# I just ran my first Marathon! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 24, 2009, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504 "2009-05-24T23:38:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/57b2e6/32.png) [@Quasimodal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodal)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/1 "2009-05-24T23:38:10Z")
Hooray! I didn’t run fast, and I didn’t run all of it but I finished. My final time is about 5:28. No speed demon here. But Four years ago I was 50 pounds overweight, it’s been a great journey to this point. I’m already thinking of my next one! I want to try to run another one in September. This time I will be on my summer holidays and will have lots of time to adequately train. I hope to beat five hours for sure next time! ---
**Author:** ![Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sticks_and_scones/32/16951_2.png) [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/2 "2009-05-24T23:47:34Z")
Wow! Congratulations. Once upon a time I was a runner. I hope to do that someday again. Good for you.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Spezza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Spezza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spezza)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/3 "2009-05-25T00:22:48Z")
Cheers. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/4 "2009-05-25T01:28:40Z")
I was 50 lbs overweight, now I am 25 lbs overweight. I have run a few 10ks and signed up for the 1/2 marathon training team for the race this November. So - you are my idol! CONGRATS! So share your insights. What were your struggles? How did you feel when you finished? What was your fitness level 6 months before the race? Oh and CONGRATS! ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/5 "2009-05-25T02:07:14Z")
Congrats **Quasimodal**! Isn’t it amazing what you were able to accomplish? I lost about 40 pounds and ran my first half marathon in April, and look forward to doing it again! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/6 "2009-05-25T03:09:19Z")
Way to go!!! ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/7 "2009-05-25T04:05:44Z")
grats! I bet you felt tired but great for a couple hours afterward, dincha? Beta endorphins ftw! ---
**Author:** ![BaneSidhe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@BaneSidhe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaneSidhe)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/8 "2009-05-25T05:02:31Z")
Congrats!!! ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/9 "2009-05-25T15:46:19Z")
Good job! 🙂 Was this at the Saskatoon marathon? My brother ran the half (he did the full last year but didn’t train for it this year) and my cousin’s wife ran the full and did well. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/10 "2009-05-25T17:17:14Z")
I guess he is still sleeping…🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/11 "2009-05-25T18:00:48Z")
That is so cool. I’m sure it took a lot of work & dedication. Congrats!! ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/12 "2009-05-25T18:56:22Z")
Congratulations! That’s so fantastic - a perfectly good time, too. I sprained my damned ankle, so I’m about to fall behind on my training program myself. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/13 "2009-05-25T20:06:25Z")
> [@newcrasher](#): > > I guess he is still sleeping…🙂 No, he just discovered that even typing hurts. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/14 "2009-05-25T20:55:56Z")
Congratulations - I am supposed to run my first Half marathon this Sunday, but have some IT band issues. I am hoping to still make it though - lots of Advil, foam roller, stretching and strap! ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/57b2e6/32.png) [@Quasimodal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodal)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/15 "2009-05-26T04:35:46Z")
Yes! It was in Saskatoon. I’m really not an incredible athlete or anything. About 6 month ago I could run about 10k. I trained hard for about 5 weeks, and then I had 5 weeks of next to nothing. I have truly learned the meaning of will power from this experience. There came a point around 33km where I hit the wall and learned the only thing that would allow me to finish was positive thoughts and mental will power. I’m still reflecting but I really think this event has changed me in a lot of ways. I feel very confident and empowered right now…like nothing is beyond my grasp. Also I think runners are amongst the best human beings out there. I found the only way i could finish was if I was positive to other runners coming past. We kept each other going; it was the power of positive energy. My legs are sore, and I’m a bit wobbly today, but it’s like a badge of honor. I think everyone should do this. People are so proud and supportive of what I did. It’s great. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/16 "2009-05-26T05:45:53Z")
That is fantastic! Congratulations. Do you still consider yourself “overweight” or do you feel you are at the right weight now? I don’t think I’d ever want to run a marathon myself, but have tremendous respect for those who do. It’s a truly amazing accomplishment. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/17 "2009-05-26T07:28:49Z")
What an accomplishment! You must feel terrific! Way to go! ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/18 "2009-05-26T15:00:14Z")
Fantastic! I love hearing about successes like this! It motivates me and honestly brings a tear to my eye. What’s your next race? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/19 "2009-05-26T15:10:58Z")
> [@Quasimodal](#): > > Also I think runners are amongst the best human beings out there. I found the only way i could finish was if I was positive to other runners coming past. We kept each other going; it was the power of positive energy. Seriously, runners are the _nicest_ people- maybe they’re competitive at the front of the pack, but at the back with me everybody wants everybody to win. And of course the runners online have kept me going when I’ve seriously thought about giving up. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504/20 "2009-05-26T16:05:48Z")
Yup, I agree. I find that runners, cyclists, triathletes, etc., are very supportive of each other. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ran-my-first-marathon/497504.md?page=2)