First Marathons: Personal Encounters With the 26.2-Mile Monster

by Gail Kislevitz (Editor), Gail Kislevitz (Editor)

Introduction by Gail Waesche Kislevitz "If you have the passion, you have the power." I had already been pounding pavement for twenty-four years when I made the decision to run my first marathon. Growing up in the late sixties when women's sports was called cheerleading, I had no formal training in running techniques. I just ran, pure and simple. I ran for the joy of it, the thrill of it, the escape of it. During college, I played lacrosse because there wasn't a women's track team and it seemed like the next best thing to do. But I still remained faithful to my daily run. I ran through the bitter-cold winters of Michigan during graduate school, through two pregnancies and countless other miles that seem to blend into one long life's run. I don't know when I made the transformation from running as a sport to running as part of my life. I can't separate the two. When I run, my mind and body fuse together, creating an energy source that empowers me. It is my private time, my therapy, my religion.
Ultimately I had to test myself, to see just how far I could go. I wanted to train correctly, so I bought running books filled with important training routines, nutrition guides, stretching techniques, injury prevention, speed work, pace and performance guidelines. Everything I needed to know about the technical aspects of running a marathon, except the most important thing to me-its soul. No book took on the task of describing the feeling, the heart, the core of a marathon. What would it be like? What would I feel out there? Would I hit the mythical wall? Could the last six miles be so difficult? This was the information I craved. I spoke with friends (and strangers) who had run marathons. They answered my questions with such passion, such fever and excitement for the event that I was mesmerized. I inhaled their stories as they captured every moment of the the lows of utter despair and pain, the highs of inner strength. They became my role models.
That was the beginning of this book. I am going to let runners speak for themselves-famous runners, unknowns, fast and slow, old and young. Through their experiences, you will feel the pain and the glory of running the marathon. Their lives h

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Memoir

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Jen (The Jenerator) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the stories. Old book, but still entertaining :)

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long distance runner, I found this incredibly inspiring. Loved it.

[Skyler Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated this book, and it got me even more hyped up than I already am for my marathon in March. However, it is pretty outdated, and I wouldn't say the writing is great. I would recommend more recently-written marathon and running books for those who are interested in the topic.

[Daniel Solera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike a training book by such athletes as Jeff Galloway or Hal Higdon, First Marathons offers no technical advice on running any distance, nor does it endorse any particular program or regimen. Instead, it is a collection of testimonials, stories of people and the events of their lives that led to their first 26.2-mile race.

The people chosen to tell their tale are extremely varied. From the overweight person who used running as a means to reclaim his good health, to the first person to finish a marathon with a prosthetic leg, to the black runner who faced segregation and the woman who wasn't allowed to run the all-male Boston Marathon, you will find inspiration.

The only drawback to this book is that there are 37 stories to be told. In other words, after about twelve, you pretty much get the point. However, each story has a defining "twist" of sorts that makes it completely unique. Usually these twists are the kind that would either stop someone from running or serve as an unlikely catalyst for developing someone's passion for the long-distance run. That's how author/editor Gail Kislevitz keeps the pages turning. We all know that each chapter ends in a successful marathon completion, but it's the story of the journey, or the metaphor for the training period, that makes each story worthwhile.

Inspiration and drive are just as imperative as training and discipline when it comes to crossing the finish line. For the latter, Higdon and Galloway are great sources. For the former, look no further than First Marathons.

[Tamara Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

An great book to read for inspiration and motivation to run a marathon. Of all the stories provided in this book, I was most surprised by the story by Ted Corbett, the “pioneer of ultramarathoning.” Before reading this book, I wasn’t aware that an African American was one of the first people to run long distances as a way to defy segregation in the 1920s and to refute Arthur Newton’s opinion that blacks would never run distance because they just don’t have what it takes.

I personally would’ve like to seen more first marathon stories by other African Americans runners however I realize since the book was published is 1998, this was written before the noticeable increase in running event participation by both African American men and women.

The stories presented in the book are insightful, humorous,sad and uplifting. A main point to consider in that the stories are the told by athletes not authors so the reader should not read this book expecting award winning prose but instead take the book as a tool to assist with beginning, continuing, or restarting a love affair with running.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Was really excited about this book and wanted it to be so inspiring. As a rule, though, the writing was poor. Most of the stories were either sickeningly sweet or just plain annoying. Best part about reading it for me was that I knew I could write a better first marathon story. Worst part was that it made me fear that the whole running/writing genre must be REALLY hard to get right. I have yet to read a non-fiction account of a running struggle that I thought was good. Can I really accomplish this, when so many have fallen flat?

[Susan Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gifted to me and I absolutely loved it. Stories of first time marathoners from those who trained to those who ran on a whim...all ages and levels of fitness. I found this book to be inspiring not only to run but to challenge myself and to feel the exhilaration of a challenge accepted!

[Jen]

Dated. Worth looking through, maybe, but not for reading cover to cover (like I did).

[Robin Hulbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspiring! I think I'll set a goal to run a marathon by 2015 :)

[Paula Kamphaus-hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I will be running one of these in my future.

[KK Rebecca Lai]

The perfect book for me one week ahead of my own first marathon. I've been training for months. I have never run this much in my entire life. It feels unreal that I am here counting down the days till the big event. I've cycled through many emotional phases through training, from feeling so frustrated and down and tired, to getting a runner's high as I ran my fastest half ever. And all of these feelings were captured in the book. Some of the stories were a little longer and overlay detailed, but all in all it was a great read to prepare myself mentally for the marathon. Reading how people who have never exercised, to high school athletes turned middle-aged beer-bellied parents, to the best athletes, tackled their first marathon, made me feel so much smaller in my own struggles. The marathon is a beautiful thing because it becomes this common goal that we pursue. Talking to someone who has trained for and done a marathon, you'll find this instant connection and mutual respect. The stories of woman and minorities especially touched me. I loved the story of Toshiko D'Elia who ran her first marathon at 46 and continued to break records as she grew older, and her struggle as an immigrant as her family back home rejected her. The story of Sister Marion Irvine who ran a 2:51 at age 54, who never regretted becoming a nun and getting into running so late in life. Nina Kuscsik who ran her first marathon in 1969 in Boston even though they did not officially allow women to run. The story of Paul Mbugua who described the running culture in Kenya and how his life consists of nothing but running. It made me feel ridiculous about training for a marathon while working full time and having all these different interests. Ted Corbitt who would get stopped by the police when he ran, who went on to represent the U.S. in a number of long distance races. I loved how he described the Brits called distance running "having a go at it" when he did the 52.5-mile London-to-Brighton. Everyone had a different reason for running a marathon, everyone had a unique experience and every story was beautiful.

[Carianne Carleo-Evangelist · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of runners' stories of their first marathons. It's everything from back of the pack new runners to a Kenyan elite and Nina Kucscik, the pioneer of women's running. Some of those profiled were in their teens when they ran, and others in their 50s-all eager to share their stories and how they got to their first 26.2
The interesting thing was how old this is (late 90s) so while you had charity runners, you didn't have the heartbreaking stories of the last two decades. While this was after the boom in running, there was nowhere near the volume of marathon runners there are today.
A fun read

[Sydney Spires · Rating 4 out of 5]

The key to my heart is definitely personal anecdotes/memoirs, especially when they’re narrated well, so this book was a huge winner (every chapter was a different marathon runner telling the story of their first marathon). As a non-marathon runner I really really appreciated this book.

[Destiny Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running is my current hyper fixation hobby and I am glad I found this. Not sure when I'll do a marathon but I have my first race (the Indy-Mini 500) coming up in the spring and can't wait.exxiting to hear how other people started running and how it has transformed their lives.

[Joni Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super fun reading about marathon firsts in the 90's when this was published.

[Guy McArthur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the tales of marathoners, talking about how running improved their lives in many different, often unexpected, ways.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued by this distance until I ran one and now there's no intrigue!

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this one at Goodwill. I read a short chapter each night before turning out the lights. Inspirational and fun read!

[Bill Glose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I plowed through this book, but it took me a long time. Some of the stories were intriguing, but many were plodding. Were I not a runner myself, I probably would have given up.

[Jana Viktoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a gem!

The book for some reason came up in articles and podcasts lately - even though it is more than 20 years old. It was quite hard to get as well, but the hunt was totally worth it.

The stories within are all totally different from each other, but super inspiring. Can't say whether I was more impressed by the "life time athletes" (OMG, so cool to read about the early days of - female - marathoning! That was rogue running :-) ), the recklessness of some of the "anyone can run a marathon" daredevils or the people who were hesitant and then totally nailed it?!

And I can relate to so many of them... being tricked into the first really long run? Made sign-up for a half? Excitement pre-race? The weather question? Port-a-potty stories? Oh and the amazing feeling of crossing the finish line.

And while marathoning has changed quite a bit (so weird to read about the first NYC marathons, with just a few people... and no women! or Boston without all the precautions... ... and BQ times of 3:50?! I wish...) ...
These things don't change.

And I guess a Snickers bar might still be in the ring for race fuel - provided you can stomach it.

Re-reading the book, I still think it’s a good one. But I’m not as enthusiastic anymore. I’m going for my second marathon tomorrow, but it feels like the first one. As the first first one, I was a totally different person then. And maybe this is why I see the book differently now, all the stories in the book. Many of them are about how the marathon changed the people how they grew through the training and the race itself. I feel that my growth only really happened after my first marathon. And that is a story that is not told in the book… as I feel, there are many stories relating to a marathon that are not told in the book.

And that’s fair. It is still a good book. It is still an inspiration. I’m just saying, maybe there’s more to it.

[MLE · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book for my friend and I as an inspiring read before we did our first marathon together. She only read about 5 stories. I only got through 3/4 of the book. It was supposed to inspire us, however, it terrified us! Most of the stories talked about how grueling and painful running a marathon was... especially at mile 20! There was one story where the woman had a difficult time toward the end of her first marathon & after mile 20, she dedicated each of the remaining miles to someone. My friend and I did do this during our first marathon two weeks ago! It was a great thing for us to do mentally!
I did enjoy some of the stories but I felt a little discouraged and unconfident reading other people's first marathon memories. This worried me since running is 90% mental! But, I am happy to say that when we reached 20 miles... there was no wall :) I have a great, happy and inspiring first marathon tale to tell! The book was good, but I needed it to inspire me a little more.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most of the reviewers here, my main complaint is the writing. It seems like there was a really crappy editor who went over everyone's submissions and make them awful. Because otherwise, don't you think ONE of these people would have written well? Ugh. One of the things that sticks with me from several stories ago is the sentence "Not everybody can do this - I feel pretty amazing for having accomplished it" or some such and then a paragraph later: "I would encourage anyone thinking of marathon to do it! Everyone is capable of one!" ... Did you reread your entry at ALL!?

Apart from the writing (which is really hard to go APART from, being a former English teacher and avid reader of WELL WRITTEN books), the stories are fun, sad, funny, interesting, varied, and inspiring.

This book deserves two ratings - one for concept and one for writing. They would even out to a 2.5. :)

[JC · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Copied from my Amazon.com review from Dec. 1999)
I want to buy this book for everyone I know because I firmly believe, after reading this book and having run my first marathon, that ANYONE can do it. I became so involved in the stories of these people, I couldn't put the book down and when I reached the end, I wanted more. So I ran my own marathon. I opened the book again, after I'd run the 26.2 mile monster, and randomly picked one of the stories...I started to cry because it suddenly meant so much to me. If you read this book, not only will you want to run a marathon, you'll believe you can make it happen.

[Lesley Looper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading these first-time experiences! I liked the variation between novice and elite runners. There were some common threads, but other things were different about the experiences. Sometimes the writing (or editing?) seemed a little choppy, but it didn't distract me too much, since it's a subject of high interest to me. I signed up for my first marathon this week, and eventhough it isn't until November, this book was a good reminder that it's not too early to start getting ready for it!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book 10-12 years ago when I really really wanted to run a marathon. I tried to get into the St. George Marathon and didn't make the lottery - twice. Right now I have no desire to do such a thing to myself. This book is really fun though because there are stories that have made me laugh and some had made me cry. I like it so far because it reminds me to be my best self. It is inspirational becaue the common thread between the stories is that they all wanted to be better - a better version of themselves. Great.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having run several marathons myself, I was curious as to what others had been thinking before they ran their first one. So many of the people who wrote spoke to the same motivations that I had, including that they thought, as did I, that the first would be the last. Happily, some went on to run others as did I. What DID surprise me was that some ran with no preparation whatsoever. THAT I would never have done. If anything, I had to be careful not to over-train. A good read, entertaining and inspiring.

[Jill Corbett]

I loved this book! Several different people, including Bill Rogers and several other exceptional distance runners, tell their story of how their first marathon went down. Each person had their own motivation and method of training. I found it fascinating to learn how very different each story was. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about marathons or anyone who wants to run one!

[Sten Bolander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me think back of when I ran my first (and only) marathon, San Francisco Marathon, 1986. I was only 20. Reading about how others experienced their first was enlightening, and encouraging, and makes me want to run another marathon, now 24 years later. I always think how much training it takes, but as the author noted, "It's the day you can always look back on when you need a lift."

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good info, good advice. Didn't expect so many horror stories though. Nearly every1 wrote about how hard the last 6 miles are. Not looking forward to that. I am looking forward to that feeling, everyone felt at the finish line! But I still question myself on Can I do it? Can I go the whole 26.2 miles?

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are preparing for your first marathon, this is a great book to read in the weeks leading up to the race. It really helped to calm my nerves before the 26.2 "monster" and to be realistic about what to expect during the race - hitting the "wall", pain, muscle cramps, etc.