Should You Run a Marathon?

The Pros and Cons of Running a Marathon

The Pros

• Motivation: Training for a marathon gives your workouts purpose. It turns those five-mile runs into steps toward running 26.2 miles. If you love running but have been struggling to stay motivated, training for a marathon can focus your mind and keep you energized.
• Health: To train effectively for a marathon, you have to stop smoking and limit drinking, get enough sleep, eat right, and exercise a lot. Though these are steps aimed at helping you finish the race, they have the added bonus of improving your overall health.
• Personal pride: Crossing the finish line gives you an immense sense of pride and satisfaction. Finishing a marathon means the successful conclusion not just of one long race, but of an entire training program.
• Bragging rights: Tell your friends you’re training for a 5K or 10K race, and you’ll get nice encouragement. Tell them you’re training for a marathon, however, and you’ll get awe, amazement, and appreciation.

The Cons

• Health: Experts disagree about the effects that long-distance running has on the heart. Many doctors and researchers stress that endurance exercise is, on the whole, great for your body, and that marathons are safe. But some studies have suggested that marathon-running can trigger or exacerbate preexisting heart problems. If you have heart issues, or if there’s a history of cardiac trouble in your family, see a doctor before starting a training program. You should also get checked out if you smoke, are overweight, are over 40 years old, or have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
• Time commitment: Preparing for a marathon requires a training program that lasts about sixteen weeks and includes runs that range from 30 minutes to 3–4 hours. Before starting a marathon training program, make sure you have the necessary time in your schedule to make your training successful.

Are You Physically Ready to Train?

• Have been running four times a week for at least a year
• Be able to run six miles without stopping
• Already be running at least 20 miles per week
• Already be running three or more days per week

If You Don’t Meet These Criteria

• Work up to marathon training: You can follow a training regimen that will bring you up to the ideal level for starting marathon training (see How to Prepare for Marathon Training). You may have to put off running the marathon for a year, but your training will go much more smoothly and you’ll face less risk of injury. If you’re not already running long distances often, it’s usually best to choose this option.
• Start marathon training anyway: Many people have completed marathons successfully without beginning from the ideal conditions outlined above, especially those who exercise regularly but don’t run often. If you do decide to start marathon training, make sure to listen to your body as you begin. If training seems too difficult, you may be better off improving your fitness level before starting marathon training in earnest.

How to Choose Which Marathon to Run

Popular Marathons

• New York Marathon: www.ingnycmarathon.org
• Chicago Marathon: www.chicagomarathon.com
• Los Angeles Marathon: www.lamarathon.com
• Boston Marathon: www.bostonmarathon.org (entrants must submit fast times to qualify, which means that this marathon is not open to beginners)
• Honolulu marathon: www.honolulumarathon.org
• Washington, D.C. Marine Corps Marathon: www.marinemarathon.com