Running your first marathon can take 4 years off your vascular age

[JaoJao]

So this article was posted today by Runner’s world and what motivation it serves to run a marathon! ... for me, maybe not anytime soon but some day.

runnersworld.com/uk/news/a3...

What races are you doing currently? Do you have your sights set for further distances? Are you happy where you are? Do articles like this motivate you to reach higher?

[Macmac Marathon]

Yes, I read this as it was copied on news sites also. I think it reinforces what we probably all realise. I can certainly say running 5k is a lot easier than it was 2 years ago. I did my first marathon in October, and am not in a hurry to do another road marathon, but will one day - maybe next year. The training needs commitment. I am hoping to do a 50k ish trail ultra later this year instead. I love a good road race and will do HM, 10k and 5 mile races in the spring and summer but love the trails and hills, enjoying the scenery and slower pace. I am glad to have done a road marathon though, and wish anyone training for one this year all the best with their training 👍

[JaoJao in reply to Macmac]

Well done on your marathon Mac, at least you’ve tried it now, been there got the t-shirt and now you know which races are for you. Best wishes for your HM, 10K and 5 miles too 👍👍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I read that too. I have to say it hasn't inspired me to run a marathon ... but I did keep reading til I found the bit that said shorter distances were beneficial too! Realistically I don't think I have a marathon in me, for all sorts of reasons - mental, physical, dedication, time availability to name a few - but I would like to push on to the metric marathon mark if my foot is up to it. I really admire anyone who attempts a marathon though, and maybe I should 'never say never', but for now it's not happening 😂

[JaoJao in reply to linda9389]

As you know I am a strong believer of “never say never”... take each race at a time. Maybe one day, maybe not, we’re still making progress👍

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

I like the article but then again I have read extensively about long distance running so I knew of the benefits. I love lone distance running anyway and I'm training for another long run through my own makeshift plan loosely based on heart rate. Marathon is all about discipline and organisation. You simply must commit or you'll suffer more than usually. I've reached the stage where I can't be talked out or motivated further so I'm toying with an idea of going 50k to start with. We'll see. 😉

[misswobble Marathon]

Good for you 😃💪👍

[misswobble Marathon]

I read it in the Telegraph I was very pleased as I had put off attempting it after reading dire warnings that marathons were “toxic” and damaging to our hearts. Conflicting advice or what 🤷‍♀️

Anyway glad I finally bit the bullet. I will be running my fourth marathon this year 🙂

[AnnaKarenina Metric Marathon]

I work with the team who did this work (one of them is medical director of the London Marathon) and it made me think at least all this hard work is achieving something even when I feel like I am going backwards in terms of progress! I was already committed because of the intrinsic motivation to raise money for my oncology team, so it didn't motivate me per se but does help when I have a terrible run (which I did this week).