I’ll be the first to say how much I hate running, but I also have to admit I’m sorry I won’t be running those 26.2 miles in the New York City Marathon on November 6. I ran my first marathon two years ago on a brisk November morning in Richmond, Virginia. My third was just last month in Scranton, PA. The Richmond race was called America’s Friendliest Marathon, but the words ringing in my head that morning were, “What did I get myself into? Why would I pay $100 to do this to myself?” I guess a lot of people feel the same way, since less than 1% of the U.S. population has done it.

Still, it is something of a growing trend; roughly half-a-million people run one every year — and many celebrities have caught the marathon bug, too, including Oprah, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Edward Norton, and Ryan Reynolds. The truth is, marathons are sort of like potato chips… you can’t have (run) just one.

What is it about marathon running that’s so addictive? Obviously, there’s the feeling of accomplishment when your four months of grueling training pays off. Besides which, who doesn’t want to wear a medal around their neck? And, of course, let’s not forget the runner’s high — something all serious runners aspire to but few achieve — when the endorphins kick in, your body goes into autopilot, and you have an out-of-body experience where you don’t even realize you’re running.

For me, personally, though, the best part of running a marathon is the people cheering you on. The hardest thing isn’t the running itself, but the mental determination to finish. It’s just a 20 mile warm up with a 6.2 mile run. And the positive words and faces along the way make every step less grueling.

To anyone who’ll be out running through the five boroughs come November 6, best of luck; and remember, Advil is your best friend.