Is it physically painful to run a marathon?

It hurts until the endorphins kick in, then you're high...marathon runners and junkies.

It depends how fit and conditioned you are.

As a rule of thumb, the less training you do, the more it's going to hurt...

I've run a couple OP, and several halfs. I would strongly recommend starting with a half and decide from there. The half was fun, the fulls were very tough. You get to that 20 mile mark and you think you're done, but you've got 6 more miles to go. As far as life changing- for me, it was more a lesson of mind over matter. Your mind will try and convince you many times to stop, that's a battle all it's own.

Thanks everyone who answered. I have run since middle school and am now in my mid 30's. Also, I suffered some tendon damage from a medication. I just thought I could train for a half marathon, and see what happens. It will probably take me 5 years to get ready. I'm not out of shape, but the blow to my tendons was bad.

Or maybe I should not do it at all lol. Just want a feeling of triumph.

My next door neighbor just did the IRONMAN 70.3 Austin, TX this past Sunday.

1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride then the balance 13.1 run.

Originally from the UK, she is in her early 40s. She finished well. And seemed calm and happy at the finish line.

Very skinny and lean, wondered how she stored the energy. Especially the cold swim which she said she experienced hypothermia during training.

I think the hardest part would be the mental part. About 4 hours in duration my brain would be full of self talk and/or hallucinating.

Yes, I want to ask runners what they think about during the hardest part of the race. I would think the brain comes up with crazy stuff to keep you going.

Never let them see you walk, walking is for the wimps and quitters.

Never let them see you walk, walking is for the wimps and quitters.

It depends

If you run seriously its extremely painful for hours on end. Like your insides are being pulled out through your mouth.

Most people don't run a marathon. They jog, prance and show off like the assholes that they are. The look at me I'm a douchebag crowd. I hate them all.

Um ya...lol, I don't care how conditioned you are...its always hard on ya afterward. Me and the hubs just did a little 5K Over the weekend. But we aren't hard core -die hard runners either. I'll run a cpl times a week to break up my workouts but nothing big.

The older I get the harder it gets.

I ran the Honolulu marathon in 2000 I lost at least 3 toe nails. Would have helped if my shoes weren't a little tight.

Here's a newsflash for you genius. Water is wet.

Well I would tell them to F off! Im lucky to be walking, period. I have to have a job where I am standing, otherwise, my legs fall apart.

What about someone who complete a marathon in under 4 hours. They are not jogging. Its quite bewildering to me why they want to do it though.

I have done a half...I was doing pretty good until I hit mile 9...At that point, my right calf muscle seized up on me. I stopped to massage the spasming muscle. It stopped spasming and I resumed my run. However, everytime I went at a pace faster than a fast walk, the spasm returned. So, I had to power walk the last 4 miles of the half.

I did some research afterward and I THINK what happened is that, although I was keeping myself hydrated, I think my sodium levels got low via perspiration...this will cause muscle spasm and cramping...if I ever do another one, I will likely bring something more like Gatorade to drink...

Physically painful indeed. This is why one Kenyan Tribe produces the world's best marathon runners. Not because of their altitude or position near the equator, but because they can withstand obscene amounts of pain. Crazy stuff.

[link to www.npr.org]

Why is running considered like a spiritual symbol or experience? Like you are some better person because you ran long enough for your toenail to fall off.

Running a marathon is awesome, no doubt, but so is listening to your body's pain signals, telling you to stop before your injuries. lol

I had a feeling running had something addicting about it.

Interesting

If you don't like muscle mass and fat, marathon training will take care of both. I like my muscle mass so I won't run more than 3 miles in a workout.


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It's only painful if the government runs a false flag event when you're trying to run your race.

4 hours is jogging. Barely twice as fast as walking. Running means as fast as you can go. Anyone that doesnt run a marathon sub three hours is a fucking douchebag and should go dance on a stripper pole.

Correct.

5k (3.2 mi) is a very healthy distance for cardio and general fitness. It can be safely done daily, even twice daily for some.

Anything over about 10k (7+ mi) to half marathon (13+ mi) and you start getting into serious muscle breakdown.

People think marathoners are "healthy". In some ways they are: You have to be in damn good cardiovascular shape just to do one.

But running the marathon itself is NOT healthy. It breaks down muscles and organs.

Mid-distance (like 5 and 10k) is where it is at for optimum fitness. Keep your muscle and organs intact!!!

LOL

Focus on running first....I just started and it kicks ass!

Marathon is a nice goal but I wouldn't start with that as your focus.After a few casual but successful runs, My mind quickly went to hill running and climbing...this is where the real challenge is.

Mindlessly cruising along at a joggers pace for 9 hours doesn't really do it for me.

There is definitely a masochistic side to it for me. Love the idea of kicking my own ass.

Well it is considered hard for a reason. If it was just a pleasant experience there wouldn't be something special about finishing a marathon.

I don't run but I have cycled a lot and when you are seriously cycling it does hurt. Your muscles burn, your ass hurts, your hands hurt, your back hurts, your neck hurts. For me it is all about the moment when I am done. That feeling is just pure bliss. Finally resting and feeling your blood flow through your body, just amazing.

you clearly don't know what you are talking about.

sub 4 hours is ridiculously fast.

good knowledge,

I always kind of wondered about that.