|
Inspirational Marathon Stories
Following are inspirational marathon stories submitted by runners to give you some added motivation. Why do you want to run a marathon? Whatever the reason, use it to drive you through training and the finish line whether it be a marathon or half marathon. Here are some good ole' inspirational marathon stories that just may speak to you. Want to share your own story? Click here
A few months later we were devastated to find out that the cancer had come back and spread very aggressively. Shortly thereafter, Amy was taken from us. On January 10, 2010 my brother (Amy's husband), Amy's Brother and his wife, and myself will run the Disney Marathon for Amy. Krista O. Using the program detailed on this site, I finished the United States Marine Corps Marathon yesterday! Earned. Never Given! My family lost our grandmother at the beginning of this year and when I decided that I would run the marathon, I knew that she would want me to raise money for autism research as we have a wonderful cousin who is autistic (she is also a Special Olympian). Mike P. I have always run but kicked it into high gear this year. After completing a 1/2 marathon in June I wondered if a marathon wasn't as out of reach as I had previously thought so I continued to train hard. In August, a friend of mine was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. I committed to the marathon 2 days later. We are never guaranteed a "someday." I ran to honor her strength and positive spirit... and to show my 2 young daughters that anything is possible!!! I was never so proud as the moment my toes crossed that finish line!!! I not only finished, but also managed to rally friends to pledge money in honor of our friend and raise funds for a charity of her choosing..in a few short weeks we raised $800. What an accomplishment........ Kelly A. Yesterday, I ran the Cleveland Marathon and finished within my targeted time of beating 4 hours. I achieved 3:51 and was able to run the entire way. The MarathonRookie training plan was a huge help to me as I am not a part of any running group and do not have a lot of running friends from whom to derive much input. I just made the commitment 17 weeks ago that this was something I was going to do; I adopted the training plan and stuck to it faithfully. Training in Jan/Feb in Cleveland is hard given the weather but between using the treadmill and some breaks in the weather I was able to complete those early weeks of training. Cross-training also was a huge help. I did Pilates 2x/wk to help on core strength. I am 51 years old and was hardly much of an athlete before starting this. The training was a great guide to help me build up endurance. I don't know if I'll run another marathon in the future but I can look back on this experience proudly. There were many moments during miles 20-25 I wanted to stop and walk but I kept slapping down 1 foot after another and kept going. Hitting the finish line felt great. Thank you MarathonRookie for the simple training plan that I could readily adopt to help me through my first marathon. Daniel S. So when we got the clean bill of health 7 months later, I found myself running every day thinking of her and how strong she is. I entered myself in my first ever half marathon & boy did I have doubts if I could do it. I trained from September to April and set a goal of 3 hours to finish the half marathon. And I did it in 2.49 hours. You may have doubt in yourself as I had in myself. The most encouraging thing I did for myself was keep telling myself that I am doing this half marathon cause I can. I can do it because my sick daughter became healthy again. She showed me strength and I knew I had to keep my promise to show her how strong I am and to accomplish things that you think you can't! The half marathon was amazing. At mile ten when my hip was hurting badly, my daughter was on the side line. I ran over to her and gave her the biggest hug I've ever given her and I took off running. I started crying cause I remembered why I started running in the first place & I got so inspired to make her proud at the finish line. So now I have to accomplish a full marathon to really hold true to my promise... I'm aiming for February 2010! And I can't wait! Tamara S. April 5, 2009 I will be in the Berlin Half Marathon and then in September I plan on doing the AF Marathon that I wrote to my friend about. I am doing this not only for just what I promised but to also better myself physically. I have never been much of a runner most miles I had done was mainly 3 milers, but now that has all changed and I am in to my half marathon training and things are coming along great! LOVESWEET! Amy M.
January of 2008 I came home on leave and after attending a wedding the night before I ran my first half marathon and came in last. I smiled and said next year the full marathon. January of 2009 after having run the docks of Taiwan, Phillipines, and Honolulu I finished the Disney marathon! During the race I visualized a young lady putting on my medal! I have a daughter who is a combat medic and try to ispire her as she is inspiring me. Our kids are losing it in today's society and by setting an example of great achievements with joy and hard work they can do it too. Just got back visiting my Dad on the greek isles and if you like running on quiet mountain roads no place like it on earth. Dad is 93 and he got a boost of life that his little son ran a marathon! Tony M.
(Port St. Lucie, FL)
My goal was to finish and I did! My secondary goal (and what I thought was a long shot) was to break 4 hours, which I did...3:49. Feels great to accomplish what I thought was not possible a year ago. The last five miles was a struggle, especially the last two. Next time, I'll stretch my long run training sessions out closer to 25 miles. I'm wearing my marathon finisher shirt at work today, and the world seems a better place! Dale B.
I run in memory of my father, Ismael, who died of Alzheimer's in April 2004. I was very close to him and was his caregiver. It was difficult to see him go through that experience and decided that I was going to start living a life that challenged me to physically and mentally become a better person. A person I know that he would be proud of. I know that I can accomplish this but there are days... I'm committed to my training. There are days where I don't want to get up and go but I do it. Once I get moving... the body just follows. I love the General Patton quote - and I believe it because I have lived it. How ironic that Patton was one of my father's hero's in life... I'll keep you posted... Terri W.
About four years ago I was ejected from a car window that fractured 7 bones in my back, snapped bones off in my neck, hemorrhaged my brain, and ruptured my spleen. After that I became addicted to many kinds of drugs and flunked out of school. One day I realized how fortunate I am and how selfish I had become. So I began to strengthen my body with my mother’s help. I moved out of state and my roommate that had no idea of my injuries challenged me to the music city half marathon. I couldn't financially afford to enter but I trained as if I could. One day I woke up and put on my Nike shoes and attached my Ipod transmitter and ran the whole thing in my neighborhood. I finished in 2 hours 2 minutes and 3 seconds. Kristin B.
I started training in January and after I built my base, I started on your 16 week plan. Your website has been an incredible boost to keep me on track. I was disappointed with my result, 5 hours and 39 minutes because I cramped the last six miles. It was the worst experience and I swore I would never do this again. Shortly after I crossed that finish line and put the medal around my neck, I started thinking about my next training run! I can't wait to run again and improve my time! Noel A.
Dale B.
We started a biggest loser program at work and after several attempts at winning it, my weight loss was not enough until my 4th go around and I pulled out a win with the biggest PCT lost, what a feeling (my total loss is 42lbs). The weight loss was a combination of no drinking, (amazing how much better you feel in the morning) eating properly and exercise, no secret pill, be fair to your body. It started with the oh my good 5 min on the tread mill and when is it going to end, to now I can't wait to see if I can try some new interval training or push my pace time down 10 seconds over 5 miles. Well I ran in my first 1/2 marathon in Columbus and really just wanted to finish, because I had not ran that distance. My finish time was 1hr 48min 28sec and wow I'm still feeling it, I guess what I'm saying is I started at 5 min on the tread mill and now finished the Columbus 1/2 marathon and will be in the Florida 1/2 marathon in December and look out Detroit 2009 I'm training for the magic numbers 26.2 Remember tt's easier to stay in shape than get into shape! Greg S.
Thank you all for your stories of marathon inspiration. Want to share your story of marathon inspiration? Simply fill out the Marathon Inspiration form to share your story with others. |
