13 reasons why you should run a marathon

13.1094 miles in a half marathon. So are the 13.1094 reasons to run a marathon.

Following are the reasons for each mile of marathon you should run:-

Mile 1: You are crazy enough

Every person on this planet is crazy in some of the other ways. But if you are thinking to run a Marathon (13mile/21k or 16mile/42k), congratulations you are crazy enough. Yes CRAZY, but in a good way. You are different, you want to achieve something that many wouldn't even think of achieving. Just go for it and subscribe for a run.

Mile 2: It is an amazing Experience

You will understand this as soon as you reach the holding area. You will feel that rush of adrenaline throughout your body as you approach the start line and also as you see the finish line. I will always advise you to run with your name on the t-shirt. You will love when people call off your name to motivate you and help you keep running. It feels great when a group of unknown people cheer you by your name. And of course, the medal at the end of the finish line is a treat altogether.

Mile 3: It is very good for your health

It's not just about the day of the run. A bit of practice, small runs here and there every day before the race will help you build the capacity required for the final run. Which will indirectly help improve your health, lose calories, make your body lean and fit.

Here are few benefits of Running:-
1. Help to build strong bones, as it is a weight-bearing exercise.
2. Strengthen muscles.
3. Improve cardiovascular fitness.
4. Burn plenty of kilojoules.
5. Help maintain a healthy weight. 

Mile 4: It improves your Stamina

Playing any sport, working at the office, travelling, taking care of your kids, etc, whatever it might be. To keep on doing it, you need stamina. And running just helps you build that. You just need to starts and you will feel the change for yourself. You will feel fresh and lively. 

Some tips:-

Start with a small run and increase your distance and speed gradually. Keep track of your daily run. 

Set target time and distance before every run. 

Mile 5: Test of your endurance

Endurance is the ability to endure an unpleasant or difficult situation without giving up. And the marathon is just the right platform for you to test that. Marathon will help you build your persistence level and help you improve "never give up" attitude. Believe me, it will help you a lot during low times at home or at work and will give you strength to keep moving forward.

Mile 6: Test of your patience

You run and run and run yet you are not even close to the finishing line. That when your test of patience begins. And believe me, if you are going to run for the first time, this will surely happen. But you should have patience and must keep on going one step at a time slowly and steadily. 

IMPORTANT TIP:-

Keep on running or even walking sometimes but never ever, ever ever, ever! stop in between or sit during your run. It would be difficult to get going after that.

Mile 7: It rejoices mind and body

You will find a great deal of rhythm in yourself. Your mind and body will feel connected to each other. You will feel fresh and happening. You will start appreciating small things in life and will start finding happiness even in hardships and pain. Basically, you will feel happy from within.

Mile 8: Help improve your ability to focus

I remember my 1st marathon. I almost gave up after 10 miles. I could not push myself a bit further and I had to run 3 more. I remember that voice from the crowd cheering. "Come on Rohan you can do it. Come on focus." That word "FOCUS" stuck my head like a hammer. I realized that yes, it's just a mind game. I then gathered all the willpower and just kept my focus on taking the next step forward and nothing else. And just like that, steadily, step by step I finished the run. 

Once you have known few tricks in life, it is them impossible to unknow it. This is one such thing for me. Now, whatever the conditions I know how to focus on my work and get best out of it.

Mile 9: You Gain Perspective

One thing about running is you think a lot. Maybe to keep your physical tension out of focus (again focus comes). Beleive me 13miles ( 21kms/Half marathon) is a pretty long distance and you get ample amount of time to think about just everything. I remember I was thinking about my family, friends, work, was ideating on few concepts of mine and I specifically remember having the better understanding of subjects in mind. I was surely thinking from a different perspective. Maybe it would be because of physical stress, adrenaline, survival instincts, maybe heat!? I don't know. But yeah it helped me extensively.

Mile 10: You build character

You get up early at 4am to go for a run, a run for cause 'you build character'. When you are tired and you still keep on going 'you build character'. It is already getting difficult for you to keep moving forward yet you cheer another runner to keep running 'you build character'. Your body is full of pain yet you smile at the crowd cheering you 'you build character'. 

Running a marathon will make a better person in some way or the other. You will find out only once you start running.

Mile 11: Sense of Achievement

Completing 13miles or 21kms is a big achievement. Yes, it really is. It is not for faint-hearted. You will feel it while you are approaching the FINISH line. When someone is putting a medal around your neck. When people congratulate you at the finish line. When you see yourself on the big TV. When people appreciate you on social media. When you have run for a cause and fulfilled it. Even after that, you will feel lively and happy from within. All the physical pain will seem to fade away and you will have a feeling of joy and satisfaction and ACHIEVEMENT.

Mile 12: Run for a cause

I ran two half marathons myself for a cause. The cause was to help cancer children, War wounded and Hockey club with donations that I had to collect. The joy of running for those in need is tremendous. You feel proud of yourself. I feel that this is one of the best things I have done in my life. You can also run for a cause very easily. You just need to tell people about your cause for which you are raising funds and your motivation behind running. People themselves would want to contribute donations through your medium.

Mile 13: A bit of SHOW OFF

Yeah! Social media. Photos with the medal. In front of 21k or 42k boards. I am a finisher, with your time. Hashtag Hashtag! Everyone nowadays likes to do that. And there is nothing wrong in that. 

You have gone through all the above stuff I talked about, YES! you deserve a bit of attention.

Don't ever hesitate to show off after a marathon. This will make you popular for sure but also will help others to be motivated to run. It's like a chain reaction. :)

Mile 0.1094: ____________________________________

I will leave this blank for you to write me about your experiences/ Emotions/ Learnings form a marathon.

Cheers! Have a happy marathon.