Why Bother Running A Marathon If Not For Time?

I’ve been getting a lot of traffic on my 2024 Marine Corps Marathon race recap over the last couple weeks. Is it because of the sparkling wit and personality that weaves its way into every word I type? Possibly! But more probably it’s the title, which, to refresh your memory, was “How Slow Can I Go? Marine Corps Marathon 2024 Recap.”

I suspect there are quite a few people out there finding my post because they want to know exactly how slow they can go. Which is to say, they’re worried about course cutoff times.

SO HOW SLOW CAN YOU GO?

Let me answer your question up front: as of this writing, the Marine Corps Marathon requires a 14 minute mile pace. If I’m doing the math correctly this gives you just over 6 hours to complete all 26.2 miles. However, I assume that clock begins after the last participant has crossed the start line, in which case you have a bit over 6 hours PLUS the buffer time of everyone behind you, whatever number that may be.

That being said, there are a few “gauntlets,” or checkpoints, that you must cross by a certain time or risk being swept. For more information on all of this, take a gander at the official Marine Corps Marathon FAQ.

Then again, you probably checked that page first. You know the quantifiable stats; you’re after the qualitative experience. In which case, here is my advice: don’t worry about it.

PLEASE DON’T STRESS ABOUT THE MARATHON

I know it’s SO much easier to say this than synthesize it, but: please don’t stress about your marathon! Truly, it’s not that deep.

I know! That’s crazy to say. You put so much work into your training. The bib wasn’t free. Maybe there are flights and hotels attached too. You probably told people you were doing it, and they expect you to finish.

All that together probably feels like pressure. But one of the really fantastic things about running is that ultimately it’s just you out there. Some might describe it as you against yourself, but you could also describe it as you FOR yourself. And that makes every aspect of your marathon journey personal – not just your distance record.

That means that regardless of what the more competitive among us might say, running every race as fast as you can or why bother isn’t the only way to go about things. You can run a marathon for joy, and/or purely for the challenge.

Even if you don’t finish, you will learn things about yourself. You might learn the marathon is not for you. Or you might learn that the marathon is for you, but you needed to make some on-course discoveries in order to come back stronger at the next one.

Or perhaps you’ll discover that marathons can be… fun?

I COULD TRY FOR A PERSONAL RECORD…

Please knock on wood with me as I tell you: my sixth Marine Corps Marathon and 22nd marathon is on Sunday, and I’m feeling pretty good about it! But I’ll tell you something you may find perplexing: I have no intention of running it for time.

If you were here last year, you may recall that my 2024 pre-MCM outlook was wary. I grappled with the possibility that I was facing down my first DNF. Happily it all turned out okay, but I still currently only have a couple months of injury-free training behind me. I’m not sure I’m ready for a flat out assault on time. I’d rather keep running in my capacity as a slow, average, unimpressive plodder than leave it all out on the field only to break myself in the end, you know?

BUT I PLAN TO RUN THIS MARATHON FOR FUN

Which leads me to the popular axiom that the marathon is “supposed to be hard.” I mean, I guess – sometimes – kinda? There are parts that demand that you dig. It certainly requires a strong mental game as the hours of nonstop physical activity tick away. And there will always be strain for those who are trying to beat their own records.

I don’t buy that the marathon – or any race – is solely for those people, though, nor is it solely for those who are keen to suffer. Not that gunning for time isn’t extremely legit, obviously! But it’s the same 26.2 miles for everybody, and however you choose to go about them is completely up to you. You are more than free to tackle them gently, do your best, and see how far and fast that takes you.

And that’s my plan. I intend to follow my instincts this Marine Corps Marathon. I will set a pace for myself that feels relaxed. If I want to walk a bit, I will. I will read the spectator signs and dole out high fives and if the race gods are on my side, I will finish whole and happy. That’s all I’m after.

NOW GO OUT THERE AND ROCK YOUR MARATHON!

Am I making any sense here? I’m sorta kinda throwing a bunch of thoughts at the blog-wall and seeing what sticks.

I think what I’m ultimately trying to say is that a marathon does not have to be scary, everyone (as long as they are healthy and not putting themselves or others in danger!) has the right to approach the marathon from any angle that works for them, and in the end, this is all about you. Your experience. Your marathon and nobody else’s. Be careful, enjoy every moment, trust yourself, and when all else fails, BELIEVE. “Ted Lasso” is coming back, right? There you go.

Anyway, I hope to see you at the fiftieth running of the Marine Corps Marathon! Above all else, I wish the collective we a fabulous time.

Don’t forget, you can follow FRoA on Threads @fairestrunofall and on Instagram @fairestrunofall. If you have any questions or thoughts, leave a comment or email fairestrunofall@gmail.com. See ya real soon!