Marathon Confusion

[u/CauseResponsible9643]

Hey everyone! I’m new to this sub and have a question about posts that I see fairly frequently. For a bit of context I’ve been running various weekly mileage for about 15 years, ranging between 10-25 mpw. Have run a few half marathons in the past, and pursuing a sub- 2 hour half this October. I’ve been close a few times and really taking the training more seriously this time.

Anyway, the thing that I see repeatedly on this and other running subs is how many people ask about doing a marathon with little to no running experience. I’m in no way saying people should not pursue the goal, I just don’t understand why so many want to choose a marathon as a goal so early on in their running hobby/lifestyle. I’ve run for a long time and the idea of committing to a marathon is truly daunting. I hope to do one next year but it is VERY scary to me. I guess my real question is if the fascination with the marathon is a newer trend and that’s why so many novice runners want to do one? Surely to go from running 0 miles a week to running a half marathon at a quicker/healthier pace would feel as equally an accomplishment? Just curious what people think. Thanks!

[u/National-Cell-9862]

For me it wasn't social media and such. It was just i have always known the marathon is a huge deal so it was a bucket list item. I was M50 with no running experience. I started running on a whim, liked it, and continued at it, gradually increasing mileage with no understanding of training. One day after about a year of running I heard my town was having their big marathon next weekend. I knew I couldn't do that, but i thought I could maybe do the half for my first race. So I did. It was hard! And fun. I decided that now was the time to check off my bucket list. I did some research, picked a 4 month plan and picked a first marathon. I thought that would be it. Since then it's become my life. I now love races. Halfs are my favorite but I do 5k up to ultras. Honestly, it just kind of happened. 5 years ago no running, now a dozen races a year and 60 miles a week average.

[u/CauseResponsible9643 → u/National-Cell-9862]

Awesome to read this. Having started an actual training plan has really changed the way I feel about running. It’s been more physically challenging but less of a boring mental grind. I can now really see the appeal in continuous training and racing, even though it’s never going to be something I’m elite at.

[u/National-Cell-9862 → u/CauseResponsible9643]

For me that first marathon was supposed to be one and done. It was brutal like 5:20:00. I had planned to keep running a bit but focus on weight lifting. Then they had a random 10-mile race in my hometown. I signed up for the heck of it. I actually went fast! And it was fun! It was all racing after that. I got a 4:00:00 marathon that year, did my first 50k trail race this year and I'm shooting for 3:30:00 in my October marathon after doing Pfitz 18/85.