- You’ve got plenty of time to do, and to do it right! With twenty something weeks to go you could do a marathon in late October even if you are a complete beginner to running or ‘couch potato’ now! (Run the idea past your GP first before going running, of course!)
- You’re more likely to regret the things that you don’t do in life rather than the ones that you do! Wouldn’t it be better to be able to be in better shape and say ‘Well I gave it a shot this year and didn’t quite make it’ than to say ‘I didn’t get around to it, again, this year!’
- For most of us, that first marathon seems impossible. Can you imagine how empowered you will feel after you’ve just done what previously seemed impossible?
- We’ve got long evenings and the sun is up very early at this time of year. You might just be able to squeeze in a walk, jog or run before or after work.
- Mental health: Committing to a marathon is like committing to giving yourself a mental health boost a few times a week for the next few months. The training will get you outdoors, meeting new people and maybe out of that rut!
- An enormous percentage of Irish people are enormous! I was one of them! Slow, low intensity exercise over a long period of time is the optimal way to burn off stored fat. I know because my gentle marathon training (combined with some intelligent eating) helped me to shed three stone in three months!
- The social element of running a marathon can be wonderful. When you share a long run with a friend then talking helps to pass the time and to distract focus from the miles to go. Running is a very ‘real’ activity and the challenge of it helps to bypass superficial conversation, you get to know people quickly.
- Running relationships are a great way to multitask and hang out with those friends that are just too important to let go of but that you are too busy to see regularly. Some days you’ll be the encourager and other days you’ll need all the encouragement but either way the shared journey will be a bonding experience.
- The day itself is one of the most emotional, inspiring and encouraging experiences that I have ever had. I loved the first marathon so much that I’ve done another four since then and I’ve another two booked this year. I’m not saying it will be pain-free but the pain fades away and is soon forgotten while the experience of comraderie and interaction with the spectators will lift your spirits every time you think back on the day.
- The finishers t-shirt, the medal and the bragging rights after the marathon! The medal is physical anchor which reminds you of this momentous achievement and a tangible reference for success and progress as you look back over your achievements in 2012.
Posted via email from michaelrossney's posterous
