.

And I also clarified my definition of zero in my first post if you'd bothered to read it properly
... People who have never exercised (outside of PE classes at school) and are very sedentary.

Also training SOLELY for the London Marathon.

Bear in mind that this discussion relates to the above. To me, if someone was motivated enough they'd at least start exercising /running from today, maybe do some other event if they don't succeed in the ballot.

To say 'I only want to run in the London marathon and have no interest in physical activity other than that' doesn't bode well for success.

You're proving my point though.
You claim that eating healthily isn't a small thing. It is, in the context of a marathon. If you don't accompany the actual exercise with appropriate nutrition you're not going to get very far or risk damaging your health. It's only one of many other things you have to do. So it's a small thing.
If you claim it's not a 'small' thing that implies it's a big thing, and so is difficult, meaning to do that along with marathon training would be even more difficult.

If someone signs up for a challenge knowing nothing about themselves they're more likely to fail. I have no idea why you claim I am removing people's agency, I have no such powers (I wish). Making a decision isn't the same as executing it and there's plenty of research regarding motivation, habit building etc that you can research yourself.

The real point here is, someone who wants to take on such a challenge will start now. Like the OP. She's doing a 10K, she's exercising. I'm not taking about her, but someone who does nothing unless they get a space on a specific marathon.

What is the benefit of saying that 'anyone' can do a marathon in 8 months, so there's no point in encouraging anybody to do anything unless they succeed in getting an entry for the marathon of their dreams? So if they never get in, they'll never start exercising and that's that. Why not encourage people to start exercising instead , regardless of whether they get in they'll still benefits and there are other events to compete in.

@dollahsains I think I started this off-track debate (sorry!) responding to a post from someone who said they didn't understand someone doing nothing just on the basis that they didn't get a place for London - I said I understood that.

I think I'm fairly typidal in that I need to have something concrete to work towards. Yes, I know that I should generally exercise more / eat better potentially / drink less wine, but without something to aim for, I'll do that tomorrow / next Monday / after my birthday etc etc etc - there's usually a reason I put it off. I lack motivation.

If you get a place for London, the date can't be moved. Its kind of a now or never. For me, and I expect for other people, thats a line in the sand - no more putting off those changes. Thats all the motivation I need. I have the chance to be part of something, time to get off my bottom and train. I think thats the trigger - that's where the commitment comes from (of course, if you don't have that mindset and deep down it's not really something you desperately want to do or achieve, then of course you probably won't make it to the start line).

I think the OP implied (at least I took it that way) that by "anyone", she meant "anyone with the desire to run a marathon" - thats completely different than "anyone who thinks they ought to get fitter" etc.

I have no idea why you claim I am removing people's agency, I have no such powers

Wow. Idiotic post!

Eating healthily is hard. Anybody can do it.
Training for and completing a marathon is hard. Anybody can do it.

Many people choose not to, but it doesn't mean they can't. To suggest that they can't would be to suggest that they do not have agency.

I think the OP implied (at least I took it that way) that by "anyone", she meant "anyone with the desire to run a marathon" - thats completely different than "anyone who thinks they ought to get fitter" etc.

• *Yes that is what I meant. I’m training for a 10K and regularly do parkruns (c150). I love the idea of being able to train, physically and mentally, for 26.2 miles, and I can hardly watch 10 mins of London Marathon coverage without sobbing. But as someone who clock watches on solo training runs I was musing on whether it is “true” when people say that “anyone” could run a marathon 😊

My 10K is in a few weeks - if that’s ok I’ll do another. Then maybe a half.

I can hardly watch 10 mins of London Marathon coverage without sobbing

I still maintain I'd have got a much better time when I ran it if I hadn't sobbed from about Mile 23 or in the queue for the toilets at the start, when I crossed the start line, when I saw my family at Tower Bridge its quite an emotional day

Good luck with the 10k OP, then the half, then the big one

Putting down other people's arguments doesn't make you sound intelligent. Quite the opposite. Try to apply some critical thinking.

You talk about people who 'choose' not to. Irrelevant. If someone chooses not to do something of course they won't achieve it. Whether they can or cannot is irrelevant. I never said that they can't - you did.

What I did say was, merely wanting someone does not guarantee achieving it. If the world was as simple as you said, and anybody could do it, there wouldn't be lots and lots of research examining why this isn't the case. Healthy eating for example :
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4276670/
https://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/counselling/psychology-of-food.htm
https://www.smf.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/What-are-the-barriers-to-eating-healthy-in-the-UK.pdf

This attitude irks me because it puts all the blame on the individual. Tangential to just marathons, it reduces major societial issues to a mere matter of willpower. The same attitude from people who don't understand why poverty etc exists, and give inane suggestion such as retraining or getting a second job.

You can continue with any roundabout faux philosophical argument you like, picking at semantics but the simple fact is. If everybody could do it, they would do so. Very few people want to actively damage their health by eating badly and yet, because of the various systemic factors mentioned in the research above this makes it very hard. Nothing you say can contradict that.

Maybe it's just semantics but to me desire to run 'a' marathon is different from wanting to run a very specific one. If I had my heart set on doing something I'd start right now. Perhaps it's different for PP who need a concrete goal before they even start. But IMO pushing your body is very different from making effort for other things. For example you risk injury by overtraining. If this happens at the wrong time you might be unable to make the one marathon you'd set your heart on - what then? Of course if you have been consistently training over a longer period, the risk is lower as you'll understand your body's limits better

I understand this thread is about light-hearted musing though In that spirit, I don't think anybody really knows until they start training and find out!
You clock watching implies that you hate the training. But if your desire is strong enough to get the kudos of a marathon, you might persevere. Alternatively you might decide, after some time that all the effort isn't worth it.

I mean if we took the example of something else, like working a job you hate. Some can work years for the promise of a fat paycheck/early retirement. Others can't even manage a year in a job they dislike even if the money would give them a lot more freedom.

Compared to becoming a professional footballer, a marathon is definitely achievable for the average Jane.

Yes, anyone can do a marathon. Not anyone can run in what many people will perceive to be a “good” time. FWIW I don’t believe there is a “good” time, if you finish a marathon (or any other event like a 5k, 10k, half) you’re doing well. I’ve run both London and Manchester, the former was an amazing experience that I’d love to repeat as I’m a far better runner now, the latter I didn’t enjoy as much. In terms of the can anyone do a marathon, plenty of people going from being non-runners, do a 16 week plan and complete London for example. Chances are they won’t run as well as a seasoned runner. It takes commitment but you can train for a marathon on 3 runs a week so it doesn’t have to take over your life.

You clock watching implies that you hate the training. But if your desire is strong enough to get the kudos of a marathon, you might persevere. Alternatively you might decide, after some time that all the effort isn't worth it

I probably haven’t explained myself too well there. I don’t find running particularly easy (was easier, but an accident and subsequent complications mean it’s harder now) so it’s not that I hate the training, it’s probably more psychological “can I do this?” I did 5K this morning in a good time for me so now of course feel great and chuffed with myself 😀. London has more of a pull for me than A. N. Other marathon, partly cos it’s near and yes partly for the kudos of doing it. I can see myself signing up to more 10ks but I’m sure a marathon would be a one-off for me!

Well in that case... Just do it! 😁
I mean , only one way to find out. You do not have to think about whether you can or cannot do something if you have ample opportunity to just try! Why would you 'not'?
If you find it too much or something halfway, you can drop out. You have nothing to lose here.

@dollahsains quite right. I mean, I may have a tendency to overthink things when I could JFDI 🤣

I wonder how many people saying 'not everyone can do a marathon' have tried/not tried. I wonder how many people saying 'everyone can do a marathon' have tried/have not tried.

I suspect there's a lot of people who think that their perspective is universal. You'd be better to look at evolution to guide you, really, and the aspects of modern life affecting it that might influence running ability. We're evolved to run, so unless there's an aspect of current life that's actually standing in our way (like high blood pressure or a disability or no time to train or can't seem to get up from watching Netflix), then yes, we could all physically do it. The variable factor would be willingness, but by that score, you could say that many of us 'can't' get out of bed at 6am without pressing 'snooze' 3 times.

It sort of depends on your definition of 'can't', really. Most of us could successfully train for and run a marathon. Most of us won't. Many of us think we can't.

@Watchkeys I agree - if you've ever listened to podcasts or similar about it, people ofter refer to the mental commitment / determination being of at least equal importance to the physical training.

(I am someone who "can" run a marathon but "can't" get out of bed at 6am without pressing snooze 3 times !!)

@Fiftiesishard

I am someone who "can" run a marathon but "can't" get out of bed at 6am without pressing snooze 3 times

I can do both but "can't" say no to a chocolate hobnob or another Bacardi and coke! :)

I haven't trained for a marathon but other sports. My opinion is simple.
If you were a friend or relative asking me - can I do it I'd say , just try and you'll find out! This is not a question that requires anybody else's judgement or opinion.
Unlike saying 'can I be a formula one racer' well you'd need to spend a lot of money on the track for a start. You need careful consideration on whether you can afford the initial outlay.
But running is free, sport shoes etc you can also use for other things. And you pointed out that we can all run
Why would one even bother asking? Why wouldn't you they just try? Even if everyone says yeah yeah you can do it one might get halfway through and find it not for them. That's none of our business really.

The high level question of whether 'everyone' can run a marathon is completely different. You are coming at it purely from the physical perspective. I came at it from various angles including motivation, time etc and pointed out not 'everybody' could achieve that. I mean, this is a parenting site, so many busy mums on here who don't even have time for themselves. It would be silly to suggest that they could suddenly train for a marathon when they don't even have 30 mins a week free to themselves. If they have tried and failed to get some downtime due to various reasons like having a useless DH, a 'marathon' isn't a magic wand that's going to free up time.

And the latter isn't a marathon specific issue it's anything you want to achieve. Further education, own business, whatever

I haven't read this whole thread but having run the marathon and every other distance, I think anyone can do it, if they have the commitment and drive.

The main issue though, is the fact that not everyone's body is suited to it which is why certain people end up with chronic injuries as a result. If you really want to do it, invest in a good pair of shoes and a few sessions with a personal trainer.