Running a marathon is no simple task. I remember running my first marathon a year ago, with a close friend of mine. It was hard, daunting, strenuous. If you're a fit guy, you'd think that running a marathon is simply maintaining a steady pace across 42km. It is quite true, but then again it's not all.
The both of us went into the marathon hardly prepared. The furthest distance I'd run to prepare for the race was probably about 5km or so, not even an eighth of the entire race. Then, the first few kilometres breezed by. It felt so good running past people, just letting our legs fly in the cool morning wind. I felt great.
As time passed by, however, aches started kicking in. Practically every part of my body ached at least once—my thighs, my calves, my abs, my shoulders... not my neck muscles though. At some point of time it felt like I couldn't go on. I'm sure I couldn't have went on if I didn't have company. You know, I was relying on this... spirit bond (no reference to DotA's Syllabear) with my friend—if he could make it, I could; if he couldn't, I couldn't.
To me, a marathon is a test of both a person's physical and mental endurance. One year down the road, I'm pretty sure that I can't run a marathon. First of all, my stamina took a dip for the worse (and is still dipping, I guess). And then, I'm also not motivated to run a marathon.
I wouldn't advise anyone to run a marathon if he just wants to do it for the accomplishment—the pride, the sense of achievement, the medal, and the finisher tee. It's because, at the end of the marathon, you actually start questioning yourself: who, really, is impressed by your run? What's changed after fighting so hard? I don't know. For me, it leaves me all dull and gloomy... I'd advise you to run a marathon only if you want to run it, if you have a desire for it, be it for friends, or... yourself.
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