Hi, this is Debbie Boyles, coach at Mojo for Running with podcast number 55.

Should you do your first marathon?

Today we'll discuss whether you should do your first marathon and how to know if you're ready.

First, who should do a marathon?

I mentioned this in another podcast earlier in the summer about first-time

marathoners, that when people tell me they're thinking about doing a marathon, I don't encourage

them. Now, you're probably saying, what? Debbie does not encourage people to do marathons?

Let me explain. I don't discourage them either. The thing is, as you know, doing a

marathon is a big thing. It takes tremendous resolve and it's downright dangerous if you don't

train properly. For that reason, I believe the decision to do or not to do a marathon is and

should be extremely personal. I don't like to see people

pushing other runners into it. I don't like to hear them say, oh, do it, do it, you can do it. Come on,

let's do a marathon together. It's one thing for somebody to say that about a 5K or 10K or even a half

marathon. But a marathon is a different animal if you do a marathon

because someone else convinces you to do it then you likely won't have the drive it takes

and the level of commitment it takes what it requires to actually do it right enjoy it succeed

and come out the other side uninjjured. I don't think any runner should feel

like they have to do a marathon to be considered a real runner or a serious runner, not at all.

I just want anyone to take the time to think it over. I want it to always be their decision. Now that said, some of my

runners will ask me if I think they can do it or if they're ready to embark on that

journey. I'm happy to answer that question. And if they decide they do want to do it, then I am

100% behind them and I'm 100% excited for them and I'll then be

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