Why Do People Run Marathons? The Paradox of Pain and Pleasure

Hello, fellow runners and curious readers! Today, I want to unravel a perplexing question: why do people willingly put themselves through the gruelling ordeal of running marathons? It's a question that hit home with me recently after a tough experience at the Loch Ness Marathon. Trust me, my body is still feeling the aftermath, running at a gingerly 7-minute kilometre pace right now.

Let me set the stage. It's consecutive day 1584 of my "Diary of a Runpreneur," where I combine my passion for running with a mission to save children’s lives by attempting the ultimate ultramarathon the distance of a lap around the world, barefoot style! If you resonate with this mission, please subscribe, share, like, and comment. The more people we reach, the more money we raise and, ultimately, the more children we save.

A Painful Yet Addictive Challenge

To dissect why we run marathons, let's start with my own sobering tale. This past weekend, I ran the Loch Ness Marathon. Saying it was brutal would be an understatement. From bruised feet to sheer exhaustion, every step was a battle. Yet bizarrely enough, even after this horrendous experience, I'm already planning my next marathon. Maybe even aiming for 100 marathons before I turn 72 and potentially 50 ultras. Sounds crazy, right? Well, I’m not the only one.

One of my friends, who ran his first marathon with me at Loch Ness, swore it was the worst experience of his life. He said he never wanted to put himself through that again. Yet, just a day after the event, he was already talking about signing up for the Paris Marathon next year. Another friend despised running the Berlin Marathon and yet finds himself addicted to signing up for the next one. This level of commitment isn't unique – 55,000 people ran the Berlin Marathon, many facing severe challenges, including five participants who went into cardiac arrest but fortunately recovered.

The Allure of the Marathon

So, what drives people to endure this? I believe it boils down to the challenge. The concept of a marathon is iconic. Historically, it's one of the oldest endurance events, dating back to ancient Greek times, when it was literally a matter of life and death. Today, it's seen as a pivotal personal achievement, something to tick off your bucket list. For some, that single marathon isn’t enough – they need more and more challenges, girding themselves for the next big race.

The Mental and Physical Test

Training for a marathon is another beast altogether. Anywhere from 8 to 16 weeks of gruelling physical and mental preparation is the norm. Injuries, logistical hurdles, and travel costs are just part and parcel of this undertaking. Yet, it's the very presence of these obstacles that make the achievement worth it. The process is a journey in itself – one that tests your mental fortitude and physical limits. Overcoming adversity is a powerful motivator.

Passing the Baton

Now, I often run with my son Leo, who is 13. He’s developing a sense of resilience and tenacity that I believe will serve him well in life. When asked why he thinks people run, he mentioned fitness and the challenge itself. While fitness is a component, the drive to undertake such an extreme form of exercise goes beyond staying in shape. It’s about self-discovery and pushing one’s limits.

I also dream of running a marathon with each one of my children. That's a bucket list item for me. Leo, bless him, does it to make his old man proud and to improve his performance in other sports like football. That type of positive reinforcement is what I hope to instil in all my children.

The Ultimate Journey

So why do I run marathons? It’s the ultimate test of mind and body. It’s the journey of pushing past what you thought possible, each race another milestone in life’s endless quest for growth and fulfilment. Not only that, but it’s about the dopamine hit that comes after months of preparation, culminating in the race day, followed by a brief lull and then the itch to start all over again.

And that, my friends, is the answer we arrive at – running marathons is not just an activity; it's a transformational journey. Each event is a stepping stone in the relentless pursuit of life's next big challenge.

If you’ve enjoyed reading and want to support the mission of saving children's lives through running, please give this a like, share, and comment. The more we share the storey, the more lives we can impact. Stay positive, stay happy, and I’ll see you on the track tomorrow.

Kevin Brittain