Endurance run requires 90% mental strength. In my case the mental confidence to register for a Marathon was acquired only after i saw my co-worker cross the 26.2 finish line. We all get motivated when we see our own peer group achieve a target. My co-worker was a normal guy, 5' 6" tall, may be 200 lbs...not an elite athlete or so, but rather a person who was trying to keep his weight down. He trained for 6 months right in front of my eyes and finished his maiden marathon. He literally brain washed me that 26.2 is acheivable by sheer training. No particular fitness level is needed. Any age group or any weight group can finish the distance at their own comfortable pace. During his training, in order to keep him motivated, he would ask a few of us to give him company by running with him for 2 or 3 miles. During those runs, he would give me tid bits on how to breathe...how to pace myself, hydration, running styles, how to buy a good running shoes, what type of running outfits to wear etc. It was like having my own personal trainer. Slowly i started to enjoy running. After that point, i didn't need company. When i was able to run 5 miles at a strech, I registered for a FULL marathon giving myself 6 months time to train. I also registered for a Half Marathon in such a way that it would serve as my Marathon training run. As suggested by my co-worker, i used Runners World's FREE Smartcoach program to devise a Marathon training plan. I literally stuck to the plan mile by mile and minute by minute. I was badly hurt (IT Band Syndrome) when i finished my Half Marathon on 16 NOV 2008. The pain lasted for about 3 days and i was back to normal. I then resumed training for my Marathon. Till then, my DH thought i was crazy. After i completed my Half marathon, he got motivated and decided to run the full with me. He started training too. It was 4 of us (me, DH, 2 co-workers) training for our Marathon now. Luckily, I was able to finish my Full Marathon on MAR 22, 2009 without getting hurt. If not for my co-worker, i would've never even dreamed of running a Marathon. I still think he has given me the greatest gift of health and fitness.
