What makes a first-timer run a marathon?

Motivated to run in a marathon?

Some run for medals, some to lose weight. The reasons people run can affect whether they finish the race.

By Jeannine Stein | Tribune Newspapers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thousands of people will run a 26.2-mile marathon this year — a good chunk of them first-timers.

Their reasons are as varied as their backgrounds. Some have had the race on their bucket list; others will run in remembrance of a loved one, as a weight-loss regimen or to fulfill a bet.

Does the inspiration matter? Yes.

Types of motivation

Good training is essential, helping runners get through fatigue, pain and bad weather. But when marathoners hit the wall and the finish line is still several miles away, they'll have to tap into something within themselves to keep going.

This is where motivation comes into play. Some motivation comes from within. Known as intrinsic, or internal, motivation, it's fueled by joy in the activity or in the sense of accomplishment that results. Extrinsic, or external, motivation comes from outside factors, such as wanting a medal or accolades from friends.

For a marathon, put your money on the intrinsic kind, say sport psychologists.

"If (running a marathon) is not intrinsically valuable — something that's a sense of pride and self-satisfaction — it's going to be very, very difficult to do what you have to do to get to the end," says Kristen Dieffenbach, assistant professor of athletic coaching education at West Virginia University and a sport psychology consultant.

That doesn't mean marathoners should become giddy at the thought of pounding the pavement for hours on end — motivation is often colored in shades of gray. Take the bucket list, for example, an often-cited reason that has become even more popular as the number of marathon participants has increased.

"If the bucket list is to impress other people and get their validation, then it's extrinsic," Dieffenbach says. "But if it's about you and accomplishing something in your life, then it's intrinsic. Very few things are cut and dried, but at the end of the day, the majority of the day has to be intrinsic for something to be sustainable."

Some research supports this. A study presented at a 2006 meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine found that motivation may be an essential factor in whether a runner finishes a marathon. Researchers asked 106 first-time marathoners of both genders why they were running. Motivation was measured and assessed by type — such as the desire to improve self-esteem, develop better coping skills, lose weight or achieve personal goals.

Only 31 people finished the training and the race. The 75 who did not finish were those most likely to have been motivated by the wish to lose weight or gain recognition from others.

Changing motivations

Even if a runner initially decides to do a marathon for the medal bling, that may change before he or she crosses the finish line, says Kate Hays, a Toronto-based psychologist specializing in sport psychology.

"People may start to run for reason ‘A' and eventually discover reason ‘B,'" she says. "Reason ‘B' is the one that keeps them going. The most typical example is that someone starts to run in order to lose weight, but then they discover they love running in and of itself and appreciate the mental and physical health benefits they get from it, and that's the motivation that helps them continue."

Sometimes people run for a loved one who is sick or who has passed away or because they're raising money for a charity. That can ratchet up the pressure to go the distance.

"They need to go into the race thinking, ‘I'm not finishing the race for mom; I'm doing the race for mom,'" Dieffenbach says. "It's not a failure not to finish; it's a failure not to try."

jstein2@tribune.com

 

Frank Ulrich
35, nursing student and first-time marathoner
Before the marathon Motivation:

"I was with a friend in Little Tokyo last summer, and she was talking about how we should do the LA Marathon. Then I paid the non-refundable fee, and she said, ‘Oh, I don't think I can do it.' She got so busy, she never got around to training. I was left with this non-refundable fee, and I thought, "I've still got to do it.' … I thought, ‘It's now or never.' I still have a competitive edge, and I thought, ‘If I do this, I'll still have it over her.'"

Training program:
"I used a Web site called MapMyRun.com," which offers training programs as well as route mapping.

After the marathon
How he did:
According to his brother's phone, GPS and running tracker, he ran it in 7 hours and 28 minutes. He had hoped to run it in 4:45.

What got him through the worst moments:
After mile 20, about every half-mile Ulrich and his brother, who ran it too, would start praying aloud, "Dear Jesus, get us through." They would also periodically turn to each other and say, "We're really going to do this."

Will he do another marathon?
Although his blisters say no, he's been told that in a month he'll be thinking about doing another one.

 

Grisel Rodriguez
25, customer service representative for a jewelry manufacturer, first-time marathoner
Before the marathon Motivation:
"I've always wanted to do the marathon, but I've had two jobs and never got weekends off to train. I finally have more time now.
"Aside from that, I just like challenges. And not many people from my community do this, and that gave me even more motivation to do it. I also just started a relationship, and (my boyfriend) is very supportive. He said go for it."

Training program:
"I went online and looked at what people recommended doing, and then I put something together. Also, I still keep in touch with my math teacher from high school, who's also the football coach. He runs marathons, and he's been telling me what to do."

After the marathon
How she did:
Rodriguez completed the marathon in 5:56. She'd planned on finishing in 5:30.

What got her through the worst moments:
Pain was a problem at mile 19. "Never in my life have I felt so much pain," she said, adding that her calves, thighs and feet were all affected. But texts from family and friends, encouraging her to keep going, propelled her to the finish line. "Also it helped to tell myself over and over, ‘I'm almost there, and the pain is only temporary.'"

Will she do another marathon?
She might, but with a group of people instead of going solo. "I saw that many people who were doing it in a group were able to support one another and encourage each other. Plus, it looked like more fun."

 

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