OWL-DRAGON

MARATHONS

There are many good reasons to run but the desire to run a marathon is not one of them. Each year people pick out a marathon, sometimes for a charity (you pledge to raise a certain amount and the charity supports you with training, travel arrangements, etc.), train for that event and then never run again. There is usually no problem with this but sometimes it leads to injuries, poor preparation and a bad experience.

The marathon is based on the legend of Pheidippides who ran from Marathon to Athens to announce a great Greek victory. It was an event in the 1896 Olympics (although it was in the 1908 London Olympics that created 26 miles and the 1924 Paris Olympics where 26.2 miles was set).

It is often said that the Marathon is race of two parts. The first 20 miles and then a 10K (the last 6.2). Another bromide is that anyone can run 20 miles but only the prepared can run 26.2.

Talk to anyone who has done the distance and they will tell you that at some time during the race you are going to think this is the dumbest thing I ever did and I will never do this again. But inevitably some of us finish and say I could do that better, faster, different and will do it again (and again).

Truth be told there is nothing sensible about doing a marathon. It is physically demanding and will take its toll in injuries. It takes a great deal of training (I like to joke that it becomes a part time job.) But ... it is addictive. There is that feeling that you have used up ever ounce of your being - that you will never be that exhausted and spent. And while this is an exaggeration it comes close - you feel you have challenged death itself and defied it. The death march to the finished is swiftly followed by the exhilaration of conquest. You have survived and as the life flows back into your aching body a feeling of superiority infuses you. You have accomplished something unique. It's probably similar to the feeling marines have on completion of boot camp. You look on others as mere mortals - you have glimpse the other side and have come back.

There is much more to say about the marathon but I will leave you with one of the best sites about the marathon. MarathonGuide links to almost all the marathons in the US and many throughout the world. It will give you links to history, training, and much more.

Just remember the marathon is a long term commitment. Preparation should take a least a year and better yet two years. Later I talk about a training program.