why run a marathon

1. running a marathon appeals to my inner-child that likes to do things that most people who probably advise against.  
2. it's a great way to enjoy the outdoors and see a city.  
   
3. a perfect excuse for overindulging on candy.  
4. it requires dedication.  training.  hard work.  and regularly pushing yourself beyond previously concieved limits.
5. you get a free tshirt and tons of other freebies at the expo and along the way.  and who doesn't like free stuff?
6. it's kinda bad ass.
7. all the running does nice things for your body (and um...well...aforementioned part particularly).
8. you get a medal.
9. everyone wins.
10. toenails are a totally useless part of the body.
11. to achieve pain on a level only described as "fascinating" is a feat.  i do it often on runs over 18 miles.  by the time you hit 24, total delirum sets in.  
    
12. you meet all sorts of people along the way.  
13. you develop a new system of distance measurement.  your friend that lives 3 miles away is just a quick jog over.
14. time is relative.
15. old men are fast.
16. free beer.  free beer.  free beer.
17. you enjoy eating bagels, bananas, broccoli.  (i read somewhere something about broccoli being good for runners)
18. if you didn't run a marathon, you'd be buying $100-150 shoes for no real reason.
19. large deep dish pizza.
20. it's kinda cool to not be able to feel certain parts of your body.
21. the feeling of taking off your shoes post race and putting on the flip flops. ahhhh.
22. you like to have a fan club.  it's pretty damn awesome to see people screaming and waving just for you.
23. you like to have moments of quiet.  those moments when you focus inward.  do a mental self-check.  find yourself.
24. you believe in god, but just want to make sure.  (tell me you can make it through a marathon without prayer and i'll call you a liar)
25. you want to learn something new about yourself.  you will.
26. because running anything less isn't worth it.