When it comes to endurance events, there are few as challenging as a marathon. That's why so many people who train have found that the experience has changed them in many ways. For some, it's the physical and mental strength they gain from training and competing; for others, it's simply an opportunity to raise money for their favorite charity or cause. Whatever your reason for running a marathon, here are the top reasons why you should train for a marathon today:

Improves your cardiovascular health

Marathon training is a great way to improve your cardiovascular health. The more you train, the greater your body's ability to endure long periods of time without oxygen. This means that you'll have more stamina during activities and feel less fatigue when exercising for extended periods of time.

There are several benefits that come from improved cardiovascular health:

• An increase in red blood cells--which allow for an increased amount of oxygen in the blood--allows for more efficient movement throughout your body.
• An increase in heart size allows for a greater amount of blood pumped by your heart per minute.
• An increase in immune system functioning allows you not only to recover faster after workouts but also helps prevent infections.

Boosts mood

Training for and running your first marathon can help you feel better about yourself, both physically and mentally. There are two main ways exercise helps boost mood: endorphins and runner's high. Endorphins are released when you exercise, creating a positive feeling that can last up to 12 hours afterward. A runner's high is the sensation of euphoria experienced after an intense workout, which has been attributed to endorphins as well as other chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin which regulate mood. Exercise also provides many physical benefits that may improve your overall sense of self-worth and happiness—it can increase energy levels, decrease stress levels, and reduce fatigue or fatigue-associated symptoms like anxiety and depression.

Strengthens your muscles

When you train for a marathon, you're putting stress on your muscles so that they grow and strengthen. When your muscles grow and strengthen, they become more efficient at performing tasks like running long distances. As your muscles become stronger and more efficient at running long distances, they require less oxygen to do so—and this means that less lactic acid builds up in them during exercise.

Reduces stress

It's a fact: stress is a normal part of life. But for some people, stress can quickly become overwhelming and debilitating. In the short term, chronic stress can lead to headaches and stomach problems. In the long term, it may contribute to anxiety disorders and cardiovascular disease.

Running has been shown in numerous studies over the past few years not only to lower one's overall levels of cortisol a hormone associated with stress but also to help fight depression or anxiety. When you run, your body releases endorphins—chemicals that help reduce pain and make you feel good. They also give you a boost in energy, which can help you get through your day.

Gets you in shape fast

The great thing about training for a marathon is that it can get you in shape fast.

When you run, you're using your muscles to propel yourself forward and keep yourself balanced. This is a great way to get in shape because it's a full-body workout that uses every muscle in your body. Plus, the more you run, the more calories you'll burn and the more weight you'll lose!

Helps you sleep better

There are many ways that training for a marathon can help you sleep better. The first is that it will help you get into the habit of going to bed at a certain time, which is an important part of sleeping well.

Another way that training for a marathon helps you sleep better is by making sure that your body is as healthy as possible. This means eating well and getting plenty of exercises. A healthy body will not only make you feel better but also be more able to fall asleep easily at night, which is important for getting restful sleep.

Meet new friends

The marathon community is an amazing one. It’s made up of people who have a common interest and a common goal—running a certain number of miles in a certain amount of time. You’ll make friends at races, and join running groups or clubs.

Marathons bring people together because they all share one goal: getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible. You’re all going through similar experiences, so you can reach out for support if needed—and get great advice from fellow runners who have been where you are now!

Support a good cause

You can also raise money for a good cause. Walking or running marathons is a great way to raise awareness for causes that you care about. Many people who run marathons are passionate about helping others, so they take the opportunity to fundraise on behalf of organizations that are important to them.

You'll be a role model

You will be a role model and an inspiration to every person that sees you working out or running. You'll give them hope and motivation to do their best in life and reach their goals, whether those goals be personal or professional achievements.

Your friends, family members, and colleagues will probably all look up to you with admiration when they see your progress on Instagram feeds and Facebook posts of your training routine. They'll feel inspired by your persistence as they bounce back from their own challenges through the power of wellness habits like daily exercise regimes or eating healthier meals than they had before they met you!

Gives you a new community

Running is an incredibly social sport, and it's not uncommon for runners to form bonds with other runners at the gym or on social media. When you train for a marathon, you'll meet people who are in the same situation as you: striving for something bigger than themselves, having set goals and dreams that require dedication and hard work.

Boosts confidence

Training for a marathon is a great way to boost your confidence. When you start out, it's common to feel intimidated by the distance and the challenge of training all that time, but in reality, the marathon is much easier than most people think it will be. You'll find that once you get into the swing of things and see how much progress you've made, your confidence will soar. Seeing yourself improve week after week will give you an amazing sense of accomplishment that can carry over into other areas of life as well.

Conclusion

There’s a reason marathons are so popular. They can be a great way to improve your health, reduce stress and find motivation in life. But they’re also challenging and require dedication! So if you're looking for a fun and challenging sport to try, start training for a marathon today!