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Comment by js2 | Hacker News Reader

I have complered four marathons with times of 4:22, 4:15, 3:56, and 3:36. Only the last of those really felt like I "ran" the marathon. It required an average of 42 miles/week of training (peak week of 60 miles) for 16 weeks.

So, sure, go complete a marathon, it's a great experience. But if you want to truly "run" a marathon, for god's sake, do it right.

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I agree that if you want to tell someone you didn't stop during the marathon for a break or to walk that you should train for it. What this post demonstrates is that it is possible to complete something that most people avoid out of fear.

The marathon should not be feared, but it should be respected. 26 miles 385 yards is a long way. One should also be aware of hyponatraemia which tends to happen more often to the ill-prepared who may not be aware of its cause. (Losing lots of fluid via sweat and replacing it only with water.)

Anyway, completing a marathon is quite an endeavor and it seems to me it's worth doing well, not just to say you did it.

I agree completely. I didn't do sports in high school or college aside from some casual fencing, but I've started running in the last few months. I've been surprised at how much of a mental activity it really is.

Would people be interested in an article on "How to Run a Marathon the Hard Way"? There's a ton of stuff out there on how to run a marathon in four months and survive it, but not very much on how to spend two years gradually working up through the shorter distances so you can feel completely prepared for the marathon.

I think there's a lot of enjoyment from the shorter races that it's easy to miss out on from just moving straight up to the marathon. The camaraderie in most local road races and running clubs is great, and can really improve both your social life and enjoyment of running.

I was never into running but until this past summer when I logged around 25 miles/wk. I ran my first 'official' 5k at the end and curiously felt like I was being dragged through it (for all the reasons runners much more experienced than me cautioned I would). So I can 110% appreciate your experience.

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