Comments for WhyMarathon

Comment on Gary Allen: Distance Discussion Q&A by Susan Snead

Susan Snead — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 02:09:39 +0000

Gary Allen has a passion. I love how he is consumed and shares all of this with us! He is a legendary athlete with a great enthusiasm for our sport. I am very thankful I have been able to reap from his experiences. I feel like a more knowlegeable and passionate runner because of him! He feeds his audience well, all the while, still fueling his needs as an athlete! Thank you! Keep it coming!

Comment on Mandy Aikens: Never Give Up! by Nathan Vo

Nathan Vo — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 20:34:05 +0000

I, too, used to hate running. Growing up, I was never able to run. My whole body would ache every single time I do a fast sprint or a jog. A whole block is all that I could ever do. Everything hurts. From heels to shins, to chest, and even teeth. There was a point in my life that I thought I may have had asthma and wanted to ask my doctor because of it. Up until I met a 62 years old man at the LA Marathon in March 2012. We talked a whole lot about his passion for running and we exchange ideas about running. I even told him about my story. Before we parted, he paused and look to me in the eyes and said: “Nathan, may be you think you can’t run because you haven’t forced yourself to run yet.” Haven’t forced myself to run yet huh? A week later, my friend invited me to do a 5K Chocolate run in San Diego. Haven’t forced myself to run yet? I’ll show you. That was what going on in my mind. I finished my very first 5K in 39 minutes. Oh man, it was terrible but boy did I get high dashing toward the finish line. The week after that, I started my training. It began with a circle around the block, ran 2 minutes, walk 1 minute. Then it went to 2 circles around the block, then a 5K around the block. Of course, there were many moments when I had to stop because of shortness of breath, and there were moments that I had to cry out loud because it hurts and I can’t breath. Lucky for me no one was around because it was very early in the morning. 4 weeks into training I started my first 10K at Hollywood, CA. 1 week after that I finished another 10K in Seal Beach, CA. 1 week after that I finished my first Half Marathon at the Safari Park in San Diego. 2 weeks after that, another Half Marathon in Pasadena. And another 2 weeks after that, I had just done my 3rd Half Marathon at the San Diego Rock ‘n Roll on June 3, 2012. I was running with Team In Training (TNT) to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to beat cancer. It makes me realize that we should not let anybody tells us that we can’t do anything, not even ourselves. Our body is made for running, we just haven’t pushed ourselves hard enough yet. Happy running!
Nathan

Comment on Mandy Aikens: Never Give Up! by Carol

Carol — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:39:53 +0000

I know what Team in Training (TNT) means!! I am on my fourth year with them and you do meet great friends and stay motivated to run. I had never run before TNT. I hope you have a long running career too!

Comment on Charlie Engle: Running In Place by Jay

Jay — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:48:20 +0000

Thanks for Charlie’s updated status. He’s such an inspiration across all societal stratefications, and the best part of his story will happen in the near future. Can’t wait to see him in action once again!

Comment on Mark Cato: I Made A Decision by Mark Cato

Mark Cato — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:47:44 +0000

Just an update, I have now completed 15 marathons and 10 half marathons. Feeling great and staying on the road!