Mind over body

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For me, the marathon experience makes most other things in life seem easy, physical or otherwise. It's a top reason why I love the sport. Marathons have also propelled me into ultra racing, where competitors run, bike or trek for 24 hours straight or longer. To other (maybe more normal) runners, marathons can boost the ego and breed mental toughness or self-confidence.

"I have to overcome day after day where I just don't feel like training," said Deborah Bohmann, a 33-year-old attorney in the MDRA group who will run her 10th marathon this fall. "But your mind always wins out over your body, and you make yourself get up."