Why You Should Run a Marathon with Someone When Doing it for the First Time
Running a marathon can be one of the most rewarding experiences, but it can also be an incredibly daunting task to take on for the first time. Some drawbacks that many consider before starting their marathon journey include; the dedicated time you need to take to training, the fear that you’re not fit enough, as well as finding it difficult to fit your training and eventual marathon around your busy schedule. However, there are a few things you can do to make the experience more enjoyable and make it easier to get marathon-ready in no time! One of the most beneficial ways to enhance your marathon training is through gaining a training partner. Here are a few reasons why having a training partner can be one of the most beneficial things you can do when running a marathon for the first time.
Keep Going!:
Running a marathon can be one of the most mentally and physically challenging tasks to take on, especially if you only have yourself to keep accountable. Having someone by your side can provide the motivation and encouragement you need to keep going when you feel like giving up, which can happen a lot as a marathon runner! It’s a daunting task to take upon yourself for the first time, but having someone there to cheer you on when you’re so close to giving up can be all the motivation you need. Whether you’re physically aching from your last run or mentally giving up when you can’t see the finish line in sight, a running partner can be that motivation you need to get to the finish line.
Support Club:
Why not join a running club and have multiple running buddies to keep you on the right path? Although running is seen as a predominantly individual sport, most marathons are seen as part of mass participation sporting events and have hundreds and even thousands at times, participating together. Running a marathon can be an emotional rollercoaster, so when you hit a rough patch, it can be helpful to have someone to lean on for support and encouragement. Whether that’s one person or ten, it’s always good to have support around you when times get tough.
No Escape:
By having someone else there with you along the way, you can both hold each other accountable when things get tough. It’s easy to let one or two days of no training slip into something more permanent, and before you know it you’ve given up on your marathon dream altogether. However, when you have a running partner, they can pull you out of bed when you can’t do it for yourself. It’s a lot harder to quit when someone else is depending on you to also get them to the finish line. With someone else there to hold you accountable, you can continue to put in the work to help each other reach your goals. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Bonding Experience:
Training for a marathon is no easy feat. It takes incredible time and dedication, and having this experience with someone else ultimately means you’ll be spending a lot of time together. This mightn’t be the best if it’s your mortal enemy, but for most people, it can be a great bonding experience. Going through the highs and lows of training for a marathon can be incredibly gratifying, and having someone there to push you to the end as well as celebrate with you through every milestone is imperative.
As well as the training, running a marathon with someone else can be a fun and memorable experience. You can share the highs and lows of the race and celebrate together when you cross the finish line. Going through the experience of training for, and running, a marathon together can create a strong bond between you and your running partner. You never know, you could even develop a lifelong friendship!
So, if you’re considering running a marathon for the first time, you should think about recruiting a friend, family member, or someone you know who is also interested in doing a marathon to join you. They can support and push you and it could be the thing standing between you and reaching that finish line!
