Running a marathon isn’t impressive at all

Weatherman Jonathan Gilman wrote:

running a marathon isn’t hard at all. If you’re somewhat fit and have ran for a few weeks you could run the entire distance.

people act like running a marathon is some monumental achievement but honestly it’s not impressive or tough to do. It’s just going to be hard to recover from so running marathons isn’t the smartest thing to do if you have impressive fitness goals your trying to achieve (because running a marathon isn’t an impressive fitness goal).

and don’t get me started on WALKING a marathon, which even some people who are massive and out of shape could do

SPC wrote:

Weatherman Jonathan Gilman wrote:

running a marathon isn’t hard at all. If you’re somewhat fit and have ran for a few weeks you could run the entire distance.

people act like running a marathon is some monumental achievement but honestly it’s not impressive or tough to do. It’s just going to be hard to recover from so running marathons isn’t the smartest thing to do if you have impressive fitness goals your trying to achieve (because running a marathon isn’t an impressive fitness goal).

and don’t get me started on WALKING a marathon, which even some people who are massive and out of shape could do

And your running credentials please.

kssixu88 wrote:

Most marathoners are day hikers, hiking fast rather than running. I will never understand why someone would ever want to enter a marathon if there was no expectation that they can run the entire thing without stopping.

If you can run all the way without stopping, even if you are really slow, you have my respect. But, I bet that is less than 10-20% of all finishers.

Things happen in a marathon and you might be forced to walk a bit, but why toe the line if you know you will walk?

I've done 4 marathons, all under 3 hours. In only one of them did I actually run the entire way without stopping or a quick walk break. I feel like I have run one marathon.

ngmi wrote:

It's "have run" not "have ran" you subliterate.

blarf wrote:

For an in-shape, 22 year old post-grad working at a running show store -- No. You're young, have very little going on in life that would prevent you from being able to train and could probably do it by yourself on a Saturday.

For a 42 year old dad, with 3 kids and a high pressure job, it's wildly impressive. For someone in cancer treatment, it's very impressive. For the vast majority of people out there, it's a major accomplishment.

It's all about context. I suspect the OP is younger and in shape with very little outside commitments. If you actually have a lot going on in life, it's very, very impressive.

Weatherman Jonathan Gilman wrote:

running a marathon isn’t hard at all. If you’re somewhat fit and have ran for a few weeks you could run the entire distance.

people act like running a marathon is some monumental achievement but honestly it’s not impressive or tough to do. It’s just going to be hard to recover from so running marathons isn’t the smartest thing to do if you have impressive fitness goals your trying to achieve (because running a marathon isn’t an impressive fitness goal).

and don’t get me started on WALKING a marathon, which even some people who are massive and out of shape could do

Weatherman Jonathan Gilman wrote:

running a marathon isn’t hard at all. If you’re somewhat fit and have ran for a few weeks you could run the entire distance.

people act like running a marathon is some monumental achievement but honestly it’s not impressive or tough to do. It’s just going to be hard to recover from so running marathons isn’t the smartest thing to do if you have impressive fitness goals your trying to achieve (because running a marathon isn’t an impressive fitness goal).

and don’t get me started on WALKING a marathon, which even some people who are massive and out of shape could do

Weatherman Jonathan Gilman wrote:

running a marathon isn’t hard at all. If you’re somewhat fit and have ran for a few weeks you could run the entire distance.

people act like running a marathon is some monumental achievement but honestly it’s not impressive or tough to do. It’s just going to be hard to recover from so running marathons isn’t the smartest thing to do if you have impressive fitness goals your trying to achieve (because running a marathon isn’t an impressive fitness goal).

and don’t get me started on WALKING a marathon, which even some people who are massive and out of shape could do

Rocket88 wrote:

blakes point wrote:

If running a marathon isn't that impressive for you personally, no big deal, I understand. Then the question would be, what specifically will you accomplish in your lifetime that you will find personally satisfying and give you that sense of accomplishment? And of course it doesn't have to be running related, but do let us know. Because it's certainly easy to belittle something others find to be worth their time and effort, even if you don't. Much harder to put something out there so we can then judge if it's impressive or not.

Any takers on that challenge? Lord knows this website will still be around in 20 years looking exactly the same. So go ahead and start a thread about it. We can check back in.