Why I Run: 8 Inspirational Stories Of Marathon Runners

Running your first marathon is all about perseverance, dedication and a healthy dose of motivation. Think you don't have what it takes? Think again. Get inspired by listening to these eight runners tell their stories of beating the odds, overcoming obstacles, and pushing on to the finish line.

"I got diagnosed with Lupus ... I couldn't run. It was miserable ...
Of course, I'm gonna turn around and try to beat that."



"[My son] needs me to be fun, happy, cheerful, joyful, bubbly. He loves that. He feeds off of that."


"All my dad ever wanted was for me to live a healthy lifestyle."


"Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Yeah."


"The marathon's like life ... Some days are good, some days are bad,
but you just keep moving forward."


"I've always struggled with my weight. I had some serious self-esteem issues. I finally decided to just take care of Veronica."



"Running for me is like a therapy ... I love it."



"I was as lazy and out of shape as just about anyone ...
If I can do it, believe me, anyone can do it."


We want to hear your story, too! Why do you run? Tell us in the comments below.

Not ready to run a marathon, but still looking to make strides toward a healthier lifestyle? Check out 8 Easy Ways to Sneak in More Steps Each Day.

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