manical says:

This is a rhetorical question. I've already paid my fee and I've been "training" for a year to do this, so barring a natural disaster I am running in this marathon. As mentioned I have been training for the better part of a year, and I just completed an 18 mile run/walk training session. It took me over 4.5 hours mainly because my feet were so sore that I could barely lift them. I could have quit the run but I just wanted to tell my brain that I could finish. I am going to do another 18 miles this coming weekend.
I believe my race pace is 7 hours to finish 26.2 miles. Am I wrong to think I should be doing this? I've checked previous run times for this marathon and people have completed in 9 plus hours, so I know they at least keep the race open for this long.
I have one more month of "training" but I know I can finish, but I won't be "running" throughout the race. Am I doing the race/myself a disservice? I don't think i will ever attempt a marathon again, at least not for another 5 years.

 clayberg says:

OMG, YOU HAVE TO DO IT!!! Stop the negative thoughts , you have put your time and miles in and trained for this race for a year. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!    No one said it was a walk in the park, you are going to be sore. So lace up those shoes and think positive!

Goooooooooooooo Manical!!!

I'll be your cheerleader   :P

 MarlaMom says:

Yes, you should absolutely go for it! You will be so proud of yourself once you cross that finish line, no matter what the time. Walking/running is fine! That's the method that pro-runner Jeff Galloway ardently advocates! I'm training to do a marathon, as well, and I am PLANNING on walking/running. PLUS--18 miles?? That's incredible! How many people can say they've done that?? Good Job, and Good Luck!

 sub_pop says:

Your mantra for this race: "I am the only one running" If all but the best stayed home, it wouldn't be a race. There is no disservice to a race, and the greatest disservice to yourself is quitting.

Congrats on training hard. The only reason to hold off is if you are concerened for your health if you run. Remember, this is a sport for life, and training for a race is not the same as training for your last race. Trust your body, it will tell you if this is right for you.

 RunnerGirl77 says:

Get out there and charge that hill...err, marathon. In my "return" to the running world in 2001, I ran the DisneyWorld Marathon, coming in just under 7 hours. Before the race, I was ready for that to be my last marathon. After the run, in spite of the pain, I was ready to chew on another. Within two weeks I was signed up for Quebec City, where I shaved 1-1/2 hours off of my time.

As Jeff Galloway says, by completing a marathon, you are a special breed, as only one-tenth of one percent of the population has ever completed a marathon. Dare to be one of the number! You can do it!

 flix123 says:

Running, walking, skating however you do it, its a fantastic personal goal to have and an achievement you will never forget. There are many walkers doing Marathons, its perfectly acceptable. I also have my first one in 4 weeks and I will just give it the best I have and if its not good enough, or I can't finish, no big deal, there'll be another one.

 Smiler says:

I've only done one marathon in my life - Edinburgh 1999 - and have pondered ever since about whether I might do another. But just wanted to say that I stupidly never ran more than 15 miles in training, and still managed to run/walk a less than 5 hour marathon. When I was training I just couldn't visualise doing that extra 11 miles beyond what I had managed up until then, but it's amazing how you are spurred on to achieve so much more in a race. Even if I don't run another marathon - and I think I will at some point, with more sensible training - I will always be proud of having achieved that one - it's a fantastic feeling at the end.
So, Manical,I just want to agree with what others have said - you've already achieved so much in your training, that you MUST do this marathon - the race itself is unlikely to be as painful as your 18 miles of running in training, and you will never forget that wonderful feeling of having done it - even if you decide you never want to do it again. Good luck!

 mooney505 says:

I am impreseed with anyone who runs a marathon!!!! I have only run one half marathon and can't even imagine what it would feel like to do a full. You may hurt some while doing it but I am sure after it is over you will be so proud of yourself for sticking to it. I know several people who have run marathons and all walked at some point. You will do great.

 Sareybabes says:

Just do it!

 flipya says:

Forgetting about the incredible dedication it has taken to get to where you are right now; forgetting about the mental stamina you must have to have pushed through your last run in spite of the pain; forgetting about the fact that completing a marathon is, to me, a lifetime achievement that is just unbelievable . . .forgetting about all that - I can guarantee you that when you say you did a marathon from now until the end of time - it will be precious few people who will say, 'How long did it take you?'. The typical response will be 'You went for TWENTY-SIX POINT TWO MILES?? That's something special.'

 Daft Punk says:

Sedit qui timuit ne non succederet.

Translation: He who feared he would not succeed sat still.

 willowtree says:

I admire all of you who have run or are training to run a marathon! I can't imagine how hard that must be. It has taken me a couple of years to feel ready to do a 10k run and I am super slow.
Good luck manical and well done. Your race must be coming up soon. All the best to you. And Daft Punk's quote is so, so true.

 sudsysgl says:

thanks for all the inspiring comments - i too am training for my first marathon and am on some crazy schedule that is about spending the time on my feet - not the distance. i can't imagine not going the distance on the day of, walking, crawling, running, whatever. But shouldn't I get some longer than 13-15 miles days in prior???? right now i am not even doing that!