133 replies to this topic

[swfguy]

Hi there,
I am writing a book about marathons and would like to get some quick responses from anyone who has completed a marathon, (or not.)

Finish this sentence.


Marathons are...


Your response can be one word, a sentence or whatever you feel is appropriate.
Thanks in advance,
R

[cjr]

Awful whilst you are running them...fantastic the minute after you finish..

[Colin]

....a test of your ability over speed, endurance and consistency.

[Disco Dave]

a reminder of why I love running trails

[undercover brother]

training runs

Edited by undercover brother, 04 April 2012 - 08:45 AM.

[rohan]

... a calling.

[Martin Dugdale]

too short

[Colin]

Is this a thread for the marathon bashers, or those who suck at it to let off some frustration?

Give it a rest guys, lots of trail, ultra and walking threads.

...and btw I love trails too, hike them all the time and have run them better than most around here.

[Harryo]

Marathons are ....

more of an adventure than a race.

[DrJH]

about 20 miles too far.

[langswm]

.....the ultimate pinnacle for most recreational runners. Some who aspire to it will succeed, and some will fail, but all who partake in the journey will be better for the experience.

[MikeLikeRun]

sheer stupidity.

but i'm still looking forward to my second.

[SeeDanRun]

... frogs.

This is word association, right?

[slowmo]

If the OP thought that tapping the collective mind of CR in this way would provide gems of profound insight, they probably know better now

slowmo

[swfguy]

This is going well, I think.  There are no wrong answers.

[lyricnz]

...addictive

[redbackrun]

A great equaliser. Short or tall, rich or poor, everyone's on that start line together.

[MsMook]

Like childbirth

[Caterpillar]

..are a lot like life. 10% is what happens to you, and 90% is how you respond to it.

[dJunk]

...a gateway drug

[KentlynTiger]

Marathons are the test of your management skills, family, work & training (and probably a few niggles) to get the results you are aiming for.
Every person you meet, that hear you mention you are a runner will say 'I was a good runner at school', Yeah, one of thousands,
but how many can say they have run a Marathon, let alone really experience the journey of one.
That experience begins with the thought ,'I'd like to run a Marathon", to all the planning of time management to early morning runs
to the Long run each week Etc Etc.
To anyone contemplating a Marathon, enjoy the journey.

To DrJH, you could probably add up your 4 Australian 10000metre Titles and run a further 2.195km to get a Sub 2hour Marathon,
so you wouldn't have been out there long enough to enjoy that journey.

[Paul Every]

...a sadistic balance, requiring attention to both speed and endurance.

[Brendan90]

...A road race that is conducted over a distance of 42.195km

[Peterhorse]

... an intriguing challenge - a true test of physical and mental commitment, well before the finishing shute

[THE KEG]

A distant memory

[halfwaydown]

..destinations on a journey of self discovery.

[Stonewalled]

...to be respected

[vat]

...going to find out if you're not being honest about your fitness.

[TheRev]

... difficult

[halfwaydown]

...about the Challenge of making it to the Start Line, and the Reward of making it to the Finish Line.

[Wedgetail]

... Just long enough that any failings in your training will always show.

[slowmo]

slowmo, on 04 April 2012 - 09:47 AM, said:

If the OP thought that tapping the collective mind of CR in this way would provide gems of profound insight, they probably know better now

I spoke too soon. Many good offerings here.

slowmo

[langswm]

slowmo, on 04 April 2012 - 03:02 PM, said:

slowmo, on 04 April 2012 - 09:47 AM, said:

If the OP thought that tapping the collective mind of CR in this way would provide gems of profound insight, they probably know better now

I spoke too soon. Many good offerings here.

slowmo

.....especially after Colin chased the Ultra-tragics away!

[dJunk]

Stonewalled, on 04 April 2012 - 01:37 PM, said:

...to be respected

Totally agree with you Stonewalled...
They have a tendancy of battering those that don't, myself included.

[mgi11a]

Bring back the ultra tragics, their not knowing when to stop running makes me laugh.

"Marathons are easy once you've done one"

[KevM]

.....painful and joyous

[cappy]

......What Snickers used to be called (in the UK anyhow)

[pomgirl]

A test of mental strength as well as physical during the last 8K's but all worth it when you cross the finish line (in a good time!)

[crowpower]

devalued by all the other events put on to draw the big bucks.

[Pink Lady]

KevM, on 04 April 2012 - 03:46 PM, said:

.....painful and joyous

I agree with him
Am I a sadist if i say that marathons are painful fun

They are also a great way to learn about yourself

[undercover brother]

5km

[Davo]

A great way to admire the backside of females in front of you without being labelled a pervert.

[slowmo]

Davo, on 04 April 2012 - 05:51 PM, said:

A great way to admire the backside of females in front of you without being labelled a pervert.

You are a man of admirable candour Davo.

slowmo

[KiaKaha]

hmmm davo i'll have to start wearing shorter shorts hehe

[RunningWhiz]

Marathons are... my version of ultra when salbutamol, eformoterol furmalate dihydrate, sodium cromoglycate, benzoic acid, salmeterol, fluticasone propionate, montelukast and budesonide decide to have the day off.

[Jimmy4990]

Colin, on 04 April 2012 - 09:05 AM, said:

Is this a thread for the marathon bashers, or those who suck at it to let off some frustration?

Give it a rest guys, lots of trail, ultra and walking threads.

...and btw I love trails too, hike them all the time and have run them better than most around here.

Yes Colin, I see what you mean. To me, the marathon is my ultimate personal challenge. I can't understand why someone who is obviously a "super athlete" would bother mocking it

[Peterhorse]

... are between $40 and $120 usually

[Rico]

Marathons are the only part of running that nonrunners understand.

[maryclaire]

Rico, on 04 April 2012 - 07:36 PM, said:

Marathons are the only part of running that nonrunners understand.

Runners understand the significance of the "marathon" - 42.195km and need say no more, as it encompasses all that has been said above in that one litte word.

Non-runners seem to think it is a fluid term - eg. "a 10km marathon" or "a marathon of Spongebob episodes" or "a marathon effort".

[runhard]

... an obsession!