Have you ever run a marathon?

Have you ever considered running one if you haven’t?

Do you feel that you need to run a marathon in order to be a “real” runner?

You shouldn’t feel that way. I was recently discussing the matter with Chrissy in New Jersey.

She wrote:

I run slow. I walk at some point during all my runs. I’m ok with this, and while I would love to run faster and longer, I am content with my 11 minute miles.

ChrissyI also don’t think I will ever run a Marathon - I just don’t have the endurance to do something I know will take me well over 5 hours to complete. I think my best hope is a possible half marathon, but in no time soon. I’ve only run in 2 races so far - one 5K and one 5 mile Turkey Trot. I would like more 5Ks and I am going to attempt a 10K sometime in the Spring this year.

Lately, I am realizing that I might not even want to up my running abilities. I am not an athlete, and never will be - so why do I feel bad about being content with my pace? I know I don’t have to constantly train and work towards running faster or better, but I feel like I am not “worthy” of calling myself a runner when I just don’t have the love of it that I know so many of you have. Is that so wrong of me?

I am glad at how far I’ve come. I just don’t see myself going much further. Is it ok to just be content with running/walking 11 minute miles, or just logging 13-17 (maybe 20 someday) miles per week? I just don’t have the time to dedicate myself to the sport like you do.

At best, I can see myself completing a half marathon (probably just barely) and continuing to run my 3-4 times per week at my easy pace just so I don’t lose the progress Ive already made. Is that so bad? Is there anyone out there who know they will never be able to complete a Marathon and are ok with that?

Maybe I’m just entering a slight depression in life right now - I hate going on my long runs (a measly 7 miles at this point) because they take up so much time, and my mind just can’t rest and enjoy it. I am a multi-tasker at heart, and running doesn’t allow that.

I hate counting calories.

I hate trying to run faster or longer because I feel like I am not getting anywhere with it. I don’t see any progress in my endurance, I cant even go on a short 3 mile run without having to walk at least twice during it.

I know I shouldn’t feel bad because I’ve worked hard and have made significant progress so far. I haven’t been running very long (not quite a year yet), but something inside me just tells me this is the best it will ever get for me.

I believe that Chrissy is beating herself up over nothing. Can you relate to her worries at all, though? If there is one person with a point of view like that, then there are probably dozens or hundreds of people who feel the same way.

First, there is no reason that anyone should feel that they have to run a marathon in order to be “worthy” to be a runner. There are plenty of people who will never run, let alone will never run a marathon. Enjoying the sport is more important than running a 5 hour race if running that race means that you resent the act of running.

Chrissy’s first problems is that she has been running for less than a year. You shouldn’t (in my not so humble opinion) even consider running a marathon in the first year that you begin running, and you shouldn’t feel depressed that you aren’t considering to run a marathon.

When I did my first marathon questions conference call, one of the questions that was asked was about getting ready for an August marathon without getting injuring. The person who asked had been running for less than a month, and wanted to run a marathon about 8 months later. (You can listen to the replay here: Marathoning Conference Call #1. It was the 3rd question answered.)

It seemed a little strange to me to tell him that I wouldn’t even recommend that he consider it (especially since I was preparing to sell a book on how to prepare for a marathon.) My advice then is the same advice that I always give. Just because you can do something, doesn’t necessarily mean that you should do it.

If you’ve been running for less than a year like Chrissy has, then there’s no need to feel like you need to run long runs or need to run a marathon. Just go out and enjoy yourself. If you don’t enjoy your long runs because they take too much time, then cut them short. Run for a specified amount of time and discover the distance as you go rather than being a slave to reaching a certain number of miles.

After another year of running, I bet that Chrissy will discover that instead of running 5 miles in a specific amount of time, she is running 6 miles. Isn’t that nice?

Any time somebody begins running for the first time, or resumes running after a number of years away from the sport, they are going to see some rapid changes in their body in a short amount of time. The first few years should be spent enjoying the act of running and gradually building up what you can do so that you do not rush directly into an injury.

The idea is to enjoy the sport and let your needs and desires in the sport evolve as you get into shape. If you decide that you don’t like being competitive, then just go out and have fun without racing. If you decide that you don’t want to run a marathon, then shrug and run a 5k. Or go for a 2 mile jig jog.

A year or two down the line, maybe you’ll change your mind. Maybe you won’t. Either way, just enjoy yourself.

Get in shape, be healthier, and improve the quality of your life. Keep yourself open to new possibilities and new experiences, but don’t feel pressured just because of some random person on the internet or some friends that you train with decide they want to do something like a marathon.

There are a lot of benefits that running can bring into your life. Embrace the amount of training that you can enjoy, and only compete when it is fun to do so. When training or racing becomes a job, then it is time to take a little time off and go back to easy running or cross training for a time until you can recharge your batteries.

Chrissy may never decide to run a marathon, and perhaps you won’t either. Then again, a few years down the road perhaps you may change your mind. It took me 7 or 8 years before I ran my first marathon, and I didn’t run my second marathon until almost 3 years after that. Granted, I started running as a kid, and now I’m a nut job that runs multiple marathons per year, but I only do it because I find enjoyment in the pursuit. I find intense satisfaction in the training to race the way that I do and in the competition when I arrive at the starting line. Maybe some day you or Chrissy will feel that you want to experience the same things that I do, but then again maybe you won’t.

Enjoy what you have, enjoy what you do, and keep your mind open to new experiences. Running marathons doesn’t define you as a runner. It’s just an extra number that you can brag about to your friends.