On a recent beautiful fall Sunday I went out to cheer on the racers at the Columbus Marathon. It's funny -- I can't imagine running 26+ miles, yet I think (almost) nothing of riding 100 miles. My friends took anywhere from 3+ hours to 5+ hours -- I've regularly spent more than 5 hours on my bicycle -- but yet running 26 miles, 385 yards seems inhuman, unattainable.
Running the marathon may be alot like riding -- the runners, much like the cyclists, come in all sizes, shapes, ages and abilities. Some were walking by the 19 mile mark, some seemed like they couldn't go on, some were chatting away with friends. There were a few with support runners or on bicycles pointing out how many C-bus marathons they had run -- these were 70 year old men and still going strong! At the 21 mile mark I saw a guy literally holding up his friend, willing him along. I imagined Kathy crying as she watched, and I'll admit their courage, dedication, and spunk made me well up with tears too. Something about human suffering and athletic contests.
Much is said historically about the first "marathon" -- we know for sure that the distance was made up as it has fluctuated so much over the years, although still based loosely on the historically based, best possible route taken.
In 490 B.C. Pheidippidies was sent as a messenger from Marathon to Athens to proclaim that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon of the Greco-Persian war. He purportedely announced "We have won", collapsed and died. Some tales have him running 150 each way Athens to Sparta asking for help but Athenon didn't have the same ring so Marathon is was. And I would collapse and die too, if I ran 150 miles without stopping.
I've never really considered running a marathon, my body doesn't really like the pounding and I've always felt it was such an insurmountable goal, but in watching all the different types and just the thrill of the challenge -- heck I'm thinking of tackling one of them thar' marathons! My friend by the way finished her first marathon in just over 5 hours. It was so exciting to sit out there, cheering everyone on, ringing my cowbell, and proding her onward. What an accomplishment.
Marathon anyone?
Marathon anyone?
I always think that would be cool just to say I've done it, but the training....ugh. I think that would be worse than the actual event. I've run about 12 miles as my "long" runs. I could run further. I was going to do a half marathon on Halloween, but decided to do the 5k with Falicia. Her first one that she ran. She did it without stopping. I actually placed 2nd in my age group, which I was surprised. That's the first I've ever placed in an event.
ReplyDeleteSo, Marathon? Maybe...
I was sooo proud of Falicia - she ran the whole way, in the rain, her fist. WAY TO GO.
ReplyDeletefirst, her first
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your friend ~ and to Falicia. I used to run for field hockey ~ and then ran the 440 in track. Always wished I was a runner but my knees and ankles say otherwise ~ marathan? I don't think so ~ but I will be happy to stand on the side and ring my bell :-)
ReplyDeleteLove those cow bells - so many uses, cycling races, triathalons, runs - but I feel left out - none for champion gardeners. CB - want to come ring for me while I weed?
ReplyDeleteCowbells for the master gardener weeder -- I'm in!!!
ReplyDeleteOh and Joe -- I wasn't going to train -- nah -- let's just wing it!!!
Sure thing ~ I can ring a cowbell for anything :-) I'll cheer for each weed you pull ~ encourage you to not give up till the work is done :-)
ReplyDeleteWing it? Hmmmm.... I wing it on my bike rides, but man, that's a long run. I ran a 5k this morning without having done a lot of running recently. I about died. Set a personal record though.... only by 2 seconds, but still. Not bad for not training at all.
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