What does a marathon do for your application? (And have you run one?)

[diesels]

So at BYU we had a pre-health professions adviser (Don Bloxham) who was very well known and respected by admissions committees of schools around the nation. He was a great asset and knew everything about what schools look for (after 25+ years, he could answer with authority almost any question you had). Anyway, he was/is personally obsessed with jogging and running marathons and insisted how great it is to boost your application strength by having run a marathon. He asked everybody if or when they were planning on a marathon.

I'm a runner and have always had the goal, and in June I ran the San Diego Rock 'n Roll marathon. Anyway, the guy retired last year and when I was preparing my app the new adviser suggested that it really isn't worth a spot on your activities section on AADSAS app. I put it on, I thought it was good, but of course each school may look at it differently. I think it shows that I can balance time to train for a marathon, I am concerned about my own health, and that I can work hard to obtain a challenging goal.

What do you think? A boost for an application?

ps - If you want to know what it feels like to run a marathon, it's a lot like the DAT, except physically more painful and exhausting. However, the anxiety beforehand and the relief afterwards was the same.

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[1992Corolla]

It doesn't hurt which gives two outcomes: It will help, or it won't.

My guess is that it will show that you are well rounded.

 

[uesider]

The half-marathon is on my app, and I tore a ligament and couldn't run it 🙁 It's actually today! I feel awful about it, but there was nothing I could do... at the time of app, I was running 8 miles a day. I'm definitely trying to sign up for the next one. I don't think it boosts your app too much, but does give you something to talk about on an interview and shows you have a wide variety of interests and goals.

 

[vhh007]

I'm running my first half marathon in 2 months and I will be sure to mention it if asked my outside interests during interviews. training sure does take up a lot of time, lol

 

[fancymylotus]

i think if i tried to run a marathon i would die. dieeeeeeeeeee😱

 

[Doogie Howser]

it should help. it also shows that you are willing to work really hard to achieve a goal and that you understand that it takes a lot of time and hard work to achieve big goals.

but don't fall into the mistake that a lot of marathon runners make. Just mention it once with those qualities attached to it, but not again. Anyone I know that has ever run a marathon seems to slip it into every conversation that they ever have, over and over and over and over and over and over and over. I understand that they are proud of it, but its a bit excessive to talk about it a lot.

it should make you look like a well rounded person who knows how to balance training and school and knows how to work really hard to achieve something that you want. a great place to say that (in my opinion), is in your personal statement.

 

[Istr8nthem]

When applying to dental school, I had run several marathons all over the country and mentioned that in my interest section. In fact, dental school is much like a marathon, there are several times that you think it is impossible to finish, but for some reason you just keep plugging along and when you finish it feels great even though you want to collapse and sleep forever only to start your 3 year residency program 3 weeks after graduating (this is my analogy as it happened for me). In all honesty, anything that you can write on your application that makes you stand out and shows that you are a very motivated individual will be respected by ADCOMs and will most likely even be a subject of conversation in an interview. When I interviewed we talked a bit about my experiences with marathons and I mentioned that I wanted to continue to train while in dental school, which got a few strange looks of disbelief, but I managed to train for 2 marathons and run 1 while in dental school... it's not impossible to do and gives you a great stress ventilation medium. I highly recommend it (or just running in general, start with 5k's and work up!!).

 

[blueyes34]

I think it would look great on your application since running is not only a physical activity, but a mental activity. Marathons require great mental control to keep pushing yourself, and if you can push yourself to the heightened demands of running a marathon....then it is well worth putting on your application. It also demonstrates that you are well rounded beyond school...and you probably have a 6 pack. The adcoms will love that.😀

 

[dental0903]

I've run a full marathon and 3 half marathons and while I didn't put those accomplishments directly on my application, I did list a running club that I'm involved with. I plan on talking about running a marathon at any interview that I get because it is incredibly hard both physically and mentally, and takes a tremendous amount of time to train for. Plus, running is a major part of my life, so any question such as "tell me about yourself" would definitley include at least a mention of running. I definitely would at least mention it because there is a reason why not many 20somethings do marathons: it takes a lot of discipline and hard work, and it just so happens that those are good qualities to have for dental school too!

 

[SugarNaCl]

Actually, I would think the 2 were fairly unrelated, but in my orientation 2 different speakers asked who in the class had run a marathon or a triathalon. After that, I would say DEFINITELY it could serve to boost your application. I was amazed. I guess it would show dedication and working towards a goal and that you aren't lazy. I mean not many people can run a marathon with 2 days of training. As you know, it's hard work.

 

[denticus]

Don Bloxam was always nice to me because I ran for BYU. He seemed to be pretty brutal on my friends though. I liked him because he would scare students away from applying to dental school. Now that he's gone, there are predents all over BYU; way more then before when he was here!

 

[tj54]

i'm just curious to see...
did you all train on your own, or did you get involved with some type of "[insert school name] marathon team"

 

[Cymbidium]

I've run 3 - trained for NYC twice on my own and LA with a training group. I have a basic training plan if anyone is interested PM me and I'll email it to you.

 

[Cymbidium]

Just noticed this thread is from August! Anyway, yes, I put all of my marathons on my application.

 

[tigertooth08]

I don't run marathons yet, but I recently took up running and have done a few 5ks. I have asthma and I want to keep my lungs as strong as possible... so it's an uphill battle.

I actually talked about how much I love the outdoors in one of my interviews. It helped make the interview much more personal. I think my connection with that interviewer helped me get in. We went way over our alloted time talking about common interests.

 

[MonchichiMan]

I ran the ST George Marathon in 06. I also ran the Wasatch Back Relay, which is a 178 mile race ran between 12 people from Logan to Park City Utah. Admissions committees loved it is something different, as well as showing dedication and hard work. This is what some said, others didn't mention anything. It is a great accomplishment no matter what and worth mentioning.

 

[MonchichiMan]

Another note, Don Bloxham is part of the reason I transfered from BYU. Ha ha. I didn't know he retired.

 

[airsimon]

Another note, Don Bloxham is part of the reason I transfered from BYU. Ha ha. I didn't know he retired.

Bloxham was annoying. I know a lot of kids who can't stand him. He told my brother in law he had no chance of getting into dental school but sure enough got accepted the same year. I guess his role was a "weeder" to find who really wanted to go into the field. I, personally, think he was successful in what he did. Just 4 or 5 years ago before he retired, BYU had a 99% matriculation rate into Dental school. Since then that's dropped to like 60%.

 

[Lurchdubious]

do they have 1/2K marathons? hah. i would have to train to even reach THAT. i love lifting weights, but running = pain to me, and not the good kinda pain. big dudes aren't meant to run~i guess i'm built for comfort, not speed. 😉

oh, but yeah i can definitely see how it could help your app. if you can run like the wind, go for it.

 

[swtcatastrophe]

have any of you dealt with knee problems? i was planning to run the boston half marathon back in october but started experiencing knee pain. maybe my workouts weren't well rounded enough? i really miss running. i've fallen out of the habit of exercising b/c the elliptical/bike isn't nearly as exhilirating as completing a 5 mile run to me. i am a naturally thin girl so i don't think too much pressure on my knees is the problem. if anyone has advice to help me start running again, i'd appreciate it. i've been doing some weight training for my quads but it's fairly sporadic right now. like i said nothing but running is very satisfying to me.

back on topic....i did include the half marathon on my app and i mentioned that i ran a charity 5k in the same section. it didn't come up in my interviews but i think as people have said it shows dedication and a willingness to work hard. plus, you know how to relieve stress--something that will come in handy in d-school i imagine.

 

[Lurchdubious]

have any of you dealt with knee problems?

this is mainly why i said running = pain. not so much while running, but for days afterwards. i played Offensive Tackle in high school. took a lotta cuts to the knees. ankles suck too. that's what i get for being 6'4" and 290. lol. sounds like you aren't very heavy tho. could just be genetic? my sister in law has naturally bad knees. had her first surgery at age 9.

 

[MonchichiMan]

You should take two tabs of glucosamine condrotin, it works to lubricate the joints. I use it when I run. My grandfather uses it for his knees and it has done wonder. It can be just bought like from Costco. We even give it, on vets recommendation to my dog who has hip dysplasia and it has done wonders. It can work for you. It help a lot for those 18 mile training days.

 

[bigstix808]

have any of you dealt with knee problems? i was planning to run the boston half marathon back in october but started experiencing knee pain. maybe my workouts weren't well rounded enough? i really miss running. i've fallen out of the habit of exercising b/c the elliptical/bike isn't nearly as exhilirating as completing a 5 mile run to me. i am a naturally thin girl so i don't think too much pressure on my knees is the problem. if anyone has advice to help me start running again, i'd appreciate it. i've been doing some weight training for my quads but it's fairly sporadic right now. like i said nothing but running is very satisfying to me.

keep those hammy's strong too. working just your quads can cause knee discompfort - and the glucosamine/chondroitin can't hurt either. i was a competitive gymnast til i finished high school and cheered all through college so i'm feelin ya on the bad joints...i just try to stay active and not let my joints get to idle b/c THAT is when i really feel it 😀

 

[Lurchdubious]

i've wondered about glucosamine chondroitin. so it really works eh? any particular brand o' pills? or just a Costco brand?

 

[MonchichiMan]

We have only used the costco brand and have really liked it. It is suppose to help build synovial fluids and lubricate the joints better. I wasn't so sure about it, but have seen good results. It cant hurt and try it to see if it works for you. It may not for everyone.

 

[UNR.Grad]

if anyone has advice to help me start running again, i'd appreciate it. i've been doing some weight training for my quads but it's fairly sporadic right now. like i said nothing but running is very satisfying to me.

Weight training won't help too much with running, unless you're doing very high reps with very low weight. Weight training will work your fast twitch muscles, but running (not sprinting) is using your aerobic slow twitch muscles. To get back into running shape I always just start slow and work my way up.

Good running shoes, that fit you properly, are critical for long distance. Old shoes loose their cushion/rebound, don't use worn out shoes; save those joints!

 

[sportygirl]

I just completed by first marathon in January! I have done 3 half marathons and 2 sprint triatholons along with 5K's, but I believe the shoes and pace are the keys to being a successful running. It's a good stress relief! I did not train much for my races so my next goal is to complete a training program and run a great race. Good luck to everyone!

 

[bigstix808]

i've wondered about glucosamine chondroitin. so it really works eh? any particular brand o' pills? or just a Costco brand?

the cheapest $ / PER SERVING. some brands are sly and will charge slightly less than what a brandname does, but serving size is only half as large, or twice as large making you think that you're getting a better deal. its all the same stuff so it really doesn't matter. some will claim that they have a better "delivery system", but you can't always believe the hype. just eat it with something in your stomach and you're GTG.

if you want to know some specifics of this stuff, or any other supp at that, feel free to PM me. I'm a biochem/physio grad student and have done some good research on stuff like this (exercise science related anyway). I'm also ACSM (american college of sports medicine) certified and have been a personal trainer since i was in HS.

sorry to get off topic, just trying to help a brotha out - jk 😀