From Novice to Master(s) Level Athlete: A Longitudinal Analysis of Psychological Changes in a Marathon Runner Completing 119 Marathons
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
2.1. Motivations of Marathon Runners
2.2. Psychological Characteristics and Identity
2.3. Dynamic Nature of Psychological Evolution
2.4. Cultural and Societal Influences
2.5. Research Gaps and Future Directions
3. Methods
3.1. Participants
3.2. Procedure
3.3. Data Analysis
4. Results
4.1. Novice Period (1980–2003): Competitive Mindset and Self-Breakthrough
4.2. Intermediate Period (2003–2010): Reflection on Health and Transformation
4.3. Master(s) Level Athlete Period (2010–Present): Perpetuating the Marathon Legacy and Lifelong Running
- (1)
- Age and Goal Transition. Mr. A redirected his running goals from performance achievement to health and legacy. He stated, “At 56, I no longer focus on athlete performance outcomes,” indicating his acceptance of age-related physical changes and a shift toward long-term health and inspiration for the next generation;
- (2)
- Educator and Promoter’s Sense of Mission. Mr. A emphasized his role as an educator, noting, “As a teacher, I must set an example for my students and fellow runners.” He leveraged the “appeal” of running to help others develop a passion for the sport, using public welfare training camps and marathon courses to disseminate running culture more broadly;
- (3)
- Philanthropy and Social Contribution. Mr. A actively engaged in public welfare activities, viewing running as a means of social contribution. He stated, “Running has a unique charm that helps many people fall in love with it and build deep friendships.” He also facilitated resource connections, such as donations from Xtep, to support the next generation, demonstrating his philanthropic spirit and social responsibility. He mentioned, “I conduct public welfare training camps at the sports center every Monday and Friday evening, previously on Saturdays and Sundays at the Xiamen University track,” highlighting activities that not only benefited others but also enhanced his social standing as a marathon influencer.
5. Discussion
5.1. Dynamic Interplay of Motivation: From Singular Motives to Balanced Integration
5.2. Dynamic Reconstruction of Identity: From Individual Achievement to Social Legacy
5.3. Tripartite Interaction Model: Embedding Individual Evolution in the Sociocultural Context
6. Conclusions
7. Strengths
- (1)
- (This study provides a unique longitudinal perspective by examining the psychological evolution of a marathon runner across three distinct stages—novice, intermediate, and master(s) level athlete. This approach allows for a nuanced understanding of the dynamic changes in motivation, identity, and social roles over time, which is a significant improvement over cross-sectional studies that capture only a single point in time;
- (2)
- The study proposes a novel “motivation-physicality-society” interaction model. This model integrates frameworks from psychology (e.g., SOC theory), physiology (e.g., sociology of the body), and sociology (e.g., structuration theory). It addresses the fragmented explanations in sports psychology. For instance, it combines Baltes and Baltes’s (1990) focus on aging with Tajfel’s (1979) emphasis on social identity. It demonstrates how physiological decline and social roles jointly drive motivational changes;
- (3)
- This study situates its findings within the broader context of China’s marathon culture, highlighting how individual experiences are shaped by and contribute to socio-cultural transformations. This contextualization enriches the understanding of marathon running as a socio-cultural phenomenon and provides valuable insights for similar studies in other cultural settings.
8. Limitations
- (1)
- Single-Case Study Design. The reliance on a single case limits the generalizability of the findings. While the subject’s extensive experience and influence make him an ideal candidate for in-depth analysis, the results may not be representative of all marathon runners, particularly those with different backgrounds or experiences. Future research should consider multi-case studies or larger samples to enhance generalizability;
- (2)
- Cultural Specificity. The study’s focus on the Chinese cultural context may limit the applicability of the findings to other cultural settings. Future research should explore whether similar psychological trajectories and mechanisms are observed in marathon runners from different cultural backgrounds, thereby enhancing the generalizability of the “motivation-physicality-society” interaction model;
- (3)
- The three-stage model of exploring the dynamic interaction of motivation is useful, but it seems that there are other factors at play, especially during the “veteran/master level” period, which can be further explored in future research.
9. Future Research Directions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
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Selective Coding | Axial Coding | Open Coding/Cases |
---|---|---|
Competitive mindset | Self-demands as a professional athlete | My first marathon was driven by my lifelong passion for running, my background as a professional runner, and my academic focus on running. Despite being a specialist in the 800m track event and being 35 years old, I felt compelled to participate actively in the inaugural Xiamen Marathon. |
Tenacious spirit | Special promotional video for the 2024 Paris Olympics on CCTV (Ode to the Chinese Sports Spirit), filmed by me. The lifelong spirit of hard work serves as the foundation for continuous marathon running. | |
In middle school, I was so determined to win that I would have pushed myself to the limit. | ||
Running a marathon is not just about running; it’s about cultivating perseverance and a strong will. | ||
Self -breakthrough | Pride in completing arduous tasks | Each full marathon is tough, but finishing it brings immense satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. |
Adhered to a self-reliant | I may encounter minor injuries and sometimes get sick, but my name is hardworking, self-reliant, with good willpower and perseverance. | |
Professional self-restraint | My job as a sports teacher is another important factor driving my participation. |
Selective Coding | Axial Coding | Open Coding/Cases |
---|---|---|
Health-focused transformation | Health priority and sustainable running | As I got older, I no longer pushed myself to the limit. My focus shifted to maintaining health and performing to the best of my age. |
Now, health comes first. I prioritize body maintenance. | ||
I developed scientific training methods to avoid injuries. | ||
Professional responsibility and happy running | It’s embarrassing for a sports teacher to get injured while running. | |
joyful running, happy running, and gradual progress, emphasizing the importance of building a solid foundation before pursuing better performance. |
Selective Coding | Axial Coding | Open Coding/Cases |
---|---|---|
Perpetuating the Marathon Legacy | Age and Goal Transition | At 56, I no longer focus on athlete performance outcomes |
Educator and Promoter’s Sense of Mission | As a teacher, I must set an example for my students and fellow runners | |
Philanthropy and Social Contribution | Running has a unique charm that helps many people fall in love with it and build deep friendships. | |
I conduct public welfare training camps at the sports center every Monday and Friday evening, previously on Saturdays and Sundays at the Xiamen University track. | ||
I have connected Wang Rui, Deputy Secretary General of the Student China Care for the Next Generation Committee, to Wang Qiang, Special Assistant to the President of Xtep, and organized Xtep Group to donate clothes and backpacks to the next generation. | ||
I have gained many friendships and helped many people fall in love with running. A philanthropic heart. Work harder, there is a place for success, and become a marathon influencer. | ||
Lifelong running | Running as a lifelong endeavor | I want to run to 99. |
Running a marathon, unconsciously persisting for 10 years, sharpening a sword in 10 years, and choosing the 599 permanent number. | ||
Persistence and habit | Make habits second nature. And it’s also fate, it’s good that it’s here, and with more effort, it will become better and better. | |
Leadership | As a sports teacher, I practice what I preach and have been dedicated to my profession for 35 years | |
As a teacher, I need to set an example and lead by example when facing college students in physical education courses and fellow runners in public marathon training camps. |
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Liu, X.; Huang, L.; Lin, S. From Novice to Master(s) Level Athlete: A Longitudinal Analysis of Psychological Changes in a Marathon Runner Completing 119 Marathons. Behav. Sci. 2025, 15, 893. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15070893
Liu X, Huang L, Lin S. From Novice to Master(s) Level Athlete: A Longitudinal Analysis of Psychological Changes in a Marathon Runner Completing 119 Marathons. Behavioral Sciences. 2025; 15(7):893. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15070893
Chicago/Turabian StyleLiu, Xiuxia, Lisheng Huang, and Shunying Lin. 2025. "From Novice to Master(s) Level Athlete: A Longitudinal Analysis of Psychological Changes in a Marathon Runner Completing 119 Marathons" Behavioral Sciences 15, no. 7: 893. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15070893
APA StyleLiu, X., Huang, L., & Lin, S. (2025). From Novice to Master(s) Level Athlete: A Longitudinal Analysis of Psychological Changes in a Marathon Runner Completing 119 Marathons. Behavioral Sciences, 15(7), 893. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15070893