If you have the motivation, you can run a marathon. Of course, how well you do depends on your training and your intrinsic abilities, and this will vary from person to person.

It used to be the case that people thought marathons were only the provenance of superstar athletes. It's understandable that people would have this perception, considering that the very first marathon runner (an ancient Greek man who sped from Marathon to Athens to deliver a message about a coming attack) died right after completing his run.

But mass participation marathons like the New York City Marathon showed this to be false. The NYC event started out in 1970 when there were only 55 finishers - now there are nearly thirty thousand runners each year. Similar numbers of runners are seen in other big cities around the world like London, Chicago and Tokyo. All this proves that marathons are for mortal men and women.

Of course, it's hard work. A lot of practice and dedication goes into completing a course. The people who run successfully are those who are very physically fit and who have trained faithfully. Perhaps they are regular athletes, perhaps they have already instated a healthy diet and training program. But marathon runners also include formerly overweight or unfit folks who decided to use a marathon as an excuse to get into shape.

Certainly, training for a marathon is a serious endeavor, and it's a hard way to get back into shape. In a marathon you run for 3 to 7 hours straight, which is very difficult considering that most people have trouble running even an hour at a time. It takes training--at least six months of it--to get to the point where your body can actually run for such a period of time.

If you are out of shape, you are probably looking at a much longer period than six months before your first marathon. You probably need to have been running regularly for a couple of years before even starting your six month marathon training schedule. But having a goal is essential to keep you motivated, so set some intermediate targets. Sure a marathon is the one you really want, but how about running a six miler or a ten miler? Getting those under you belt is essential progress towards a marathon.

Whether you think you are fit or reckon you need work, you should go see your physician first and get a health check. Unless you are lucky, your physician is not likely to be an expert in sports medicine, so you should not expect training advice. You want the doctor to tell you if you are fit enough to start training, and explain to you how to go about it safely.

Remember, preparation is key. Consult the internet or fitness or running magazines for much more information on this. Look for training schedules that you can follow. You will find some schedules for average folks (timelines for just managing to get through the whole course) as well as for speed demons and serious athletes. Don't push yourself harder than you can reasonably go. Pick the schedule that is appropriate to your skill level. Then stick to it: if it's cold, don't wimp out, just throw on a jacket and head out for your daily run!

As you approach the marathon date you will taper down. This means in the last two weeks you will run less and less - it is all in the schedule you will be following.

On the day of the marathon, do not get carried away. It is easy to set off way too fast and really struggle after half way. Getting used to being in races is one reason why you should do that six or ten miler I mentioned earlier. Watch your pace carefully, keep drinking water and the occasional energy drink... You will be fine, just like millions of other normal folk who have met the ultimate running challenge!