In this episode of the Miles with Moms podcast, your hosts (Whitney, Olivia, and Shanna—Tricia was unable to make it) delve into the complex relationship runners have with marathons. What’s so great about the marathon distance anyway? Why do we choose to suffer? Why not pick something shorter?
We explore the allure of marathon running, the mental challenges faced during races, and the personal journeys that motivate us to keep coming back to the sport and this distance, in particular—because for all its faults, the marathon can certainly give us a lot of gifts, too
Our conversation highlights the balance between personal goals and the joy of running. We discuss the balance between pursuing personal goals and maintaining enjoyment in running, as well as the impact of social media on runners' perceptions of success. We emphasize the need for self-acceptance and the value of cheering for others in the running community—including sharing our biggest race regrets.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Marathon Love-Hate Relationship
05:23 The Allure of the Marathon
12:47 Mental Challenges of Marathon Running
20:45 The Role of Experience and Training
26:35 Rediscovering the Joy of Running
32:15 The Importance of Community in Running
42:00 Finding Balance Between Goals and Enjoyment
48:00 The Impact of Social Media on Running Goals
Whitney Heins is a mom of 2 kids, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com, and a former TV journalist. She's been a runner most of her life but started going after big goals after becoming a mom. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. Learn more about Whitney & The Mother Runners:
