THIS is why YOU shouldn't RUSH to race a MARATHON

[@kevinqbui]

You are probably the only guy on youtube who has covered the entire general spectrum of adaptations that need to happen for you to run well. I literally had to do a bunch of reading and reflecting to understand to get to most of the things you mention here: muscular, bone, tendon, joint, cns, cardiovascular developments. I really wish youtube sometimes had more people who actually cared rather than just getting views most of the time. Niiiiice

[@SotaMaehara]

Appreciate the support mate! Thanks for the comment

[@user-bh9vf2zu1r]

The problem is that most people aren't training to thrive in a race. They are training to survive the race.

[@gabrieldenoury5863]

That kiddo on the bike is building some respectable capillaries with all these laps

[@SotaMaehara]

hahahahah, best comment on this vid

[@anthonymai337]

Another point that came to mind while I was listening is that shorter race distances let you race more often to learn some of the tactics and other aspects like race day prep and tapering. Its also a good way to meet other local racers and learn from a variety of training perspectives

[@SotaMaehara]

This is actually a great point! I used to race 5k's so often but I am absolutely certain I can't race a marathon that frequently Race day prep is important and you can only get experience from doing more of it, and 5k's are perfect for that and finding a good routine Thanks for the comment as always legend! You always bring up great points

[@whatsdrmelup2]

I appreciate this video and it’s got me challenging my running goals. I’m open to reevaluating my plan for running a marathon in 2026. It’s not heavily influenced by others but rather my own ambitions. Thank you for the gentle reminder that I’m in this for the long haul, therefore I have time

[@michaelchen4565]

I think you're speaking from the perspective of RACING a marathon where you want to be prepared to execute. I am also like this and have slowly built up my body over the last 2 years. Everyone I know was not prepared to race and just walk-ran the last 12km of their first marathon. But it still gave them a purpose to transform their bodies into the best shape of their lives and formed fun life long memories of them slugging out a messy first marathon that involved poor decisions, bathroom breaks, debilitating cramps, mysterious runners and fans stepping in to pick them up, etc.. So rushing into their first marathon still served them well.

[@SotaMaehara]

“Gave them purpose to transform their bodies into the best shape of their life” sounds like intrinsic motivation which I said in this video is a good thing and therefore I support it! So I wasn’t speaking from a racing perspective Pretty sure we’re on the same page but you just missed my point about intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation

[@dri1811ya]

You just described my first (and only) marathon... I prefer halfs now, much more manageable for me.

[@dokutaaguriin]

I like to race the 5k. After 4 years of running, I tackled the 10k. I ran my first half this past October, 5th year of running. Next year, at the age of 60, I think I am ready to try the marathon distance.

[@SotaMaehara]

Respect

[@kristoferhokr9036]

Totally agree. Do what makes you excited to train.

[@SotaMaehara]

facts

[@RaabStephan]

Some thoughts I had while listening to this on the treadmill. First. I think there's a big difference between running and racing a marathon. My wife and I wanted to accomplish a goal, as well as persevere through hardship to prove to ourselves that we could stick with something. So, without being runners, or wanting to run, we decided to sign up for a marathon and run it 11 months later. From the beginning, we couldn't even run a 5k. I technically could, but my body wasn't ready for it and I kept getting shin splints, so I had to slow down for my body to adapt. It was a long journey, but we definitely raced our first 5k, then 10k, on to the half marathon before getting to the marathon. I don't think it was until after we ran the 10k that we were both starting to actually enjoy and crave going on runs. So, around this point, yes our mindset changed to wanting to be running in the long-term, wanting longevity. But as non-runners, there's no way that would have entered our thoughts initially. Also, as I mentioned in my first point. Our goal was to prove to ourselves that we could stick to the program, and training for close to a year straight, which we were able to do. Now we are in the situation that you mentioned, where we want to go back and work on speed. So our focus in the next year is all about getting faster. Starting with the 5k and bringing that down, which in turn will bring all of our times down the board. It is a bit backwards as you mentioned, but again, as non-runners this wouldn't have happened if we didn't have that initial marathon goal.

[@bobbyk9939]

I’ve attended a few marathons the past years and seen some runners needing serious medical attention because of not training for a full marathon distance. Unfortunately a few tragic deaths because some beginners in running hit the wall and had underlined health conditions they didn’t think was going to affect them during the event. Runners need to take the marathon seriously and make sure they are trained in the distance or get an unfortunate fatality.

[@borangeade]

very useful info and you explained it like a casual conversation! i like your content because of this and I decided to sub!

[@SotaMaehara]

Appreciate you joining the crew! Thanks for the feedback!

[@Martin_Edmondson]

Thanks, some good thoughts. My feeling is that the shorter distances are more speed focused, whereas (to a point) the marathon is more about endurance not speed. So rather than challenging myself to go faster, I wanted to see how far and long I could run. They are hard..and I think its a good goal for most runners...but not the be all and end all. Enjoyment and longevity of running should be the priority. Also - that kid doing 300 laps of the park was kinda distracting! lol. Just kept coming!

[@AKA47estd]

Agree with the strong external contributors, as marathons seem to be glamorized a lot in the amateur running world. I also see experienced marathoners finishing it in their average long run pace as frequently as once a month. But I still think doing a marathon atleast once a year and dedicating 8 -12 weeks to build up can be great stimulus, which would also include a tune-up half marathon race 4-6 weeks before, but only while working on top end speed races (1 mile to 10K) throughout the rest of the year and making sure I can commit to the marathon training plan and not just finishing the distance.

[@dominickbryant7094]

I completely agree, I unintentionally have the same view, I want to run a marathon, but I want to run a good one and that will take more time than just completing the distance

[@jameseden9380]

I needed to run a marathon. Went from nothing to that in 6 months. Got injured post race and am now starting the journey again from 5k, doing it properly this time. Good advice.

[@noeidee924]

Started running last year as a way to be physically active and lose weight. Eventually fell in love with it. I have registered to a marathon this coming October 2025 to mark my 2nd running anniversary. I have enjoyed the journey so far. I ran my 5 km, 10 km and might run a half early next year. The best part I think of not rushing things is that I saw my self improve including my VO2max data. It was below normal when I started (I got a notification from my Apple Watch) and is now above average. Also, my 10km race pace during the first quarter of the year is now my easy running 5km pace. Hopefully I will be able to finish my first marathon under 4 hours but, even it’s not, I will take the lessons from it and improve further.

[@cristian-adrianfrasineanu9855]

I rushed to run a marathon a year ago for most likely external reasons and seeing all influencers doing that. Now I regret that (also got injured) and decided to focus on 5k/10k for the next 6 years and eventually get a NR in the masters age bracket before going again for the marathon. Also I think running a good 5k is more impressive than finishing a marathon in terms of the systems you need to tap into. If you're young and you go straight to marathon you really miss out on lots of experiences as you said and I regret I didn't take the chance of doing more speed and mid-distance in my early years of life

[@PTintheBC]

I was just thinking something similar. Amateur runners like me seem to rush to run a slow marathon. By contrast, truly gifted runners like Kelvin Kiptum, don’t run their first marathon until they are fast enough to win

[@SotaMaehara]

Exactly - I personally just think that it’s not worth racing a marathon undercooked because the experience will suck. But on the contrary, even if you give yourself an extra year, that’s a huge advantage. Even if you unideal training, the cumulative extra miles will make it exponentially easier Simply put, there’s no shortcuts to running a marathon with a more comfortable experience, and if you do it too early, you WILL hit the wall and you WILL cramp

[@lowzyyy]

My thought is at least 2-3 years until first marathon or stable mileage around 60k+

[@youraveragelatino1089]

Also side comment, I do agree of building the foundation and moving to the biggest distance. You’ll set yourself up for success. Me personally, I did a half marathon and now focusing on 5k-10k before racing my first marathon next year in October. I do find the marathon distance to be overrated, idk there’s just a spike in adrenaline when racing a 5k. Also I think this is the only sport where people don’t start from the foundational work (racing shorter distances) and then moving up to bigger events. Just weird

[@marcowapoo]

Wish I have watched this sooner 😂. I have been cycling racing on an amateur level for about 15 years and this July I started running for cross training. I did my first half last October and did pretty well as a beginner runner. My cardio is pretty good and I feel I could run a marathon at any day so I was extra motivated that I registered for a marathon thru charity this April 2025. I bumped up my mileage quickly and having found out that my running form was poor, I developed tibial tendonits which put me back to cycling and no running for about 2 weeks. Im back to running now with ankle pain of 1/10 after long runs. How I wish I have sticked with shorter distances for now. Hoping to be injury free now until April.

[@chinpoeykhoo6261]

There are some good valid points for sure especially the injuries and time consumed part, I did my first marathon Dec 23 and IT band injury found me during Jan 24 and I have to stop for almost 4 months before I can resume back to usual running (the injury definitely stack compounding instead of linear and you might just don't feel the risk during the whole training period). Slowly resume back training with lower mileage and hiking as cross train and finished my 2nd marathon last month even with same completion time but I'm OK for a route with elevation 300+, stopped for 3 weeks before resume back to usual running just to avoid serious injuries this time round. For 2025 I don't plan to run any FM so far perhaps by the end of the year I might consider if I did consistently run throughout the year, but I do have one question though instead of FM should I go for for 1-2 HM just to make sure I'm motivated to train and slowly pushing up my average paces as it would require less time commitment and potential injury risk?🤔

[@Leeroy49]

Lets meet if we're still running in the M90 :). Marathons are definitely a different kind of hard than ultras. Both are great fun and there's a lot to learn even after years of doing those.

[@joshuasmith4315]

Love everything you said here. People focus WAY too much on the marathon, at least in the states. 10/10 I tell people I'm a runner they ask about marathons. I tell people I train for 10k's and it's almost like they respect it less. Sure I COULD do a marathon faster than most but what value would I get from it?

[@SotaMaehara]

Yeah the most classic question I get when I talk about running to someone is "so do you do a lot marathons?" and I usually just say the truth and say not really haha

[@mvd_01]

Dang! I just started running a year ago and I’m running my first marathon next week. Did I rush it?

[@adamh9962]

i like the "max out before moving up" but when the 5k/10k/half/full elites were younger it was 1500/1600/3000/3200 and the typical adult beginner doesn't have this background, the 5k is short but it's not that short you're still going to be out there for a whole [your 5k time]. recently i've been training as a middle distance runner and felt a huge mechanical stimulus which has made me so much more efficient and able to push myself over shorter periods of time. running fast doesn't end with the 5k.

[@youraveragelatino1089]

Another amazing video and different from others who talk about adaptations needed to prevent injuries and longevity with the sport. This might be a hot take but if you approaching that start line with KT tape, you shouldn’t be racing that race 😂

[@tty8526]

I feel that marathon makes me learn how fail faster. If I didn't run a marathon, my running plateau at 10k track and field and maybe no other motivation. But after running once and didn't do well. I wanted run again to achieve my goal of sub 4 marathon. While training, I did one 14k tempo and hit my 10k PB and I could still run next day. This shows I have become stronger. However, trying marathon too quickly can lead to injury very fast. Gaining more HM experience might be better. But again, I keep thinking it's not worth doing HM race as I could have done it without aid station.

[@thesleepycat5437]

i will do a full marathon after ive got a relax and enjoyable half . thats why here i am doing another halfma .

[@SotaMaehara]

Great plan!

[@NathanRiediger]

3:30 talking about cyclists bone density as a kid bikes by 😂

[@SotaMaehara]

Didn’t even think of that 😂 kid better start running if he wants a bitta bone density gains

[@domo_willson]

I've been saying this!🙌🏼

[@SotaMaehara]

Good stuff

[@Senshsk]

bro i just signed to my first marathon, found the video 10 min too late lol

[@SotaMaehara]

When’s the marathon haha At least I have many vids that will help you train for one!

[@Senshsk]

​@@SotaMaehara next year may 18, at least i have lot of time to get good! Been watching lot of your videos, keep the good work man!!!

[@vidzgo]

Yea really hate non-runners saying "my colleague or something ran a marathon" at some slow pace anyone can, suggesting I'm a sprinter doing 10k races 😂

[@SotaMaehara]

haha yeah, we're all runners if we run

[@HNRunning]

most of this goes without saying, but there will always be the macho guys and gals who will just want to "wing" it and suffer, these are usually the externally motivated people. You need to learn one way or another.

[@ninjashoyo9086]

sad but true. well, they’re choosing their own hard anyway

[@natefearnley8940]

Well thought out and communicated mate.

[@SotaMaehara]

Appreciate it man!

[@ByanGwok]

Man! It isn't hard to do a marathon distance on foot, a long distance trampling can easily get you to the marathon distance, and in nature the soft ground and different terrin can allow your muscles mechanic switch over time to time to prevent overload specific group of muscles compare running on road. And also you don't need to race for the speed, you go low intensity enough, taking sufficient water and food with you, and you don't need to store so much glycogen in your body to finish a long distance. And no one say you should not take breaks during traveling.

[@SotaMaehara]

I agree with everything you said (except the glycogen part), however the title of this video is 'why you shouldn't rush to race a marathon', with the key words being "rush" and "race"

[@ByanGwok]

@@SotaMaehara Certainly, my intention wasn't debate with you, I support what you were saying instead, because I saw too many people rushing into racing a marathon. I have been running for 8 years, although I did finished Marathon or ultra, the longest distance which I treated like a race is 24km so far.