I’ve known lots of people who have run marathons, but the most memorable for all is their first marathon, bar none.  Personally I have yet to run my first marathon, but I do love listening to the different stories of my friends who have.

The youngest person I’ve ever heard of running their first marathon was a twelve year old girl.  I didn’t meet her personally.  I heard the story about tenth-hand.  She supposedly ran the Boston marathon back in the 1970’s sometime.  I suppose I could look it up, but what I found interesting was that her story was that she wanted to start with the oldest marathon and run one every year in order of age.  I’m not sure how many marathons that would mean, but to run the Boston marathon as your first marathon is pretty good.  I was under the impression that you couldn’t run the Boston marathon without first running another marathon, but I could have my facts confused and maybe there is a special slot for kids.

The funniest first marathon story that I ever heard was from someone who ran Grandma’s marathon in Duluth, MN as their first marathon.  Bill decided to ask his girlfriend to marry him by wearing a T-shirt to ask her as he ran across the finish line.  The problem was that Bill didn’t really train for his first marathon.  He didn’t even quit smoking.  I guess maybe this is sad rather than funny.  Anyway, he had so much support from his family that his sister picked him up at mile 10 and drove him to Lemon Drop hill.  He ran the rest of the way, and did get married (and divorced). Technically that really wasn’t Bill’s first marathon because he didn’t finish.  I’m not sure if he ever attempted another marathon.

Those are probably the two most unique first marathon stories I can remember.  Other people have these poetic memories of their first marathon.  The crisp fresh air as they park and walk to their starting area for their first marathon.  Other’s have no memory of whether it was hot or cold or even if it was raining.  What they remember are the people that they met during their first marathon, and many form lasting friendships while running their first marathon.  I guess there is nothing like finishing your first marathon with a complete stranger and sharing that feeling of elation and accomplishment.

I’ve even read about men and women who meet during their first marathon and run the entire course together only to get married before they run their next marathon.  That is a unique way to remember an anniversary.  It would be kind of cool to meet your life partner during your first marathon though.  That would really make your first marathon a life changing event on more than one plain.

For all the happy stories of first marathon runs that I have heard, I’ve heard just as many awful stories.  The overwhelming difference between a good and a bad first marathon story is the preparation.  Those who have properly trained for their first marathon inevitably have positive stories.