Tuesday, May 5, 2009

I'll Never Do a Full Marathon

I've done 2 half marathons and have another coming this weekend. And that's plenty. I continually say that I will never run a full marathon...but I believe anyone can do it.

I'm a huge fan of the show The Biggest Loser, and tonight the final 4 contestants completed 26.2 miles each. One finished in what seemed to be "real runner" time, just under 5 hours. Another came in around 6. The next walked the entire thing in 9 hours. And the final walked—and almost had to be taken to the hospital on the way—but finished in 13 hours.

I bawled my eyes out the entire time I watched them.

These incredible people probably thought they'd never even run around the block, let alone complete 26 miles. And they did it. All of them. What an inspiration.

One of the best parts of training for my upcoming half has been cheering on and praising my novice runner friend. It's really exciting to watch people as they realize they can do things they never thought they were capable of.

So maybe I shouldn't say "I'll never" anymore...

15 comments:

Sosiesmama721 said...

One of my BF just did a half a marathon this weekend & she is hooked now. Can't wait to go to DC in October for her first marathon. Training is intense, I don't think I could do it but like you said never say never. Love the biggest loser, I think there's a clause somewhere in the credits that says "be warned, it's impossible to watch this show without turning into a heaping sobbing mess" it kills me everytime.

Summer said...

I'm training for a half marathon as well and it's brutal, I think we had an 11 week program and I've never had so many aches and pains!! Congrats to you on both previous runs and good luck on your upcoming!

laura said...

good luck this weekend (it is this weekend, right?). You girls will have fun...and who knows...maybe you will be inspired to do a full marathon!!!

justrun said...

I said never, and was a liar. I said never again, and was a liar again. :)
Someday it might sound like a good idea.
As long as you realize what you're already doing is HUGE, you'll be able to move on to anything.

Heather said...

Yay! San Francisco '10 here we come!

Hannah said...

I always get a little teary-eyed when I watch that show. But last night I was a mess. I cried the whole time. I am glad to know I am not the only one who weeps while watching it.

Anonymous said...

What if I just don't like running? Am I allowed to say "never" then?

megabrooke said...

ah! good luck this weekend!
come train with me and be my mentor for my first half in october?!

Melissa Maris said...

Semicharmed - I know! I cry every week watching that, too. So good. You're a good friend for going to cheer on your BF. Very cool.

Summer - Is it your first? I definitely was in the most pain training for my first race. It gets easier, I promise. :)

Laura - Thanks - I wish you were doing it with us! One of these days you and I need to team up (not for a triathlon though :)

JustRun - All your lying has led to some mighty inspiring blogs. :)

Heather - Check you out commenting on my blog. :) Maybe SF...that one killed my knees last year! But it sure was pretty.

Hannah - Good I feel much better knowing that. I went through a few kleenexes. It was so good.

Geekhiker - I don't know - they might invent a hiking marathon someday and you might do that, so never say never.

Brookem - I would LOVE to do that! Maybe if I have any vacation time left after the summer I'll come out for a visit. :P

laura said...

Melissa....you totally have to do a tri...the one at Newport Dunes was a blast!!!!!!

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

First, Sweets and I both can be found crying at the end of any given episode of the Biggest Loser. We love that show.

Second, training for a marathon in 30 days is redonkulous. I hope that show doesn't give novices any bad ideas.

Third, marathon training is half physical, half mental. If you've completed half marathons, you've got it physically. Now, you just need to want it mentally and you'll do just fine!

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited for this weekend! I really never thought i could do this, so thank you for being my inspiration! Really the best part of this whole thing has been getting to spend so much time with you! See you tomorrow! xoxoxox

Bretthead said...

I run my mouth a lot. My other end got the runs after some bad mexican food. Happy to contribute. Gotta run...

hahahahaha - word verification is mothpoo

Jane Moneypenny said...

WTF?! The fact you run at all amazes me. I turn for 1/4th of a mile and I'm out.

Anonymous said...

I officially hate running, so how much would you charge to come to Austin and be my running cheerleader? (thecoconutdiaries...from work!)