8 Things NOT To Say To Someone Training For A Marathon
People hear the word marathon and sometimes think crazy things. Here are some things NOT to say to someone training for a marathon.
1. “Do you think you will win?”- Ummmmm no…I actually know for a fact that I will not win. I’m not being negative, I just can’t beat all 25,000 other people running.
2. “How long is the marathon you are doing? I did a 3 mile one once.”- Congrats that you ran a race. That is awesome. The marathon I am running is 26.2…because that is the distance of a marathon.
3. “Why?”- Because I can.
4. “You don’t look like a marathon runner.”- Well, you don’t look like a race car driver, but I bet you speed on occasion. 
5. “All you get is a medal?”- And the ability to say I’m a marathon runner, Duh!
6. “Don’t you get tired?”- Yes, of course I get tired. Don’t you get tired after a long day at work? Now imagine that plus 15 more miles to run.
7. “How long is the swim portion of the race?”- Hopefully there won’t be a swim portion unless it rains really hard. I am running a marathon…not a triathlon.
8. “I don’t get it or understand why people do that.”- Then I guess you won’t be running a marathon 🙂
Good luck to everyone out there “in training”. You kick serious asphalt! I will “see” you at the races.
Here are some other posts you might like:
10 Reasons Why You Should Marry A Runner
9 Reasons Why Running A Marathon Is A Lot Like Childbirth
What Runners Don’t Want You To Know
Sam | 3rd Sep 14
Have you ever considered running the lululemon SeaWheeze half marathon in Vancouver, Canada? I ran it a couple weekends ago and they put on an outstanding event. I think you’d enjoy it. You can read SeaWheeze blogs to learn more. I also volunteered at the package pickup and met a lot of people from California. Registration for next year’s SeaWheeze starts next Wednesday and will probably sell out faster than a runDisney half marathon.
Half Crazy Mama | 3rd Sep 14
I was actually registered for SeaWheeze last year, but couldn’t make it due to a conflict I had with a press event. One of these years I would love to run it though 🙂
Lauren M. | 3rd Sep 14
Ha, I’m going to have to use the race car driver line sometime!!!
etueller | 3rd Sep 14
Love this!! I’m training for my first marathon and have already been asked if I “won” my shorter races. 🙂
Smitha @ RunningwithSDMom | 3rd Sep 14
This is awesome Emelia!! I am training for my first Full and I am so excited / anxious! Seriously…loved this post!
Half Crazy Mama | 3rd Sep 14
Thank you! Good luck on your first full! Which race are you doing? 🙂
Mar on the Run! | 6th Sep 14
this is awesome!! I’m training for my first full right now and can definitely think of a few times I could’ve used some of these lines! 🙂
Half Crazy Mama | 6th Sep 14
Thank you!! What race is your first full!! Congrats and good luck 🙂
doni | 9th Sep 14
I’ve been asked SO many times how long my marathon was/is. I always consider a sarcastic response but then realize I’m representing the running world and try to explain patiently. The comment that I know is supposed to make me feel good, but always makes me sad is when people say, “I could never do that.” My response is always the same, “if I can do it, you can.” It’s not like I was born with some strange marathon running gene.
Half Crazy Mama | 9th Sep 14
I totally agree. Anyone who sets their mind to a goal and works hard can accomplish that goal, especially a marathon. 🙂
dishofdailylife | 15th Sep 14
This is absolutely hilarious. Thanks for the afternoon chuckle!
Half Crazy Mama | 15th Sep 14
Glad you liked it! 🙂
Rachel | 16th Sep 14
This is so funny. I’m not training for a full but training for my second half, and I get all sorts of weird questions like that, too! Thanks for sharing 🙂 And good luck with your marathon!
Half Crazy Mama | 16th Sep 14
Glad you liked it! Good luck one your second half!!! 🙂
TriGirl (@triingathlete) | 18th Sep 14
Hehe. I don’t think anyone has actually ever asked me if I think I will win. They know me too well 😀
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections | 21st Sep 14
Absolutely love this. I couldn’t stand being asked how long it was or when people were like “oh yeah, my cousin runs marathons too.” Meaning 5Ks. Kills me every time.
I was really surprised to find how many people followed up my “I’m so excited to run a marathon” with “I HATE RUNNING.” Wow, thanks for the encouragement! not.
Mandy | 23rd Sep 14
Love it! I think I’ve heard most of these. Some people will never understand 😉
Half Crazy Mama | 23rd Sep 14
Glad you liked it!! 🙂
barif0815 | 30th Sep 14
I love this! My 2nd marathon is in less than 3 weeks and that last one is definitely true – I said NEVER AGAIN after the first one. It’s taken me 3 years to forget. I always laugh when I get the “how far is the marathon you’re running?” questions – um, the same distance as all the other marathons???
Half Crazy Mama | 30th Sep 14
LOL! Totally!! Good luck on your 2nd marathon!!!! 🙂
Leeann Fairbanks | 30th Sep 14
Loved this! Thanks for sharing! I am training for my first full in 3 weeks. I am excited, nervous, anxious, and ready to RUN! I have ran 5 Half Marathons and loved every step of every mile!!
Half Crazy Mama | 30th Sep 14
Good luck on the marathon!!! I want to hear how it goes 🙂
Lora @ Crazy Running Girl | 1st Oct 14
Hahah I totally love this!! ALL of these are so true.
Half Crazy Mama | 1st Oct 14
🙂
Jennifer Lefforge (momof3boys37) | 30th Dec 14
LOVE. And I am, sadly, having a few flashbacks to my last marathon this week as I taper for Disney. So clearly I haven’t completely forgotten. But putting that in the back of my mind and pretending it doesn’t exist. Because I’m a distance runner. And that’s what we do.
Half Crazy Mama | 30th Dec 14
Lol! You will do great, plus the miles at Disney are magical…just remember that around mile 20. 🙂
bain2014 | 3rd Jan 15
#2! #2!!
shannalehr | 3rd Jan 15
I loved this list so much. Just sat here laughing my head off!! Training for marathon #2!!
Half Crazy Mama | 4th Jan 15
I’m so glad you liked it. Only runners I think understand 🙂
Tricia | 6th Jan 15
I love #5 I hear it all the time!!! Some people don’t understand but that’s ok!!!
davali20012002 | 14th Apr 15
Love this!! Training for my FIRST marathon in November! My present to MYSELF right before my 60th birthday!
Half Crazy Mama | 14th Apr 15
That is absolutely awesome!!! Good luck on the training and happy very early birthday! Which race are you running?
BlackJena | 13th Aug 15
Omg… LMAO! These are awesome! My little brother asked me if I was going to win and when I said no, he flipped me off like it was a waste of time…lol. Mind you he was a child, but still.. thanks a lot! I’ve had ppl tell me they have run “marathons” only to find out that they ran ‘around the pond twice’… oh, okay! …But my ultimate favourite is when people say “I COULDN’T DO THAT!” Oh really? You just got off the couch, of course you can’t DO THAT? Tell me something I don’t already know. It takes training and dedication to run the full 26.2, so yeah, you’re absolutely right… you can’t just do it. This is what I’m thinking, but I always graciously reply “Anyone can run a marathon if they train for it” … but my word! People really don’t have a clue. All of these are great, and right on the money! Thank you for a chuckle today. 🙂
Half Crazy Mama | 17th Aug 15
I’m so glad you liked it! Anything to make marathon training a little more humorous is always good 🙂
wendyistakingthelongwayhome | 22nd Oct 15
Hilarious! And true. And some of those folks who “don’t look like a marathoner” pass me up regularly!
Amanda Brooks | 3rd Jan 16
I just got the biggest kick out of this and read all of them out-loud to my boyfriend who commonly says, “I could do one of those, I just ran 4 miles” haha
Amanda
AnchoredtoSunshine.com