THE PROS AND CONS OF A MARATHON 1

Abstract

There are many pros and cons to running a marathon, but the pros significantly outweigh the

cons. The majority of benefits for running a marathon are not in the marathon itself, but in the

months leading up to the marathon. People run marathons to challenge themselves, try something

new, or even for a boost of confidence. Marathons boost people's self esteem. People are proud

to say that they have completed a marathon, however people feel more relaxed when having a

plan. This planning will help in the real world by teaching a person to stay organized and solve

problems. The cons include becoming addicted and developing injuries. Many people crave the

accomplishment and feeling of completing a marathon, which causes them to sign up for another

one as soon as possible. Others want to try and run faster than the time they just ran. If the limits

are pushed too much it can lead to injury. Furthermore, the higher the mileage the higher the risk

of injury, which could someone to deal with chronic injuries. To reduce injury people should

gradually increase their mileage, and take a rest day once a week. If too much is done too early

the risk of injury is significantly higher. The pros of running a marathon are greater than the

cons.

Keywords​: marathon, pros and cons, injury, confidence, addiction