26.2m...42k...always a Marathon

[Sandy]

     A marathon is 26.2 miles or 42k, always. It is never 5k, or 10k or any other distance. The marathon got its name from Philippides also known as Pheidippides, who ran from Marathon to Athens to proclaim they had won a battle. The distance was 25 miles and he died at the end, but don't use this as an excuse not to try a marathon, he had already run 300 miles and fought a battle in the two days prior to his "marathon". The extra 1.2 miles was added with the London marathon in the 1908 Olympics to cover the ground from Windsor Castle to White City Stadium, to finish in front of King Edward VII's royal box.
     People are marathoning in record numbers, particularly women who comprised 51% of the 615 available marathons in 2008. A number of runners use fundraising as their motivation, but the majority of runners still run for the physical and mental challenge. Along with most marathons come half marathons (13.1 miles or 21k) run on the same day but not always at the same time.   It is recommended that those contemplating the marathon distance have been running for at least a year to prevent injuries or to undergo a gait, flexibility and strength assessment to rule out the potential for injury.
     Marathons are chosen for a variety of reasons.
Time of Year:
If you like cold weather running, a spring race would suit you better than a fall race, which requires you to train through heat and humidity.
Size:
A large race can have 20,000 runners plus, which makes running a PR or fast race difficult but provides lots of motivation, including spectators. A race with a few hundred participants may give you lots of room to run, but no medal and little race time company.
Location:
If you must travel it can get expensive, even if it is just 2 hours away. With an early morning start you would either have to get up early to get parked and get to the race site or stay overnight with hotel and restaurant costs. Aside from the cost, consider the impact of not sleeping in your own bed or having your own food handy. Also consider your race terrain and weather conditions. If you can't train under similar conditions at home, it is probably not a good race choice. An extended holiday to acclimate yourself at your race location may be required, so think about the potential stress this may add to your vacation time.
Variety
After the thrill of your first marathon finish line you may seek a race that is different in  how it?s run; see  http://www.powerofchoice.org/run4rkids.html or what you get for running it from hams to beer steins.
____________________

     2,500 years after Philippides died, Monica Chokly (4:13:51) and John Anderson (4:16:05) participated in the 28th Athens Marathon in Greece with 12,500 other runners.  Howard Ziendenberg ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 3:56:29 and Duncan Cooper ran the Slainte Downhill 10k in 52:14.

[Kate]

WOW ...
My goal is to complete one.  Yes one.  And hopefully before I am 50 (yes I know ... thanks for not reminding me).
In the meantime, for every single one of you who has stepped up to the challenge, whether once or more than once, I stand in awe.

[NancyR]

Great read Sandy, thanks!

You can do it Kate :)))

Nancy

[The Moose1]

Tired of hearing "How far was this marathon?", or did you overhear, "I just ran my first 5k marathon" one too many times?

 

Mike

[runforrestrun]

so glad to hear I'm not the only one who has noticed (and been slightly bothered by) the amount of people who refer to 10k's and such as "marathons".  Just the other day someone was asking me about my most recent half...then we got talking about a full that I had run.  This person then told that her niece was training for an upcomng marathon. I was immediately curious as to what marathon she'd be doing in December.  After a couple of questions I found out her niece is doing a 10k in her hometown.  I bit my tongue...

[runningwild]

Haha, your self-restraint is better than mine!!  The last time I heard someone talking about running a marathon that actually turned out to be a 5k, I couldn't help but say "Um, you do realize that an actual MARATHON is 42k!?"  Needless to say, the person was a little miffed at me for putting a damper on her bragging rights!

While I'd love to run a marathon, the idea scares the hell out of me!!  To all of you who have accomplished the feat, or even attempted it, I applaud you!

[Rhonda]

My mom asks me every time I do a marathon "How long is this one?" I can't get irritated with the question because she is just as proud and amazed at me no matter if it's 42k or 5k.

My daughters hockey coach asked me..."Did you do the whole thing?" LOL

[NancyR]

Interesting feedback. I have always known "what a Marathon is" but clearly many people don't. We can hope Sandy's article educates some more!

What I still find slightly irritating are people who look at you like your running accomplishment isn't any big deal. Now that I can do 10k+, 5k easy- but there was a time when I was amazed I did 5k and people would say to me "is that all" or "30 minutes of running, that's not much" etc etc. but I excuse them - they are not runners...

Rhonda that is lovely about your mom, sounds like mine :)

Mike a "5k marathon" does sound funny!

Nancy

[Sandy]

   I didn't know we were related Rhonda...we must have the same Mom!!!  Gotta love them!

It used to annoy me more but I hear it so often that I think I've become immune.  I do have a little fun and always respond with "where is your 42k race" or "which 42k race are you doing?"  I am often met with "oh no I'm running a 5k" which provides the opportunity for "gently" educating someone on the actual distance of a marathon.

On the other end Nancy your point is very valid.  It seems that as we progress up the distances we fall into the trap of saying "I'm only running 5k" when just getting off the couch is huge for some people.  I try not to do it but found myself uttering those exact words just last week.    OOOppsss. 

[tire guy]

when just getting off the couch is huge for some people.  I try not to do it but found myself uttering those exact words just last week.    OOOppsss

yes & it still stings  your soooo mean

[Sandy]

Hey if the couch fits...it's time to go running! 

[Rhonda]

Well Sandy I do notice a similarity in our leg length....you never know 
I have 3 friends who got me through my first marathon and crossed the line with me at the 5+ hour mark. One of the girls (who is consistantly a 3:25 marathoner) laughs when she tells me people think that marathon was her best one to date because it took her the longest!

[David]

Well it's something I never thought I would ever hear myself say "hey I enjoy running"! Maybe because I am doing for me now and not my job so much anymore. It also helps having such knowledgeable people around you to motivate and ensure that you are doing it right. So thanks to the Tri and Run gang for getting me hooked.

Dave

[Jane]

I find that people at work will say, "Hey, I saw you out running on Sunday morning.  How far did you go?"  And even if I say 5K they usually reply, "Wow, I couldn't even do 1K" to which I respond, "If I can, anyone can."  Many times when I have said I was running 10K, they will say that they know so-and-so who ran a marathon like that.   

It used to bug me that people would say they were doing a 10K marathon, or they know someone who did one.  It doesn't bug me any more.  Maybe I am mellowing in my old age, or there are just other more important things to get worked up about.  I must say I never even thought of how long a marathon was before I started running.  So I was probably as uninformed as these people.  Fortunately, I had Sandy teaching me all about running so I learned all these interesting facts.  Not everyone who is getting into running is that lucky to have someone to mentor them and teach them all the terminology and ins and outs.   But if you are a runner and have been running for any length of time, you will now what a marathon distance is, and how hard it is.  By saying you ran a 10K marathon just shows that you don't have much running experience.   Sooner or later someone will educate you.  Hopefully nicely.   

 

[Kate]

But if you are a runner and have been running for any length of time, you will now what a marathon distance is, and how hard it is.  By saying you ran a 10K marathon just shows that you don't have much running experience.   Sooner or later someone will educate you.  Hopefully nicely.

Well said, Jane!