5 reasons to commit to and walk a marathon.

by

Walk a marathon with me? She enquired.

Hells yes! I responded.

I agreed.

I asked.

I trained.

I laughed.

I flew.

I walked.

I loved.

walk a marathon

 

1. You’ll realize (again) how you think differently from the rest of the world. Even my hardcore runner friends thought I was nuts.

They told me *repeatedly* how they’d never be capable of walking 26.2 miles. They told me *repeatedly* how much harder it would be than even Galloway (run/walk intervals). They told me *repeatedly* they didn’t think they could do it. I was convinced I could. Each time I thought: I’m walking the Oakland marathon! I felt badass.

 

2. Walking 26.2 feels attainable. Sure it’s a crazypants idea, yet each time you utter the word *walk* you can simultaneously say to yourself “How bad can it be? I walk every damn day!”

On top of that (and this was the best piece of advice I received) more than long, long training runs (yuck) walking 26.2 is about time spent on your feet. Early morning ambles lasting 6 hours? That entirely sounded attainable! Training run of 20 miles? Nope, never, I couldn’t ever.

In addition, early in the process I read somewhere 26.2 miles equaled 55k steps. 55k? I thought that sounded entirely doable.

marathon spectator sign

 

3. It’s not running. I’m strong. I feel as though I am capable of doing anything as long as it doesn’t involve running.

Lift heavy things/set them back down, re-learn to roller skate, climb walls, stand up paddle, strap on bouncy boots—I can do all of it!  If you ever see me running then something baaad is coming up behind me. You best run too.

oakland running festival 2017

 

4. Walkers get a medal…and the whole flipping marathon experience. I did not feel ‘less than’ during the marathon weekend in the slightest! Heading into it I knew *I* believed it’s as good if not better—but so did everyone else! I’m not one to care what others think yet will admit the fact I didn’t have to ‘defend’ my ambulating choice felt great.

oakland marathon medals

 

5. It’s an UNBELIEVABLE sense of accomplishment. I rock at complimenting myself. I kickass at acknowledging all the things I do well and at telling myself (and others) about these stuffs. It had been ages since I’d done anything where people (strangers!) cheered me on in a literal sense and it felt fantastic! I cannot think of the last time I stepped up to a challenge, entirely wondered if I’d succeed and DID–publicly!

Even though completing a marathon was never on my bucket list (and may not be on yours) the sense of pride I had at finishing was unparalleled.

oakland marathon finishline

 

As I crossed the finish line, even though I’d achieved my goal of walking 26+ miles and still having ‘energy left in the tank’, my first thought was:

Fun! Nailed it! Never again!

As I told the Child the next morning (when I woke up shockingly soreness-free except my second toes):

I’ll never do another marathon. I love my feet too much.

the oaks ojai

Apparently marathon-walking is precisely like having a child (who knew?).

A few weeks later and, no nails lost (!) and I’ve signed up for another.

New goal added (finish strong *and* with happy 2nd toes on both feet) and, again, telling myself this is the last time.

Maybe.

POSTS BY EMAIL

Never miss a post. Enter your email to get my latest posts delivered to your inbox.

Comments

  3. Congratulations on doing it! My work schedule wouldn’t give me time to train, maybe i could do a 10k. It’s an intriguing idea.

  5. Marathons are definitely like childbirth. It’s amazing how fast you remember only the good part of it.

    I’ve run marathons and psuedo galloway’d marathons. I get bored walking to the store… So, hats off to you for walking the marathon! If you promised I could talk your ear off for 26.2, I might be willing to join you. LOL

  6. I admit, I thought you were nuts for walking a marathon. Mostly because running a marathon is torture so I can’t imagine walking one… 🙂 Welcome to the club! You’ve officially been bitten by the race bug.

  8. Ooooh she’s slipping into the vortex….
    I was one of those people who said “I could never” when walking a marathon came up. Running is so ingrained in me it’s just what I do. I super love that you’re wanna do another!

  12. Haha! It’s addictive . . . the sense of accomplishment! Love that you walked the whole thing!!! An awesome achievement and you are such a great role model!!!

  13. 🙂 🙂 🙂 Yay! I’ve never done Austin. Maybe someday, but my house is SO CLOSE to mile 18.5 of the course I think I’d be tempted to go home instead of finishing. 😛

    FYI, I bet you finished your marathon faster than I finished my marathon for the Ironman… and I ran some of it… 🙂

  15. hehehe, I think this is the only way I could ever commit to finishing a marathon. 😛 I think I’ve done >30k steps before but probably not 55! Congrats on finishing! :]

  16. Way to go! I’ve ran a few…..and honestly the pain of walking so long versus just running gets me every time! THIS has to be harder!

  17. I loved watching your adventure. I guess both walking and running a marathon is like that child thing. I remember very well saying “never again” after my first. Then, a week later, trying to figure out how to do it better.

  18. Yes, marathon finishers tend to forget how miserable the experience may have been. I know I laid in bed for a few days after my last one, but I’m already thinking about my next one. Hmmm…

Trackbacks

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This