This weekend I have followed the fantastic New York City Marathon closely. I've also been going down my own Memory Lane of good marathon times gone by. The weather in NYC today was spectacular; a perfect Fall day for a 26.2 mile run through every part of the Big Apple. I was wishing I was a part of this great event today.
I've mentioned before that the first marathon I trained for and ran was with my Mom and Dad; quite a cherished experience. Our weekday runs would start at 4:45am, so our small group would finish well before 6:30am. I loved our early morning runs, being finished with training before my work/school day had even begun.
Benefits of running are:
1. Increased energy
2. Endorphins putting me in a great, positive mood
3. Blood circulating well
4. Muscles and bones strengthened
5. Cardiovascular system strengthened
6. Having time to think and clear my head, etc.
We completed the St. George Marathon together, holding hands across the finish line. I even have the picture. It was a very special moment.
The next marathon I trained for and completed was the Chicago Marathon, three years later. I lived in Chicago at the time. It was a very different experience training and running this time around. I would either run very early in the morning with two of my good friends, or during the day pushing my toddler in his jogger stroller.
Once I was in my last month of training I ran alone. My friends were not running the marathon with me, so they did not need or wish to be running 12,16, 20, 22 miles. When marathon day came, I ran it alone, on my own. Let me just say that if you have a choice to run it with someone or run it alone, choose the later.
There is much to be said for cheering each other on, giving each other that extra boost of "you can do this," especially when you "hit the wall." Yes, everyone does "hit the wall" by mile 21-22..You then have to push through the last 4 miles or so to cross that line. I finished the Chicago Marathon alone, and appreciated the cheers from hundreds of strangers all along the way. My little family and neighbor friends were there to greet me as I came in, as well.
My third marathon was in San Diego, California. It was a beautiful winter day, and I loved running along the ocean and quaint beach town communities. This time I trained and ran it with a good friend, which was great. However, we did lose each other at mile 17, so we were not able to cheer each other on through our "hitting the wall" phase.
I must say the St. George Marathon is dear to my heart, because it's the one I ran and completed with my Mom and Dad. The scenery of the red rock canyons was completely magnificent. As far as cultural diversity and being able to run through every part of a great city, Chicago was phenomenal. San Diego was simply beautiful, aesthetically speaking. It doesn't get any better than running along side the ocean and small beach towns with perfect weather in the dead of winter.
As you can see, each location has it's highlights. This makes running a marathon adventurous and fun. Seeing new places that you may never have been before, meeting people from all walks of life, and testing your mental, physical, emotional strength is all a part of the Marathon experience. I highly recommend it.
Come on and join me in 2012 for a Marathon experience of a lifetime! I still have the dream and goal of running and completing the New York City Marathon, which was held today. I have 1 year to train. It is my fitness goal for this coming year. I intend to do all I can physically and mentally to prepare for it and be ready come November 7, 2012. Let's just say that it's on my Bucket List.
Let's keep sharing our love for fitness, healthy lifestyles with the world around us, our families and friends.
