running a marathon essay

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Descriptive Essay about Running a Marathon

Essays about sports are not that hard to write, especially when they are related to your personal experience. Or does it just look this way? The problem with personal experience based essays is that a student thinks that it is enough just to tell the story and completely forgets about the structure, logic of narration and, sometimes, even grammar. Help here can be found from term paper writers .

When choosing a sports major, many students mistakenly think they won’t have to write essays anymore. Though there are not too many of those, students still end asking themselves who can do my essay fast and cheap . But, essays about sports are not that hard to write, especially when they are related to your personal experience. Or does it just look this way? The problem with personal experience based essays is that a student thinks that it is enough just to tell the story and completely forgets about the structure, logic of narration and, sometimes, even grammar.

To get you closer to the idea of a successful sports essay, we’ve asked experts from a professional essay writing company Smart Writing Service to share a sample of a descriptive essay about running a marathon.

My first marathon: lessons, fails, a victory

The idea of running a marathon wasn’t too bold and unexpected for me. I’ve already finished two half-marathons the previous year, and though it was quite a challenge, I can’t say I didn’t struggle for more. I was planning to finish a marathon in less than 4 hours, which is a good time for someone like me. Those two half-marathons I ran almost without specific preparation—I run for fun, and I am active in the gym, but I didn’t use specific programs. This time I’ve decided that it is time to get closer to “professional amateur” runners.

Preparation phase

Though most of my friends use Nike or Strava apps to track running activity and create individual programs, I have chosen an application offered by Asics. Asics is not that fancy, but fully functional and free, which was a valuable factor me. I have created a four-month training plan with four running exercises each week. When I’ve seen a program, I have realized what I was doing wrong before. Running activity I had before was based on “pure running” — 5km, 10 km, the more, the better. Here I’ve realized that I need to have one long training week, with a moderate pace, one training to increase my speed, I test run, close by speed to what I want to achieve, and one “strength running workout.” And so I’ve started.

My training plan happened to be truly useful, though I should admit that I’ve not been diligent enough with what is called strength running workouts. They don’t feel like running, and it is rather irritating. It was a mistake, because, as practice proves, weak legs can’t run long enough. Looking ahead, I should admit that I’ve finished the marathon, but I will pay more attention to these apps in the future.

Starting shot. The first 10 km I run on the pulse up to 155, I am surprised to see that I run 5 min/km, which is pretty fast for me. I feel that I can add more, but I’m afraid of scary stories about hitting the wall. After 10km I eat a tube of gel. 10-20 km I’m just running in euphoria, the pulse is up to 155, the speed is still 5-5.30, nothing hurts. I eat two gels every 30 minutes. 20-30 km aching sensations in the legs begin to appear. I start being anxious. At the same time, I see that for the first 20 km, I created a normal reserve for myself in time, I ran about 5.30, although for some reason my heart rate drops to 150-152. I start adding gel every 20 min.

After 30 km, the legs become wooden. They begin to feel cracks and bumps on the pavement, which I had not noticed before. But it is at this moment that the strongest emotion comes—I’m sure that I will do a marathon! I will endure, no matter what! The only thing—I’m still afraid that my legs will fail after 35 km and follow the pace, although I try not to fall below 6 minutes. The pulse sometimes starts to go below 150. As planned, I plan to add speed after 35 km, then after 37, then after 40, but the closer the finish is, the less my desire to accelerate is.

Three hundred meters before the finish, I’m doing the finishing spurt! I probably could have done it earlier, but the finish itself was not visible, so I couldn’t plan it good enough. At the finish, I grab a medal and try to enjoy the sensation of a great deed. However, the delight at 30 km was still stronger, as it was not drowned out by the pain in my legs and an overwhelming terrible cold.

I’ve made a terrible mistake not paying enough attention to strength exercises, and if my finances allow it, I would like to work with a trainer for my next marathon. However, I can say that my decision to take part in this run made me feel very proud of myself, and now I can have bigger goals—both in sports, education, and my future career.

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Running Marathons: Understanding the Pros and Cons

Training for and running marathon is an endeavor that’ll require both physical and mental fitness. If you thought you’d just go out, get some good running shoes, and take part — we hate to break it to you, but the process leading up to the big moment itself is incredibly complex. However, if you dedicate yourself to it, the whole prep and the marathon itself can be a gratifying experience beneficial for both your body and mind.

Even if you don’t end up finishing the race, the whole effort is one ample learning opportunity. Stick with us as we explore the advantages and disadvantages of running a marathon.

Pros of Running Marathons

Did you know that over one million individuals run a marathon every year? Yes, that's right. More than a million runners train for months to participate in one of these events. But why do they do it? What are the benefits of marathon running ? Let’s give them a closer look.

Better health and fitness levels — We’ll commence with the most important perks. Running is an aerobic activity, meaning you’ll do the cardio you’ve dreaded all these years. The good news is — you’ll be improving your cardiovascular health and keeping your blood pressure levels in check. Moreover, training for a marathon requires you to be in good shape all the time, which can be challenging even for the fittest of athletes. By practicing regularly, you’ll also improve endurance and build strength.
Improved sleeping cycle — Sleep deprivation has become a common ailment for the modern generation. Lucky for you (or unfortunately, depending on how you perceive things), marathon training will drain you of energy, leaving you craving sleep.
Less stress — Speaking of modern-day challenges, stress affects us more often than it should. How we handle those situations will impact our overall well-being, both mental and physical. Certain research indicates that running is one of those activities that help us cope with stress more effectively by strengthening our mental resilience.
New perspective — There is a famous saying in the running marathon community: “The person who starts a marathon is not the same as the person who finishes a marathon.” And granted, you are bound to undergo numerous transformations, both of physical and mental nature. With marathons, there’s no “not training.” You must be diligent, even if you don’t feel like running on a Sunday morning. Once you make it, however, you’ll realize that the hard work was well worth it.
Tight-knit community — Speaking of belonging, you’ll make friends for life. Marathon enthusiasts have an entire subculture going for them. There’s a whole vocabulary you’ll get to master once you join the clique. As a side note, meeting like-minded people to whom you can divulge your troubles or successes while you're training for a marathon is invaluable.
Strong sense of achievement — Yes, running a marathon can be a lifetime feat, but finishing one is an incredible accomplishment. You may have to jump through hoops to get in shape and be able to complete one — yet once you do, you’ll be bursting with pride. Furthermore, many events are for a good cause, so you’ll also be running to support something bigger than you, making the whole endeavor all the more meaningful.
Discovering places and traveling — As you start training, you’ll begin to look for new places to run, so you’ll also get to discover some brand-new spots in your city. Who knows, the next time you run, you might find your new favorite cafe or restaurant. Moreover, those with itchy feet can always visit another city or state and take part in a marathon there.

Cons of Running Marathons

Marathons are a fantastic activity, but they’re not without flaws. Rather than jumping into things, make sure you become familiar with their flaws, too.

Time-consuming — If you’re in a time bind and won’t be able to dedicate a certain number of hours to training, then marathons might not be your cup of tea. This activity will require a commitment on your end. You can’t just decide to run a marathon one day and then do it the next. You’ll need to train a few hours every week to build endurance and ensure you can cross that finish line.
Not suitable for weight loss — If you’re going into this because you want to lose weight above everything, you might want to reconsider your decision. Namely, training for a marathon and training to lose calories simultaneously is not an ideal combination. Your body will need nutritious food to replenish itself following a running session. But if you’re on a specific dietary regime, that might not always be possible. Therefore, it’s best to focus on one objective at a time.
A toll on the body — We don't say we feel like we've just run a marathon when we're tired for no reason. When you run for prolonged periods and over long distances, your body can enter panic mode, disrupting your immune system and leading to muscle inflammation.

Ways to Prevent Injury

“How to train for a marathon? ” is a fundamental question that can make or break your entire experience. If you’re just starting out, make sure to set aside an appropriate amount of time for training (ideally six months or more) before registering for a marathon. The length of a race is crucial, too. Again, if you are a newbie, go for short distances first.

Prior to running, consult a health professional for advice — especially if you have a history of injuries or illnesses. They’ll give you the green light if they feel you’re up to the task. Train and keep track of your progress with a smart scale like Eros , which monitors up to 13 body metrics.

EROS Smart Scale

And when you finally get to run, invest in a good pair of running shoes and keep yourself hydrated.

Bottom Line

There you have it, folks — the good and the bad sides of running a marathon . Weigh both factors before making a decision. If you do choose to go for it, make sure you are well-prepared. Invite your friends and family to cheer you on, and cross that finish line feeling like the champ you are!

READ NEXT: THE CONNECTION CROSSFIT AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN WEIGHT LOSS

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26 Reasons to Run a Marathon

Physical Health Benefits
Mental Health Benefits

Benefits for Your Soul

Benefits for Personal Development

Fun Benefits

Whether you are a seasoned jogger who wants to work toward a new goal, or a novice runner who is inspired by a friend's accomplishment of winning a race, there are many personal reasons as to why you would want to train for and run in a marathon.

Sure, there are plenty of excuses not to run a 26.2-mile race. You may tell yourself it's too hard and too far. You may be scared of getting injured and don’t want to lose toenails, deal with swollen feet, or experience constant soreness, so you talk yourself out of realizing your marathon dreams. But somewhere deep down you always go back to wondering what it would be like to put the effort into training for a marathon.

Although running a marathon can be a scary and painful endeavor, training for and running a race can offer a number of benefits for the body, mind, and soul. In fact, there are many reasons why you should run. Below are 26 reasons, one for every mile you’ll run in a marathon, for why you should start training now.

Benefits for Your Physical Health

Training for a marathon has many physical health benefits for the body.

Improved overall health : Running regularly strengthens your heart by increasing your VO2 max (aerobic capacity) and helping keep your blood pressure and high cholesterol at healthy levels. It also improves your immune system and increases muscle strength. In addition, longer runs push your body to strengthen fast-twitch fibers in the muscles to combat fatigue and build strength and power.
Better sleep : Marathon training can be exhausting. Your body will crave sleep, since it repairs itself while you’re resting. You’ll find yourself getting to bed earlier and sleeping more soundly.
Better fitness : Marathon training challenges even the fittest athletes. If you’re not in good shape (or the best shape of your life) by the time you reach the starting line, your training may have been lacking.
Toned legs : Weight loss is often a goal of marathoners-in-training but, as many discover, it doesn’t always happen . Although you may not lose a lot of weight, logging all those miles will absolutely increase your lean muscle mass and tone your legs.
Guilt-free massages : Marathoners-in-training tend to get tight muscles, and regular massages can help you feel comfortable and stay injury-free. Treat yourself to a massage or two during your training to help relieve some of that tightness.
Room for extra calories : During your very long runs, you’ll be burning thousands of calories, so it’s OK to be a little indulgent after. You will be hungry , after all. You can run hard, and celebrate hard.

It’s important that you don’t assume that marathon training gives you a license to eat whatever you want, whenever you want. Running and weight loss don't always go hand in hand, so unless you're taking in fewer calories than you expend, you will not see a change on the scale. Pay careful attention to what you eat while training for a marathon to ensure you are eating for optimal performance .

Benefits for Your Mental Health

Long runs play a big role in helping you hone your mental toughness and develop a coping system to deal with running day-after-day, mile-after-mile, in tough conditions. Running a marathon will also help you reap the following benefits.

Stress reduction : Research suggests that running in times of stress helps you better handle life's challenges by increasing your mental resilience.
A new outlook : This well-known maxim says it all: “The person who starts a marathon is not the same person who finishes a marathon.” You are sure to be a different person at the finish line because you’ll forever know that you have the mental and physical strength to persevere, even during times when you think you can’t and won’t succeed.
Inspiration : Whether it’s the double-amputee wheelchair racer, the 73-year-old grandmother running her 35th marathon, or your own kids holding “We love you!” signs, you'll find some inspiration around every turn.
Improved motivation : You can’t get away with not training when it comes to a marathon, so having one on your calendar will keep you motivated to stick to your training schedule. On days when your motivation is lacking, you'll think about how you'll feel if you're undertrained, can’t finish, or have to cancel and find the strength train anyway.

Research shows that running may help alleviate symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders. Regular exercise, such as running, was found to be moderately more effective than no therapy for reducing depressive symptoms.

Running a marathon isn't just good for your body and mind, it can also help feed your soul.

Support for a good cause : Many marathons benefit charities and worthwhile causes, from disaster relief to fighting cancer. Running for something that's bigger than you is a great way to stay motivated to keep training, meet other runners to train with, and make your training and races even more meaningful.
New friends : Joining a running group is a great way to meet new, like-minded people. In fact, many runners meet their best friends or even future partners through running groups .
Stronger relationships : You can also convince a friend or family member to train for a marathon with you. Training together and traveling to the race is a fun way to bond and spend time together.
Being a role model : It’s hard not to respect someone who is dedicated and determined to complete a substantial goal such as running a marathon. You’ll be setting a great example for many people in your life.
Gestures of love : It seems like a small thing, but seeing your friends and family on the sidelines, holding a funny or inspiring sign made just for you, is an entirely different and awesome feeling. Running a marathon is definitely a sign-worthy endeavor.

When running for a charity , choose a cause that matters to you. When you choose a cause has personal significance, you are far more likely to be invested in the sometimes exhausting fundraising process. Set small, incremental goals, enlist the help of friends and family, and start early.

Benefits for Your Personal Development

Sign up for a marathon and you will instantly feel a sense of accomplishment. Start training for said marathon and you will find yourself experiencing changing and growing in many ways.

Staying busy : Training for a marathon takes up a lot of time. If you’ve gone through a recent life change that gives you some more free time, like retirement, a break-up, a job loss, or a newly empty nest, now might be the perfect time to take on the marathon challenge.
A new community : If you’ve been a casual runner up until this point, training for a marathon means that you won’t be able to avoid the runner’s subculture much longer. You’ll find yourself speaking in running acronyms and talking about running a lot.
Achieving a life-long goal : Many people have “run a marathon” on their bucket list, but few actually achieve it.
Proof you’re an athlete : OK, so proving to naysayers that you can complete an incredible physical achievement shouldn’t be the only reason you decide to train for a marathon, but it is a nice little bonus.
Confidence : Once you’ve logged a 20-miler, you’ll feel like you can conquer the world (after a post-run nap, of course). Your running confidence will surely overflow into other areas of your life, such as work and relationships.
Accomplishment. Although you’ll experience rough patches during marathon training and during the race, it’s all worth it once you cross that beautiful finish line. You’ll feel proud knowing that you set a goal of finishing a marathon and you followed through with it.

Even a bad run or race can be a teachable moment that forces you to learn something new about yourself. Although a slow or difficult run can be disheartening and frustrating, you can move forward by figuring out what went wrong and then hopping right back into your training. Down the road, it is the struggles, obstacles, and bad runs that help you become a better, more experienced runner.

Training for and running a marathon takes so much mental and physical energy that it is sometimes easy to forget how much fun you are having. But there is definitely a lot of fun to be had in the overall experience.

Travel : If you love to travel, marathon running is a great excuse to visit a new city or country. You'll get to see a lot of the local area in the race and may even be able to score discounted marathon runner rates on hotel rooms.
New running clothes : You’ll be running a lot, so you won’t be able to get away with one or two running outfits, including running shorts , unless you want to be doing laundry constantly. Picking up new running gear is a great way to reward yourself for sticking to your training.
Local discoveries : If you typically stick to shorter distances for running and racing, training for a marathon will force you to find new places to run, since you'll be running a lot and you’ll get bored with the same routes. Check out MapMyRun.com or ask local runners for suggestions on where to run.
Finisher's swag : Whether it's a medal, a shirt, or a great finishing photo, you’ll get something that’s a recognition of your achievement. You may not wear it or look at it all the time, but it'll be there when you need a tangible reminder of your running prowess.
Bragging rights : Once you cross that finish line, you’re a marathon finisher and will always be one. No one can ever take that title away from you.

Traveling to a new destination for a marathon can be a special way to experience a city or country that you have never been to before. But packing for a brand new city and a marathon can be a daunting task. Do your homework about the destination, check the weather, pack your favorite gels and race fuels, and most important of all, start considering what you need to pack the moment you sign up for that race.

Many of the physiological and mental health benefits of training for a marathon come as a result of a consistent running schedule that includes long-distance running. If you don't run that marathon you have been considering, you are less likely to include the long runs in your training. As always, be sure to first assess your fitness level before you jump into training for a marathon .

Carandente F, Montaruli A, Angeli A, Sciolia C, Roveda E, Calogiuri G. Effects of endurance and strength acute exercise on night sleep quality . Int Sportsmed J . 2011. 12(3):113-124.

Nielsen RO, Videbaek S, Hansen M, Parner ET, Rasmussen S, Langberg H. Does running with or without diet changes reduce fat mass in novice runners? A 1-year prospective study . J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2016;56(1-2):105-13.

Puterman E, Weiss J, Beauchamp MR, Mogle J, Almeida DM. Physical activity and negative affective reactivity in daily life . Health Psychol . 2017;36(12):1186-1194. doi:10.1037/hea0000532

Cooney G, Dwan K, Mead G. Exercise for depression . JAMA . 2014;311(23):2432-3. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.4930

By Christine Luff, ACE-CPT Christine knows that the right fitness gear can improve your motivation and workouts. She uses her expertise and experience as a fitness writer and personal trainer to recommend products she can stand behind.

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Why Run Marathons?

There’s a magic in the marathon, from every person who cheers to the church choir singing along the course to the running club whose members dressed in unicorn and bear costumes to give out free beer.

By Jen A. Miller

Welcome to the Running newsletter! Every Saturday morning, we email runners with news, advice and some motivation to help you get up and running. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.

When my alarm went off at 4 a.m. last Sunday, I tucked down deeper into my pile of blankets and thought, “I’d much rather not.”

It was the morning of the Philadelphia Marathon, and it would be my 10th full marathon. I ran my first, also in Philadelphia, in 2011.

In between, I’ve run dozens of 5Ks, 10Ks and half marathons, two ultramarathons and written a book about running. I’ve switched largely to running on trails now, so why would I pay $143.10 to run 26.2 miles on pavement that morning when I could have just gone out into the woods for a few hours, without a 4 a.m. wake up call, free?

Well, first, because it’s there. I live 10 miles from the start line, and I’d run a 50K six weeks before, so I was relatively sure I could cover the distance.

But second, because I have found, even in marathons that have gone horribly wrong, where my legs have turned to mud and I have limped and cried along the course with many miles still to go because I went out too fast/didn’t train enough/or my body just didn’t want to move anymore, that there’s magic in the marathon.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Running — Narrative Essay About Running

Narrative Essay About Running

Categories: Running

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Published: Mar 14, 2024

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From Identity to Inspiration: A Reading List on Why We Run

“The Running Novelist” (Haruki Murakami, The New Yorker , June 2008)

Longtime fans of the Murakami Cinematic Universe will find familiar elements here: baseball, jazz, understated prose, and non sequiturs. For a time, before Murakami became a novelist, he was the owner of a jazz club in Tokyo. In this piece, he describes how — and exactly when — he decided to write and how his early habits and commitments allowed him to do so prolifically for decades.

Running a jazz club required constant physical labor, but when Murakami started to spend more time at his desk, he started gaining weight. “This couldn’t be good for me,” he writes in a deadpan statement. “If I wanted to have a long life as a novelist, I needed to find a way to stay in shape.” Being metabolically challenged helped Murakami develop his work ethic.

Murakami drops writing advice while making parallel points about running. But the way he does it is frustratingly tantalizing — he’s not the one to share his tips openly à la Robert McKee. Murakami suggests that writing, like running, relies less on quick decision-making skills than patience and long contemplation: “Long-distance running suits my personality better, which may explain why I was able to incorporate it so smoothly into my daily life.”

Murakami calls himself a no-talent — a colossal understatement — but readers who have encountered unreliable narrators in his novels know better: We shouldn’t be so naïve as to take his words at face value.

Writers who are blessed with inborn talent can write easily, no matter what they do—or don’t do. Like water from a natural spring, the sentences just well up, and with little or no effort these writers can complete a work. Unfortunately, I don’t fall into that category. I have to pound away at a rock with a chisel and dig out a deep hole before I can locate the source of my creativity. Every time I begin a new novel, I have to dredge out another hole. But, as I’ve sustained this kind of life over many years, I’ve become quite efficient, both technically and physically, at opening those holes in the rock and locating new water veins.

Murakami doesn’t debunk the myth of an artistic genius but shows that with a sustainable routine, the genius can be prolific. If you’re reading for concrete advice on writing and a neat analogy comparing running to writing, you won’t find it here. Rather, we get something better: a portrait of the artist as a young runner.

“Why I Run: On Thoreau and the Pleasures of Not Quite Knowing Where You’re Going” (Rachel Richardson, Literary Hub , October 2022)

Don’t let the title fool you. Rachel Richardson has no unconditional praise for Thoreau; she politely defies him. In his essay “Walking,” Thoreau spoke to an audience of men as he opined on nature. To him, women were symbols — “for the splay of land on which such a free man saunters,” writes Richardson — rather than his target readers.

To read Thoreau’s essay in 2023 is to be startled by his problematic view of women and puritanical sense of “capital-N” Nature. He would not approve of the urban environment that Richardson describes while she runs: “I was born in a California he didn’t imagine, in a hospital in a town laid out with lawns and gardens.” Her piece is a bracing tonic against the writer’s anachronistic thoughts.

Richardson, like many other runners like me, was not always a runner: “How or why anyone would do this for pleasure was beyond my ability to fathom,” she thought when growing up. But in her 20s, she discovered running as a refreshingly guilt-free activity to do in a world that made her anxious. (People who started running during the pandemic, like me, might agree. Unlike going to the gym or participating in a team sport, which were risky at the time, running was easier to navigate and do on our own.)

Richardson writes that she never knows what her running route will be. But that uncertainty brings relief. Freedom. Inspiration. Running rewards runners with a sense of uncomplicated happiness and goodwill, which Richardson details in this delightful passage:

When I run, I smile and people smile back. Kids wave at me and cyclists nod as they zoom by. Other runners raise a hand of hello or, my favorite, flash a big grin. Sometimes we’re wearing the same race shirt—me too!, I point. Sometimes they’re in a zone I can’t penetrate, with their earbuds and podcast or playlist keeping them company. I still smile, even when they don’t look up. Hey, we’re out here, doing this beautiful thing. When the endorphins start kicking in, around mile three, I love everybody, even the sourest-faced walker or most oblivious group of teenagers taking up the whole trail and dropping Doritos on the ground. Nice dog!, I shout when I see a dog happily panting at her runner’s side, or You’ve got this! to the struggling jogger stumbling to the end of his route. … I am an unrepentant dork when I run.

“To Run My Best Marathon at Age 44, I Had to Outrun My Past” (Nicholas Thompson, Wired , April 2020)

I have beef with running memoirs that try to overburden the sport with dramatic insights. Not because insights can’t be found in running, but because execution without sentimentality is no easy feat. Thompson’s essay — which deals with, among many things, family relationships, parental abuse and influence, sexuality, ambition, and mortality — is a clear-eyed piece that demonstrates what can be done in the hands of a dexterous editor and writer.

I’ve read this piece many times, and like a good novel, I’m drawn to different themes every time. In my most recent read, two ideas resonated: defining one’s identity separate from one’s parents’ and identifying with one’s masculinity without being poisoned by it. It’s an all-consuming narrative that spans four generations of men in Thompson’s family.

As he would later tell me, running was the rare sport where you mostly competed against yourself. You could learn without having to lose. It was also something he hadn’t failed at in front of his father.

I sent an early version of this essay to my older sister, who saw something clearly that I hadn’t identified yet. “Running solved nothing for [Dad]. You’ve had a longer journey with it, and used it in ways that are much more productive. But I have this nagging sense that your story of needing to follow footsteps (the schools, the running) and needing so much not to follow footsteps (the overindulgence, the flameout, the irresponsibility and failure) are more complexly interwoven.

“To Invigorate Literary Mind, Start Moving Literary Feet” (Joyce Carol Oates, The New York Times , July 1999)

Whereas Murakami’s piece, detached from romanticism, was not a very effective sales pitch for running, Joyce Carol Oates’ ode to running may intrigue any writer who could use more literary imagination; she writes about running as a consciousness-expanding activity, allowing her to envision what she writes as a film or dream: “I’ve never thought of writing as the mere arrangement of words on the page but as the attempted embodiment of a vision: a complex of emotions, raw experience.”

This piece was written more than 20 years ago. Oates, one of America’s most renowned storytellers, has published more than 70 books in her literary career. For her, running certainly seems to work.

The effort of memorable art is to evoke in the reader or spectator emotions appropriate to that effort. Running is a meditation; more practicably it allows me to scroll through, in my mind’s eye, the pages I’ve just written, proofreading for errors and improvements. My method is one of continuous revision. While writing a long novel, every day I loop back to earlier sections to rewrite, in order to maintain a consistent, fluid voice. When I write the final two or three chapters of a novel, I write them simultaneously with the rewriting of the opening, so that, ideally at least, the novel is like a river uniformly flowing, each passage concurrent with all the others.

Though I can’t claim the same level of inspiration, something similar happened when I first started running. During my daily runs, I experienced breakthroughs where I felt stuck: A connective sentence or a word I’d been looking for would pop into my head. On some days, this happened so often that I needed to stop every few minutes to record it on my phone, which disrupted my run. Eventually, I learned to run with a waterproof pocket notebook in my left hand and a retractable pen in my right.

“Running in the Age of Coronavirus” (Chris Ballard, Sports Illustrated , May 2020)

The May 2020 timing of this piece on Jim Fixx, the “father of recreational running,” was wonderfully apt for pandemic-inspired runners. It was as if Chris Ballard, a seasoned sports writer, was inducting new runners into the history of the sport.

Ballard observed that more people started running during the pandemic, believing it “would in some way do them good, or make them feel better about themselves or the world, if even for a moment.” But the belief that running is good for your body and soul wasn’t always accepted wisdom but once an argument, even a radical and contrarian one.

It may sound glib to say that “running saved my life.” But for Fixx, it really did. And, in a tragic irony, it also killed him. Fixx was one of the central figures of the running boom of the ’70s and whose book, The Complete Book of Running , became “the most lucrative nonfiction title ever published by Random House,” writes Ballard. It was a hit, and the media couldn’t get enough of him. As Ballard writes, “a fad had become a craze,” and for the first time in a year, 100,000 Americans finished a marathon. The book was noteworthy not just because it was an encyclopedia of running; it heralded a certain kind of running memoir, one in which an author details their salvation by running.

Ballard writes both a pocket history guide on how running became a major sport in America and a personal history of the man who made it possible. Although this story has been told many times, Ballard’s reporting is enriched by Fixx’s journals, to which his family offered access for the first time.

After his death, the sports world changed profoundly. Running was no longer a craze, or a miracle cure. But neither did it die. Instead, it evolved. In 1977, 25,000 Americans finished marathons; By ’94, more than 300,000 did. In ’94, Oprah ran, and completed, her only marathon, spurring a boom among those who felt the feat previously unreachable. By the turn of the century, how you ran mattered as much as whether you did. Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run spurred thousands to tromp through the woods barefoot. Ultramarathons gained in popularity. Rock ’n’ roll marathon and fun run entered the lexicon. By 2011, women accounted for close to 60% of the finishers in half-marathons.

It’s not exactly a light read, so let me leave you with an irresistible detail: Fixx’s father was born a Fix but added a second x to his name. Why? He thought, “a person’s name ought to be a proper noun, not a verb.”

“What We Think About When We Run” (Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker , November 2015)

I couldn’t think of a better piece to wrap up this reading list than a meta-essay about writing on running by Kathryn Schulz who is, after all, a master of meta-writing. ( Her piece about Oxford’s “A Very Short Introduction” series is a good example.)

What do runners think about when they run? In the first part of this two-part story, Schulz looks to scientific research and lays out the uninspiring results. She writes: “Like a fair number of psychological studies, this one confirmed the obvious while simultaneously missing it.” But she continues:

Of course runners think about their route, their pace, their pain, and their environment. But what of everything else that routinely surfaces in the mind during a run? The new girlfriend, the professional dilemma, the batteries you need to remember to buy for the smoke detector, what to get your mom for her birthday, the brilliance with which Daveed Diggs plays Thomas Jefferson (if you are listening to the soundtrack to “Hamilton”), the music, the moment (if you are listening to Eminem), the Walter Mitty meanderings into alternate lives: all of this is strangely missing from Samson’s study. The British author Alan Sillitoe got it right in his 1958 short story “The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner”: “They can spy on us all day to see if we’re … doing our ‘athletics,’ but they can’t make an X-ray of our guts to find out what we’re telling ourselves.”

Then, Schulz points out, with a knowing wit, the shortcomings of contemporary writing on running. Writing about running without schmaltz — like Murakami — is no easy feat, which makes it hard for people to find books that “address the mind of the runner in descriptive rather than inspirational or aspirational terms.” You could also argue that Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run , despite being enjoyable, reads like gonzo journalism. And some running memoirs that read like redemption memoirs, such as Robin Harvie’s The Lure of Long Distances , follow the same formula.

Later, Schulz champions Poverty Creek Journal , a book by literary-critic-cum-runner Thomas Gardner, as “the only one to uncover the literary possibilities inside the terse, repetitive, normally unimaginative genre of the running log.” After reading this piece, I read this strangely profound book — it’s a mix of literary criticism, running logs, and thoughts that range from complaints to grief.

When Schulz says running logs are “terse, repetitive, normally unimaginative,” she doesn’t intend it as a criticism. Running is, admittedly, an incredibly understimulating sport to watch, so much so that I suspect even the most avid runners probably don’t sit down to watch the Boston Marathon from beginning to the end.

And here’s a pitfall of sports writing: There’s often too great a desire to imbue a grand meaning to the sport. “Life is a marathon,” goes the cliché. But the thing is, life is like a marathon. So writing about running becomes a balancing act, one in which — without sufficient craft and self-awareness — can be a challenge. But here, Schulz (and Gardner) masterfully explore the essence of running, in all its glory and tedium. A sport of contradiction indeed.

Sheon Han is a writer and programmer based in Palo Alto, California. His work has appeared in The New Yorker , The Atlantic , The New York Times Magazine , Quanta Magazine , and elsewhere. You can read his work at sheon.tk .

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My Doctors Told Me I'd Never Run Again. Then I Finished the Boston Marathon.

Unrecognizable athlete during marathon race on the road.

One of my fiercest rivals growing up was running. I was the antithesis of athletic and nothing distressed me more than mandatory miles at school.

But just over a decade ago, a friend convinced me to sign up for a race, and I caught the running bug . Soon I found myself casually running 5Ks and the occasional 10K. In 2016, I threw my name into the TCS New York City Marathon lottery, half-hoping I wouldn't score a spot. But I did, and before I knew it, I was a three-time NYC marathoner, having not only crossed the finish line in 2016, but also in 2017 and 2020 (although the finish line that year was symbolic, since the pandemic meant the race was held virtually).

Even so, my relationship to running was complex, both emotionally and physically. I never exactly liked the actual act of running. And it was never easy for me, since knee, foot, and leg issues of every kind plagued me throughout every training. Yet there was something about the thrill of racing — or maybe it was crossing finish lines — that kept me going.

While training for the United NYC Half in 2021, however, a different level of pain set in: a nagging ache on my inner left ankle, heated and sharp at times. With COVID-19 still very much present in our lives, the race was virtual that year. By the time I'd crossed the 13.1-mile marker on my self-created race route, I could barely walk.

I went to my physician, then physical therapists, podiatrists, and orthopedic surgeons (yes, multiples of each!). After a series of X-rays and an MRI, they all concurred: pounding the pavement with my extreme flatfootedness had caused posterior tibial tendonitis, a breakdown of the tendon stretching from below the foot and up the inner ankle — and I was lucky that the condition had just stopped short of my tendon snapping.

They said that it was a matter of time before an intensive surgery was required, so the only solution was to slow the progression. One podiatrist told me to throw away all the shoes in my closet; I needed aggressive arch support and would be confined to sneakers wide enough to fit custom orthotics from then on. She added that l had basically had a set number of steps left in my feet and to plan my bucket list trips right away, even with the pain, since after surgery I wouldn't be the same. Not an easy prognosis to hear for a travel journalist.

And the one thing every single doctor emphasized the loudest: no more running.

Defeated, I accepted my fate, adjusting to life in sneakers and arch-boosting orthotics. I dabbled in fitness alternatives, like spinning and swimming. Now and then, I'd cheat and run a short race. But for the greater part of 2.5 years, every step I took hurt. I learned to live with the pain, which remained a daily reminder of the doctors' warnings.

Yet somewhere in the back of my mind, I hadn't quite given up on running.

Then, at the beginning of this year, I received an invite through Westin Hotels & Resorts to run the 2024 Boston Marathon .

I chuckled. Boston is famously the ultimate runner's marathon, the world's oldest annual marathon and the most well-known of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors . In real life, even without this injury, I'd never qualify. Even if I somehow got in, surely I couldn't run alongside those high-level marathoners on the notoriously hilly course.

But here I was, with the opportunity thousands of runners would clamor for in my hands. And suddenly, I knew I'd sign up. While my perspective wasn't necessarily the healthiest, I reasoned to myself that I'd need foot surgery at some point in my life anyway. So worst case, after attempting to run Boston, I'd need it sooner — but at least I'd know I'd tried. Still, I kept my entry quiet, in case I had to drop out.

Westin set me up with a run coach, the brand's Global Run Concierge Chris Heuisler . With a bit of apprehension, I told him about my prognosis. But instead of seeing it as a roadblock, he told me to think about the marathon journey like I would a travel adventure. He reminded me that you just don't know what you'll face until you get to each point, so the only thing to do is to take it moment by moment. Throughout the weeks, I articulated every concern, from frustration with gear to lackluster runs, and of course, every bout of pain. But he had this magically emphatic way of shifting my mindset every time.

Heuisler also introduced me to the Jeff Galloway run-walk method . I'd always been a run-walker, but I'd always gone off feel rather than stick to a formal plan. Under the Galloway method, I ran for one minute, then walked for 30 seconds. This gave my foot the relief it needed from the sustained concrete pounding, but provided a steady pace.

During the early weeks of training, I put off finding a physical therapist, for fear of hearing — yet again — that I shouldn't run. But after hitting double-digit mileage, the dull pains were starting to get sharper at times, and I knew my self-curated massage sessions weren't working as proper recovery anymore.

I specifically looked for a physical therapist that was sports-focused and landed upon Pursue Physical Therapy & Performance Training in my hometown of Hoboken. I shared my entire medical history with Michael De La Cruz , PT, DPT, CNMT, COMT, CSCS, slightly embarrassed I was even considering a marathon in my condition and worried about what his reaction would be. But from the first visit, there was never any doubt in his mind that I was going to finish that race. With every progressing biweekly visit, I started to believe I could too.

By asking me to tune more deeply into how my body felt, he and his team helped uncover something that completely changed my training journey. During one visit, I made an off-the-cuff comment that sometimes my big toe feels like dead weight. From that one little clue, he began to suspect that my foot had grown accustomed to my orthotics and the muscles in the toe and my foot arch had atrophied, causing them to become limp.

After a few weeks of physical therapy aimed at restrengthening these muscles, my previously constant tendon pain was barely there. Unbelievably, as race day approached, the tendonitis was hardly a thought. Now, I had one goal: cross the finish line, even if it was dark and everyone had gone home. Realistically, based on my training times, I wouldn't make it within the six-hour time limit — if I made it at all. But I wanted to finish for myself.

On race morning, I soaked in every moment of the adventure. Marathoners often say the accomplishment is making it through training to the start line, so I tried to embody that spirit.

I was toward the back of the final wave. As I inched toward the start, things started to go awry. My Strava tracking app I relied on wouldn't start, so I stepped aside before the start line to try to fix it. When I looked up again, it looked like every other person had started the marathon.

In a panic, I sprinted across the start line. My running tights started to slip off since I had loaded the back pocket with extra energy gel packets last minute. With one hand holding my pants up and the other fussing with my phone, I was one of the last people to cross the start line of the 2024 Boston Marathon. (Ironically, start times had quite an impact on others, as the six-hour time limit begins when the last runner starts, a point of controversy this year .)

Flustered beyond belief, I troubleshooted on the go, tying up the elastic band on my pants and ditching the tracking and run-walk cues, and just ran.

I quickly learned that there's a special brand of spectator fervor along the 26.2 miles of the marathon route from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, back to Boston. Despite being in the last group, there wasn't a single patch throughout all the small towns that was silent.

Sticking to my run-walking as much as I could, the miles flew by. Then out of nowhere, muscles I hadn't thought about — above the insides of my knees — locked up. Every movement hurt. I made my way to the next medical tent. There was a wait, so I kept going, in agony with each step.

By the time I ran into Heuisler and the Westin crew waiting for me past Mile 21, I had chipmunk cheeks filled with ice I had taken from strangers to try to numb everything. I found myself screaming that the pain was "debilitating."

While there's nothing wrong with dropping out of a race for any reason, and people should prioritize their health over a need to finish at any cost, Coach Chris had guided me through 18 weeks of training; he knew me and my abilities, and in this situation, he knew exactly what to say.

He reminded me that everyone was in pain on these intense hills on this hotter-than-expected day. And most importantly, he reassured me, "You are going to finish."

With those words, something clicked. I realized how much of a group project this was. Marathoning might feel like a solo endeavor, since it was my number on the bib. But so many people had poured so much of their heart into supporting me, knowing I could get this done. Powering through wasn't just for me, it was for all of my friends and support team, and all of our impossible dreams too. Plus it didn't hurt that I had snagged an impossible reservation at my favorite Boston restaurant, the rooftop Contessa in The Newbury — just a few hours from now I could be enjoying my beloved squash carpaccio.

So I forged ahead. My head was in a different place, knowing that if I just held steady, I would become a Boston Marathon finisher.

Barely holding on, I made the famous last turns — right on Hereford and left on Boylston — saw the finish line, and burst into a sprint. Chills ran through my spine as I took that finish step across the finish, a defiant act of rebellion, especially against that throw-your-shoes-away podiatrist. I had completed the Boston Marathon fair and square, and with nearly a half hour to spare, in 5 hours, 30 minutes and 27 seconds — and never once did that left foot bother me.

Now, several months later, I'm still relatively pain-free. I'm continuing PT and gaining a better understanding of my body and how pain manifests, and I grow stronger with every appointment.

Instead of accelerating my progression toward surgery, running a full marathon led me on a journey to find both a physical therapist and run coach who I credit with curing me of what had been a lifetime sentence of pain.

Of course, I know I took a huge risk. I went into my training understanding that I was potentially prioritizing my desire to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience over my long-term well-being. I absolutely believe that everyone should listen to medical expertise and advice.

But at the same time, if something feels off, we're the only ones who can keep advocating for ourselves until we find the right team of people who will work with us and find a solution-oriented treatment, one that takes into account quality of life.

The funny thing is, I still don't exactly "like" to run. But now that a marathon helped me live life pain-free again, sometimes I find myself dreaming of more marathon medals in my future.

Rachel Chang is a travel and pop culture journalist and a magazine editor (Us Weekly senior editor, J-14 editor in chief, CosmoGIRL! entertainment editor) turned freelance writer. She's a regular contributor to Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, and has written for PS, New York Times for Kids, Wall Street Journal, Lonely Planet, and United's Hemispheres, among others.

Boston Marathon
Personal Essay

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Why Running a Marathon is the Best Metaphor for Life

In marathon running, and in life, it’s a long journey and it can be wildly unpredictable.

Lindsey (Lazarte) Carson

Runner's Life

A few years ago, comedian, Jim Gaffigan, did a skit about running the New York City Marathon and poked fun at the ridiculousness of people actually running one. As a marathoner myself, I can honestly say that I wasn’t offended at all.

In fact, I actually found it to be really funny because a lot of what he was saying is quite true.

Who are we kidding? Running isn’t for everyone.

It’s a love-hate relationship for most people, even for those who actually do love it — myself included. The magical sensation of experiencing that so-called “runner’s high” doesn’t always come to fruition for a lot of people.

For many, it feels like misery. But, no one is making you do it if you don’t want to. Plus, if you don’t enjoy doing it, then you will obviously end up hating it anyways.

Written by Lindsey (Lazarte) Carson

Writer, Runner, Mother. I write about work, relationships, culture, and life in general.

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Running events, running articles, triathlon events, cycling events, triathlon articles, cycling articles, fitness events, fitness articles, sports events, outdoor events, sports articles, nutrition articles, health & injury articles, why i run: an essay from a marathon maniac, ultramarathoner and 50 states club member.

"Why do I run?" I ask myself this same question repeatedly, especially when I am ready to give up while I am running a race. But upon crossing the finish line, my next question to myself is, "Where's my next race?"

I started running 25 years ago when I met my partner, who is an avid runner. But I didn't get serious about it at the time. First of all, I was not into sports in any sense of the word. Secondly, I disliked running because I could not catch up with my partner and I got tired easily. So why do I run? Being a long-distance runner, I will make my story long!

View the original piece as published on Racertrips.com .

The Journey From Grade School to 50th Birthday

I am an only child and was overly protected by my Catholic Mother and my Military Officer Father. I went to Catholic school, and even under the watchful eyes of the priests and nuns, I was bullied because I was short and skinny and was called a weakling. At the time, I detested every form of sports activities, and being in an all-boys school, there were plenty of sports. I could not throw a tennis ball or, what's more, a basketball. During those days, I would go home hurting from all the taunting and name calling, and I was so miserable.

Okay, let me fast forward now. I went to college and to medical school. I came to the United States, and while I was in practice as a Gastrointestinal Pathologist, I was challenged to run a 5K at the hospital where I was working. This was my turning point as a runner. In 2011, I turned 50 and decided to do something different to celebrate this milestone. I registered and trained for my first marathon, which was the Marathon du Medoc in Bordeaux, France, 400 miles south of Paris.

During the race, I cramped twice and was going to drop out. But a friend of mine reminded me that flying all the way from Chicago to Bordeaux and not even getting a medal was such a waste. That did it. I ran, and I beat the cut-off time of 5:30! I was so proud to earn my first medal. At that time I thought that was my first and last marathon.

One and Done? Not this Marathoner

But in 2013, I ran my first Chicago Marathon. I enjoyed the the race and decided to run it again in 2014. During the race, I met another runner, who later became my running buddy. We decided to run the Naperville Marathon the following weekend. The weekend after that, I ran in Middleton, WI. Then 2 weeks later, I ran my first ultra, a 50K (30 miles) race just outside of Chicago. This was the first ultra sponsored by Arctic Frog , with race director and soon-to-be-friend Rey Letada. I knew right there and then that I was hooked.

With all these races in such a short period of time, I qualified and earned my two stars with Marathon Maniacs . This is an international running group that one needs to qualify to become a member. Yes, three marathons and one ultramarathon in 5 weeks was more than enough to qualify!

To date, I have finished a total of 78 marathons/ultra marathons. As of April 15, 2019, I completed the Boston Marathon and earned my Sixth Star for the Abbott World Marathon Majors . Along the way, I also qualified to be a member of the 50 States Marathon Club . I am one state away from completing a marathon in all 50 states and am 10 states into my second round of 50 states.

What Does the Future Hold?

What else is in store for me? This year, I'm going to earn my medal for completing a marathon in all 50 states, and I have a very ambitious goal to complete 100 marathons by the end of the year. I also have four more continents to run in. Will that be it? Maybe. Maybe not. We will have to see...

So going back to the question, "Why do I run?" In my journey as a marathoner, it has been an adventure and a thrill to see our beautiful country in a different perspective. But the best part of running is the solitude of being alone while I am training and while I am racing. Running has become my "zen," my peaceful space and my form of meditation. In addition, being an avid cook and a foodie, running keeps me fit and healthy. Furthermore, I met some of my best friends through my races all over the country and the world. Now, you all know why I run.

Why Do You Run? If you would like to share your story with the Racertrips community, email [email protected] to find out how.

READ THIS NEXT: How This Runner Went From OCD to the BYC Marathon

Jose Maria H. Gabriel, MD Gaby ran his first marathon at age 50 in Bordeaux, France, and has since finished more than 78 marathons/ultra marathons. He's a qualifying member in both Marathon Maniacs and the 50 States Marathon Club . In 2019, he ran the Boston Marathon to earn his Sixth Star for the Abbott World Marathon Majors . He's also one state away from finishing a marathon in all 50 states and has set an ambitious goal to complete 100 marathons by the end of 2019. Gaby is a Brand Ambassador for Racertrips, Nuun Energy , Marathon Maniacs (Illinois and Chicago) and XOSKIN Running Apparel .

Reading and Writing: Emerson
Is Running a Religion?
Running into Old Age
A Million Stories

Marathon: Reaching or Grooving

A Legend in Your Own Mind
Boston Finish
“You Let a Girl Beat You?”
“Did I Win?”
The Marathon: Stage for Heroism
20 Running Tips For Every Runner to Know
Each of us is an expert in the self—1989
Training: More or Less
The Orthotic
Chest Pain: Wolf or Lamb
Exercise-Induced Asthma
Dial "C" for Comfortable — 1991
A Letter from the Sheehan Family
Sheehan Classic Race

“Reach for what you cannot.”

You may have seen my name in the Shore Marathon summaries on Monday. It was there in the agate under “Other area finishers”; 69, George Sheehan, Shore A.C., 3:18:32. Not bad, you might think. Not bad for place, with 235 starters. Not bad for time, about midway between my best(3:02) and my worst (3:33) serious efforts. You might think that. And you would be wrong. Because it was a marathon without tears, without pain, without distinction. It was a marathon that I am ashamed of, a marathon I would like to forget. It was a marathon that proved there is a point where prudence becomes timidity, where caution becomes cowardice, where respect becomes fear. The 26.22-mile distance tends to make all runners prudent, cautious and respectful. “Anyone,” said the great Percy Cerutty, “can run twenty miles, but only a few can run the marathon.” That extra six miles changes the game from penny ante to table stakes. Your entire physical bankroll can dissolve in a matter of minutes.

Disaster Awaits? We are not quite sure why this happens. Some physiologists suggest that at 20 miles the body exhausts its available sugar supplies and must switch over to another form of energy metabolism. Maybe so, but whatever the cause the runner knows that however he feels at any particular stage of the race, disaster may be waiting for him at the 20-mile mark. This makes marathoning a chancy and risky business where the initial pace can be all decisive. Too slow and you have a poor time: too fast and you may not finish. So those even more timid sometimes use the first seven miles to warm up and thus change the marathon into an ordinary twenty mile road run.

That is just what I inexcusably did. I had the mileage to go all out. Long runs with my Shore A.C. friends, meet director Tom Baum, teacher Gene Minor, psychiatrist Paul Kiell and Pat Barrett, the Monmouth College freshman. And a fast ( 62 minutes) ten miler the week before when I beat them all. But within a mile after the start of the marathon the quartet were minutes ahead of me and my warmup pace. A pace I kept at not for just seven miles but the entire outward leg of 13.1 miles.

A mile and a half from the turnaround point they passed me going the other direction heading for home. Three miles and 24 minutes ahead of me they were giving the race and the course and the weather (it was a perfect 40 degrees and little wind) all they had. They had accepted the challenge. They were making themselves vulnerable, opening themselves to the possibility of a great achievement or a wipeout.

Meanwhile I was sliding. That's what Ed Gentry, the get-through-the-day-man in James Dickey’s “Deliverance” called it. “Sliding is living antifriction.” He said, “It is finding a modest thing you can do, and then greasing that thing. It is grooving with comfort.”

But even groovers and sliders sometimes get religion. I did at the halfway point. The fact that I was in 154th place may have helped a little. Provided some additional incentive. But whatever, I set out at full throttle for my colleagues up ahead. I went through Sea Bright like the Blue Comet and hightailed through Long Branch passing seven or eight runners each mile. With five miles to go I caught the struggling Kiell (who was to finish in his best ever time and qualify for Boston) and a quarter mile from home passed Minor now walking Up ahead Baum had finished in a 3:03 and Pat Barrett had become the tenth fastest women marathoner in the world with a 3:04.

Niceties at Finish The people at the finish line said some nice things to me. The time wasn…rsquo;'t all that bad and I had run a helluva last 13.1 miles. But I knew where I should have been. Up with Baum and Barrett or walking. I had chosen the middle way, the way of the lukewarm. And afterwards when there were awards for almost everybody, I didn't wait around. I wanted to memento of that race.

On the way home I recalled a Nikos Kazantzakis in “Report To Greco” asking his grandfather’s ghost for a command. His grandfather answered, “Reach what you can, my child.” But Kazantzakis refused that command and asked for a more difficult, “more Cretan” command. The ghost then thundered, “Reach for what you cannot.”

I may put that slogan on my running shirt. If there is a better rule for the marathoner, I have yet to hear it. If you try to be all you can be, you have to expect a failure from time to time. Finding the limits of your ability will most certainly end eventually in a walk to the finish line. Which is why you can never tell from the agate who is a failure and who is a success; who is simply out there grooving and who is reaching what he cannot; who is a twenty miler and who is a marathoner. Only God and the runner knows that.

Essay on Running

Students are often asked to write an essay on Running in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Running

The joy of running.

Running is a simple yet powerful activity that can bring both physical and mental benefits. It’s a universal exercise that anyone can do, anywhere, anytime.

Physical Benefits

Running helps to strengthen muscles, improve cardiovascular fitness, and maintain a healthy weight. Regular running can also boost your immune system and increase longevity.

Mental Benefits

Running can help reduce stress and improve mood. It releases endorphins, often known as ‘happy hormones’, which can make you feel more positive and energetic.

Running and Friendship

Running can also be a social activity. Joining a running club or participating in races can help you make new friends.

250 Words Essay on Running

The essence of running.

Running is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that strengthens the heart, reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes, and helps maintain a healthy weight. It also improves bone health, reducing the risk of osteoporosis, and enhances muscular strength and endurance.

Mental and Emotional Impact

Beyond the physical, running has profound mental and emotional implications. It is known to release endorphins, often referred to as ‘runner’s high’, leading to improved mood and reduced stress levels. It also fosters mental resilience as runners learn to push through discomfort and fatigue, skills transferable to other life challenges.

Social and Environmental Connection

Running fosters a sense of community, with runners often forming close-knit groups. These communities provide support, motivation, and camaraderie, enriching the running experience. Running also deepens our connection with the environment as it often takes place outdoors, providing an opportunity to appreciate nature’s beauty.

In essence, running is more than just a form of exercise; it is a holistic activity that promotes physical health, mental resilience, emotional wellbeing, and social connection. It encourages us to push beyond our limits, to explore our potential, and to appreciate the world around us. The beauty of running lies not in the finish line, but in the journey itself.

500 Words Essay on Running

Running, a fundamental human activity, is a complex interaction between the mind and body. It is an exercise that transcends the physical realm, providing mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits. It is not merely a form of physical exercise; it is a metaphor for life, embodying resilience, endurance, and the pursuit of goals.

Running and Physical Health

Running and mental well-being.

Beyond the physical benefits, running has profound effects on mental health. It acts as a stress reliever, providing an outlet for pent-up emotions and frustrations. The release of endorphins during running induces a sense of euphoria, often referred to as the “runner’s high.” This mental state can help combat depression and anxiety, promoting a sense of calm and well-being.

Running as a Social Activity

Running can also serve as a social activity. Joining running clubs or participating in marathons fosters a sense of community and camaraderie. It encourages teamwork and cooperation, promoting mutual support and shared achievement. This social aspect of running can help individuals feel more connected and less isolated, enhancing their sense of belonging and social well-being.

Running as a Life Metaphor

Running and mindfulness.

Running fosters mindfulness, a state of active, open attention to the present. The rhythmic pattern of footfalls, the sensation of the wind against the skin, the rhythmic breathing – all these elements bring the runner into the present moment, away from the worries of the past or the future. This mindful state can promote mental clarity, emotional balance, and a deeper understanding of oneself.

The Future of Running

The future of running is promising, with advances in technology providing new avenues for enhancing running experiences. Innovations like wearables and running apps provide runners with detailed feedback on their performance, helping them optimize their runs. Virtual races and augmented reality apps are transforming the running landscape, making it more engaging and accessible.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Running My First Marathon Was Absolutely Brutal—and I Can't Wait to Do It Again

Blood, sweat, and almost pissing myself be damned.

AFTER 18 SWEATY , HEART-POUNDING MILES into the grueling 26.2 of the TCS 2022 New York Marathon,I felt a pop. Putting weight on my already injured left ankle was suddenly impossible, and for a brief second my mind went into panic mode. But, luckily, there’s an emphasis on that word brief . I was going to finish what I started. I don't care if I had to crawl on my hands and knees all night—I was going to finish the marathon.

I knew I started too fast coming out of the gate. After suffering a tendon injury in my ankle mid-marathon training that required me to sport a less-than-stylish boot (goddamn you, clear office coffee table), I was fully aware that the distance ahead wasn’t going to be a cake walk. I didn’t give it the proper time to heal, and the environment’s natural elements—unseasonably high temperatures and sticky humidity—had clearly become an obstacle that all 50,000 runners that day (myself included!) didn't exactly wish for.

But despite all of that, when the starting gun went off, it was still my very first marathon; I couldn’t help but give in to the immediate rush of adrenaline. By mile four, I was in the thick of it, keeping a decent 8:45 pace (I was aiming to stay around 9:15, but I was trying to impress a crowd of strangers) while taking in my surroundings. I’d initially planned to keep my AirPod Pros out until mile six to conserve battery, but the roars from the overflowing New York City sidewalks were better than any song’s beat. My name was written in neon pink tape across my tank top, and random person after person didn’t hesitate to scream it aloud as if they knew me on a deeply personal level. The camaraderie went on for hours, juicing me up when I started to feel as though my energy chews weren’t doing their job. But with each corner turned and avenue passed, over all the noise, I kept repeating the same thing over and over: You can do this . You have people out here waiting for you. Get it done. But to be honest, I wasn’t sure if I would.

Like many people, my running journey began in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Athletics was never something I had the desire to pursue—I was a theater kid who attempted to be a semi-professional dancer for a few years after college, but it’s not like that required me to master the art of a perfect spiral or a 3-pointer. I’d never run more than a casual five or so miles, but some friends decided the 2020 RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon would be a fun outing as a group. As you can guess, said half marathon was postponed indefinitely when the pandemic hit. My training, however, continued on.

Consistently training—jogging through the streets of Astoria, Queens masked, sometimes over the Queensboro Bridge to Central Park—allowed me to increase my mileage every week as if gearing up for the race I’d initially registered for. When that day came, I followed through, running from Queens to Brooklyn and into Manhattan, not stopping until my Strava app told me I’d hit my very own unofficial 13.1 finish line. After that, running just felt like second nature. I completed race after race, breaking personal records and turning my average half marathon pace from a 10:30 to a 7:25. I might not have been able to bench press 200 pounds, but I felt like I was good at this whole running thing. I could run, and probably outrun a lot of people. And no one could take that away from me.

The 50th TCS New York City Marathon returned to action on November 7, 2021 (albeit with a smaller pool of runners than usual). I’ve described this day to friends as “straight Pride,” just without the display of rainbow, glitter, and tasteful nudity. I’d made it a point to block off the marathon date in my calendar, understanding how much cheering as a spectator acts as fuel for a runner when the tank is running on empty. Pressed against the metal barrier, my friend Ana and I screamed as loudly as we could, shedding more than a few tears over the course of our time out there. I’d already qualified for the 2023 New York City Marathon through their 9+1 program, but something about this one lit a scalding hot fire in me. I didn’t know if I could wait a full year to get on those streets. I needed to run the marathon now.

And a year later, I was doing exactly that. Except my goal of under four hours was slowly slipping away, and I didn’t know what to do about it. My Apple Watch Ultra kept alerting me to a dangerously high heart rate, and despite stopping at every fluid station, my body just refused cool down. Beginning an insufferably long uphill bridge climb that came about around mile 15, my body suddenly began to tingle from head to toe. Battling the feeling of needles, as an ambulance drove back and forth to see if anyone needed emergency assistance, I began to wonder if asking for medical would be the right call. I didn’t want to collapse on this run; death wasn’t exactly my plan when I signed up. Then again, neither was failure.

But what truly kept me going despite the fear of falling over was my friends. My support system. I knew they were spread all across 1st Avenue the second I rounded the sharp corner off that bridge. They were there for me, and as much as I was running this marathon for myself, the last thing I wanted to do was let them down.

They let out deafening roars as I passed, holding up handmade signs with the most outrageous sayings (“You’re the biggest bully in Hollywood,” a reference to a line thrown out by icon Kathy Hilton during the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 12 reunion, was my personal favorite). I grinned and beared it, refusing to let them know that, quite frankly, this was the fucking hardest thing I’d ever done in my life. As I continued the trek, leaving them behind with no knowledge of anyone other support system along the remainder of the route, it was almost as if my body knew that was the moment to give out.

My weak ankle just couldn’t take it, and I lost my balance as the pain became unbearable. On top of that, cramps began to creep up my thigh, and there was a moment where I thought “This is it. You tried your hardest, but you’re done here.” But that thought came and went faster than I could have ever expected. Instead, I kept going. People on the streets quickly tossed bottles of water and bananas my way for a quick potassium boost. I’ll never be able to thank them for being so generous, but I just knew that they wanted me to get to the end almost as much as I did. And with a new mindset, I hobbled my way for 3 miles, popping some Advil I happened to bring along the way. Some quick calculations on my phone’s calculator (doing math was not part of my plan either, especially since I failed it in high school) said if I kept this pace, I’d finish much later than I’d wanted—but that didn’t matter anymore.

Crossing over into the Bronx, my trusty OTC anti-inflammatory started working its magic. Taking that stroll to manage my pain levels allowed me to surpass the infamous mile 20 “wall” that runners inevitably hit head first. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the moment when a light drizzle began, the universe serendipitously cooling down anyone (again, myself included) who might have needed it. This was when I began to run again, albeit at a slower, 10:30 pace. I was moving and grooving block by block, to where I needed to be. And after entering Central Park, I just knew . That finish line was close.

AAt 4 hours, 37 minutes, and 55 seconds, I finished the 51st TCS New York City Marathon. I tried my best to look up at the cameramen perched above, set to capture this incredible feat in real time, but I was busy blacking out in complete utter disbelief. I was now 1 of the 0.01% who’ve completed this distance, and I just couldn’t believe it. When I do something, I’m committed. Sure, I may procrastinate and find excuses that’ll delay my progress, but I know how to get shit done. And I just completed something I truly never in my wildest dreams imagined I’d be able to check off my unraveled scroll-length bucket list.

I kept rubbing the medal around my neck, reading its text over and over again as I made the unfortunately ridiculous walk up and out of Central Park. My legs wobbled, but felt sturdy enough to reach my parents, who were waiting at the family reunion area. I stopped for a photo along the way at one of the many step-and-repeats available, wiping my forehead and cheesing for the cameraman as he snapped away. “Congratulations man, you ran a marathon!” he said after I thanked him for the photo.

That’s when it really hit me. Like a slap across the face, I perked up and realized that I just ran a marathon. And ya know what?

I think I’ll do another one.

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Suffolk shouldn't rush to rebuild two failed dams

Heavy rains led to the collapse of the Mill Pond Dam in Stony Brook, washing away the rear of this home on Main Street, shown Aug. 21. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas

This guest essay reflects the views of Enrico Nardone and John Turner, executive director and senior conservation policy advocate, respectively at the Seatuck Environmental Association, a nonprofit dedicated to conserving Long Island wildlife and the environment.

The dam failures that occurred in Blydenburgh County Park and Stony Brook last month were a sobering reminder of the mounting impacts of our changing climate. In the wake of the storm’s devastation, calls to quickly repair the dams are understandable; the lost ponds were valued community resources that have been part of the landscape for hundreds of years.

However, we urge public officials to carefully weigh all factors before deciding on a path forward. While there may sometimes be unique justifications to rebuild dams, there are generally strong reasons — fiscal, resilience and ecological — to instead allow the streams to return to their natural free-flowing state.

In most cases, the broadest public interest is served by letting streams run free.

Regarding fiscal impacts, the cost of rebuilding and maintaining a dam greatly exceeds the cost of letting the stream flow. Dams — originally built to power gristmills, harvest ice, grow cranberries, etc. — create silt in which grows submerged aquatic vegetation, requiring ongoing costs to maintain open water, pond views, and opportunities for boating and fishing. Such efforts, which usually involve dredging or herbicides, are expensive and rarely more than temporary "solutions."

In terms of resiliency, healthy waterways are more able to adapt and support resilient landscapes and communities. This includes withstanding storms that a changing climate will increasingly bring to Long Island. Put simply, naturally flowing streams are more resilient than those that are dammed and constrained. These streams and their associated wetlands and floodplains are "natural infrastructure" that provide cost-effective resiliency by capturing, retaining, and filtering stormwater and modulating floods.

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Dams, by their very nature, create resiliency risks by impounding millions of gallons of water upstream from homes, businesses and public infrastructure. The risk of dam failure and the high cost of guarding against it is a major reason dams have been coming down across the country. Long Island’s relatively small dams generally don’t rise to the level of being considered "high-hazard," but our recent experience might change the way we think about the risk.

From an ecological perspective, there are rarely good reasons for repairing failed dams. Before Long Island’s waterways were dammed to form mill ponds, they flowed freely for thousands of years. These streams were an integral part of our coastal ecosystem, providing a critical avenue for the movement of sediments, nutrients and wildlife between fresh and saltwater. Significantly, dams block the movement of migratory fish, including alewife and American eel, that provide important forage for a wide range of species, from whales to osprey to striped bass. Dams create warm-water habitat that favors nonnative species, and degrade the overall ecological health of rivers and streams.

While a failed dam initially leaves a muddy mess, it doesn’t last long. Within months, as the pond basin dries, the natural restoration process commences. Native plants grow and form a riparian meadow that buzzes with the activity of insects and birds. Invasive species sometimes have to be managed, but if left alone such sites eventually become native riparian forests. These woodlands provide important wildlife habitat, fight climate change by sequestering carbon, and increase resiliency by buffering winds and holding on to soils.

Rebuilding failed dams may occasionally make sense, but in most cases allowing rivers and streams to revert to their natural state will help make the region and its coastal ecosystem more healthy, resilient and sustainable.

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Seager's 200th career homer puts him in a class by himself

Slugger becomes first left-handed-hitting ss to reach milestone as rangers sweep white sox.

Tim Stebbins

CHICAGO -- Corey Seager has long been established as one of the best shortstops in the Major Leagues. But on Thursday afternoon, he set a new precedent for greatness at the position.

Seager crushed his 200th career home run, a Statcast-projected 406-foot blast to right, in the fourth inning of the Rangers’ 2-1 win over the White Sox that completed the three-game sweep at Guaranteed Rate Field. He became the first purely left-handed-hitting shortstop (excluding switch-hitters) in Major League history to hit 200 home runs and the 15th shortstop overall to do so.

“We’re so grateful just to be able to watch him play every day and [for] everything that he does on a day-in and day-out basis at the plate, and the power he has,” starter Nathan Eovaldi said.

Seager’s milestone accounts for those who played shortstop in at least 50 percent of their career games. He joined the Mets’ Francisco Lindor (243 career homers) and Rangers teammate Marcus Semien (233) as the only active players on the list.

Of course, Semien is now Seager’s double-play partner as Texas’ second baseman. The Rangers signed the middle-infield duo to multi-year free-agent contracts on the same day: Dec. 1, 2021.

“We knew coming into free agency we had a chance to collectively hit a lot of home runs,” Semien said. “You just want to help the team win. Obviously, one swing of the bat today was the difference. I think he's going to do a lot more damage in years in the future, too.”

The home run on Thursday also was Seager’s 11th this month and 30th this season. He has hit at least 30 home runs in each of his three seasons with the Rangers, including a career-high 33 in both 2022 and ‘23.

“Just putting good swings on balls and trying to put myself in good positions, with a little bit of luck involved too,” Seager said of his torrid stretch this month.

Seager may not have been giving himself enough credit.

“We’re talking about one of the best hitters in the game,” manager Bruce Bochy said earlier this week when asked of Seager’s looming milestone. “We’re talking about a very gifted player who can do some amazing things with the bat, especially on the slugging side, even the hitting side. … He’s got a lot more in there, too. Trust me.”

With the Dodgers from 2015-21, Seager won the National League Rookie of the Year Award (‘16), was a two-time All-Star (‘16 and ‘17), won two Silver Slugger Awards (‘16 and ‘17) and was World Series MVP (‘20). But he has taken his power game to a new level as a Ranger. Seager hit 104 homers in 636 games with Los Angeles, and he has hit 96 homers in 390 games with Texas.

“We all try to improve. We try to get better,” Bochy said this week. “As I’ve said many times, you never think that you arrive as a hitter, and he certainly doesn’t think like that. Every day you see him, he comes in here, and he works hard to prepare for that game.

“He's just gotten better. He's got a simple swing, a short swing, and he has incredible talent to get the barrel to the ball.”

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Seager’s homer was the Rangers’ first hit off of White Sox starter Nick Nastrini on Thursday. It was plenty of run support for Eovaldi, who allowed just one hit and two walks in seven scoreless innings. He struck out 10 batters, tied for a season high (on July 24, also against the White Sox).

Eovaldi faced one batter over the minimum through three innings after he walked Korey Lee with two outs in the second. He allowed a leadoff single to Gavin Sheets in the fifth but erased that when Lee then grounded into a 5-4-3 double play. Eovaldi worked around a one-out walk by Andrew Benintendi in the seventh by striking out Andrew Vaughn and Sheets, marking the end of his day. He threw 96 pitches (69 strikes).

Eovaldi’s four-seam fastball averaged 96.2 mph and maxed at 98.1 mph on Thursday, an uptick from his season average of 95.5 mph. He got six whiffs on 14 swings against it, and recorded six of his 10 strikeouts with the heater.

“I felt like I could locate it really well,” Eovaldi said. “I didn't feel like I had as many misses across the plate as I have in the past. I felt like I had good action with my cutter as well. I feel like if I’m locating my fastball, then my offspeed pitches are going to be working.”

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Washington Nationals Rookie Made Team History with First Home Run on Wednesday

Brady farkas | 12 hours ago.

Washington Nationals center fielder Dylan Crews (3) prepares for an at bat against the New York Yankees during the second inning at Nationals Park on Aug 27.

Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals rookie outfielder Dylan Crews hit his first career home run on Wednesday night as the Nats beat the New York Yankees 5-2.

Crews's first home run was actually a leadoff shot in the bottom of the first inning. It came off Yankees lefty Carlos Rodon.

With the blast, Crews joined a rare group in franchise history.

Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

leadoff HR for first career HR, Nationals/Expos franchise history: Today Dylan Crews 6/3/12 Steve Lombardozzi 8/24/95 F.P. Santangelo 5/7/90 Delino DeShields 10/3/85 Fred Manrique 6/30/85 Mitch Webster 9/8/75 Jerry White 5/11/71 Boots Day

leadoff HR for first career HR, Nationals/Expos franchise history: Today Dylan Crews 6/3/12 Steve Lombardozzi 8/24/95 F.P. Santangelo 5/7/90 Delino DeShields 10/3/85 Fred Manrique 6/30/85 Mitch Webster 9/8/75 Jerry White 5/11/71 Boots Day https://t.co/ZpZzl0G0yL — Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 28, 2024

This was just the third game for Crews, who was the No. 2 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. He was called up on Monday. He went 2-for-4 on the night and is hitting .364 (4-for-11) in that limited action.

He helped LSU win a national title last season alongside Paul Skenes and is currently ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the game. He is only behind Jackson Holliday (Baltimore Orioles) and Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays).

The following comes from his MLB.com prospect profile:

Crews thrust himself into the conversation as the top talent in the 2023 Draft on the strength of his improved plate discipline in college, rarely going outside the zone while teeing off on the pitches he could drive (particularly fastballs). He struggled a little more with offspeed stuff on the pro side, but his ability to adjust during his time as LSU speaks well to his chances of improvement in his first full season and beyond. Batting from a well-coiled right-handed stance, Crews packs at least plus power in his 6-foot frame.

He was hitting .270 this year between Double-A and Triple-A. He had a .342 on-base percentage, hitting 13 homers and bringing in 68 over 100 minor league games.

With Crews and James Wood, the Nationals are looking to get over the sting of losing Bryce Harper and Juan Soto in recent years.

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BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady.

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COMMENTS

A Personal Essay on Running a Marathon and Motivation
What happened during the 26.2 miles of the 2021 Chicago Marathon made me a better runner and person — even if it was my worst marathon time yet.
Descriptive Essay about Running a Marathon
Marathon. Starting shot. The first 10 km I run on the pulse up to 155, I am surprised to see that I run 5 min/km, which is pretty fast for me. I feel that I can add more, but I'm afraid of scary stories about hitting the wall. After 10km I eat a tube of gel. 10-20 km I'm just running in euphoria, the pulse is up to 155, the speed is still 5 ...
26.2 Life Lessons I Learned from Running Marathons
Here are 26.2 life lessons I've learned from running marathons. 1. It's a marathon, not a sprint. People are fond of saying this, but until you've run a marathon you don't really know what ...
Running Marathons: Understanding the Pros and Cons
Better health and fitness levels — We'll commence with the most important perks. Running is an aerobic activity, meaning you'll do the cardio you've dreaded all these years. The good news is — you'll be improving your cardiovascular health and keeping your blood pressure levels in check. Moreover, training for a marathon requires ...
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Then revise them out with images that are fresher and more specific. Be aware that often writing can go bad when it looks like creative writing; when you see the effort of reaching for description ...
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Training for a marathon has many physical health benefits for the body. Improved overall health: Running regularly strengthens your heart by increasing your VO2 max (aerobic capacity) and helping keep your blood pressure and high cholesterol at healthy levels. It also improves your immune system and increases muscle strength.
Why do people run marathons?
In 2018, the number of worldwide marathon finishers was estimated to be 1,298,725. The most obvious reasons why people run them are the positive health and mental wellbeing effects. While some ...
Why Run Marathons?
With a marathon, that magic comes from every person who cheered me on because they know me, and every person who cheered me on because they don't. It comes from the running club whose members ...
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Running is not just a physical activity; it is a journey of self-discovery, perseverance, and growth. As the pounding of my feet against the pavement echoes in rhythm with the beating of my heart, I am transported to a place where my mind is free to wander and my spirit is liberated. In this narrative essay, I will delve into the profound ...
Marathon Essay
Running a marathon at only 17 years old taught me that the strongest supplements a person needs are determination and motivation. The largest development of mindset and the confirmation of my future career came from when I chose to vicariously run 26.2 miles for the person who inspires me the most; my mother.
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A full marathon entails you to run for 26 miles which can obviously take a …show more content…. When you run, your body temperature increases which help inhibit the growth of bacteria in your body. Running also hastens the circulation of the body's protective cells throughout the body enabling your immune system to fend off viruses and ...
it's finally in the bag! my marathon experience
Today is November 19th, 2018 - aka, the day AFTER my first marathon! I ran Philadelphia's 26.2 miler yesterday, and I'm still in shock and awe that it's finally over and I actually did it. It's difficult to describe the complicated mix of emotions I feel - overwhelm, triumph, a little bit of nostalgia for the journey (but only a little ...
Descriptive Essay On Running A Marathon
This essay should have informed you about: perfect form, breathing techniques, how to eat, the events in track and field, some simple warm ups you could do, and some different tips and tricks to help you run. Hope it helped to inform. Read More. Imagine you're running a marathon. Okay, maybe not a marathon since that takes a ton of ...
George Sheehan
World-class runners approach the marathon with trepidation. Olympians fail to finish. Record holders collapse. This contest has consequences in pain and exhaustion unrivaled in sport. And all the more so because this agony is self-inflicted. The end of the marathon-and the end of heroism-is always just one step away.
From Identity to Inspiration: A Reading List on Why We Run
Running is a sport of contradiction. Finishing a marathon is at once extraordinary and unremarkable: Running 26.2 miles is an exceptional achievement, but it's also one that 1.1 million people complete every year. In running, themes of life and death coexist. On one hand, it's a celebration of what the human body can do and achieve.
How Training For a Marathon Cured My Foot Pain
Under the Galloway method, I ran for one minute, then walked for 30 seconds. This gave my foot the relief it needed from the sustained concrete pounding, but provided a steady pace. During the ...
Why Running a Marathon is the Best Metaphor for Life
Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash. A few years ago, comedian, Jim Gaffigan, did a skit about running the New York City Marathon and poked fun at the ridiculousness of people actually running one.
Why I Run: An Essay from a Marathon Maniac, Ultramarathoner ...
He's a qualifying member in both Marathon Maniacs and the 50 States Marathon Club. In 2019, he ran the Boston Marathon to earn his Sixth Star for the Abbott World Marathon Majors. He's also one state away from finishing a marathon in all 50 states and has set an ambitious goal to complete 100 marathons by the end of 2019.
George Sheehan
It was a marathon that proved there is a point where prudence becomes timidity, where caution becomes cowardice, where respect becomes fear. The 26.22-mile distance tends to make all runners prudent, cautious and respectful. "Anyone," said the great Percy Cerutty, "can run twenty miles, but only a few can run the marathon."
Personal Narrative Essay: Running A Marathon
Personal Narrative Essay: Running A Marathon. When I first met the man that would become my husband, I told him that there was something that he needed to know about me. "I don't jump", I said. "I don't throw, hit, or catch and I definitely, definitely don't run". It was important for me to tell him this, as this meant that at ...
Personal Narrative: Running A Marathon
Personal Narrative: Running A Marathon. "Okay, I can do this. I can run this 26.2 mile long race.". This was what I had been telling myself since the start of the week in preparation for my marathon — which was happening today. The reason why I decided I wanted to run a marathon was because of the influence of my sister.
100 Words Essay on Running
250 Words Essay on Running The Essence of Running. Running, often regarded as a simple physical activity, is a complex interplay of mind, body, and spirit. It is a universal language that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries, serving as a metaphor for life's journey, filled with challenges, victories, and personal growth. Physical ...
I Just Ran A Marathon For The First Time
AFTER 18 SWEATY, HEART-POUNDING MILES into the grueling 26.2 of the TCS 2022 New York Marathon,I felt a pop. Putting weight on my already injured left ankle was suddenly impossible, and for a ...
Virtual Race
Best Buddies International, Inc. | Friendships, Jobs, Leadership, Living & Family. runDisney is pleased to donate to Best Buddies in Central Florida in honor of the runDisney Virtual Love on the Run 14-Miler.Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated ...
Harris explains in exclusive CNN interview why she's shifted her
Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday offered her most expansive explanation to date on why she's changed some of her positions on fracking and immigration, telling CNN's Dana Bash her ...
Julio Rodríguez's two-run home run (12)
Julio Rodríguez hits a two-run home run to left field, extending the Mariners' lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the 5th inning. News. Rule Changes Probable Pitchers Starting Lineups Transactions Injury Report World Baseball Classic MLB Draft All-Star Game MLB Life MLB Pipeline Postseason History Podcasts. Watch. Video Search Statcast MLB Network ...
Suffolk shouldn't rush to rebuild two failed dams
Opinion Commentary Guest Essays Suffolk shouldn't rush to rebuild two failed dams Heavy rains led to the collapse of the Mill Pond Dam in Stony Brook, washing away the rear of this home on Main ...
Jackson Chourio starts Brewers' rally in win over Giants
Brewers left fielder Jackson Chourio continued to surge toward the finish of a sensational rookie season by delivering the fifth-inning single that not only scored the first run of Milwaukee's 5-3 win over the Giants at American Family Field on Wednesday, but also opened the door to a five-run inning.
Corey Seager hits 200th career home run
Seager crushed his 200th career home run, a Statcast-projected 406-foot blast to right, in the Rangers' 2-1 win over the White Sox that completed the three-game sweep at Guaranteed Rate Field. He became the first purely left-handed-hitting shortstop (excluding switch-hitters) in Major League history to hit 200 home runs and the 15th shortstop overall to do so.
Washington Nationals Rookie Made Team History with First Home Run on
Washington Nationals rookie and former No. 2 overall draft pick Dylan Crews hit his first major league home run on Wednesday night against the New York Yankees. He also made some unique team ...