Why has “running” come to mean “marathon?”

A friend in her blog http://www.traineveryday.com/ asked the rhetorical question: “Do I need to run a marathon?” So I thought I’d consider the subject here.

I’ve received the same queries about marathons over the years. When the conversation turns to running I am invariably asked, “Oh, what marathons have you run?”

Since I started running years ago with my daughter, the marathon has not really entered my running equations. However, once that same daughter suggested that the two of us train for the Chicago Marathon (she really wanted to run the Paris Marathon) as it was the year of her 25th birthday and my 55th birthday. The symmetry seemed good and I was open to the plan. In the meantime we joined a team for the River-To-River relay in southern Illinois. A beautiful, hot, hilly and a fun racing experience except that Elizabeth developed a stress fracture in one of her feet and that put an end to our marathon. We’ve never looked back.

So why do so many people seem to think that “running” equals “marathon?”

Like my blogging friend, it seems to me that the marathon has become the running event of choice lately. I believe that the number of marathons is up as is the number of participants (I guess that makes sense!) As to why the numbers are up? I can only guess. One guess is that as charities have increased their use of marathons as fund-raising events the number of participants supporting those charities has also increased.

Consequently, with bigger numbers of participants these marathon events get more coverage in the general press and, especially, in the athletic/sport press. So, many more folks assume that running a marathon is the way to go. In short, more participants beget even more participants.

As I said earlier, marathons have never been my running things. (And I’m proud of that somewhat rebellious position!) The thought of spending 3+ hours on my feet running just doesn’t do it for me. I’m sure that those who run marathons finish each one with a tremendous sense of accomplishment or disappointment. The same senses that I have in races from 5K to half-marathons only I’m not on my feet for the extended time it takes to run the marathon distance.

For me, racing is racing. There is a difference between running and racing. When I race a 5K it is a very intense experience for me. It includes total concentration on getting to the finish line as fast as I can on that day. It is fighting off the negative demons who are telling me in mile 2 that I went out way too fast and I’m going to die (figuratively). It is pushing legs that have passed the pain of lactic acid buildup and are numb for the final 400 meters. It is gasping for air in the chute. It is your eyes wide open and bulging at the finish line (not a cool look which is why I used to wear sun glasses.)

So, from my point of view running doesn’t equal marathoning. But… if you’re running a marathon and need some moral support, I’m there for you during your planning, during your training, and during your marathon. I’ll even accompany you during the second half of your event.

To each his or her own whether it’s 800 meters or an ultra enjoy your times on the roads and paths and trails.

A golden evening

Yesterday evening was golden.  68 degrees, a very slight breeze and glorious sun and the best workout of 400 meter repeats.  400 meters... one lap of the track... just one circuit of the oval... simple.  Now run that lap nine times!  Ha!

A smallish group including Lee, Kevin, Matt, Rudi, Mark running the workout.  Jeff recovering and Margaret nursing a plantar wart and cheering from her chair.  

Photos of the evening below and... following the photos a note from Jim Spivey on our golden evening workout.

Jim sets the plan.

All set... You bet!
Words of wisdom
The golden evening
Matt at speed
Boston gear
Finished
Stories
MF in repose

And now words from Jim!

 To all, 
        I hope Friday is G-R-E-A-T and the 400's were fun and the times 
either JT or JS wrote down were amazing. 

        We had a great workout last night, running on the Glen Ellyn track 
by Lake Ellyn in 68 degree weather.  Matt ran 73, 74 and 72 for his good 
400's and his slowest was :80.  Rudi, recovering from flying back from 
Nigeria, ran 6 in the 80-84 range; Kevin Kelly had by far his best workout 
of the year, running  the goods between 1:43 and 1:46, and all under 1:58. 
 Rich, with Diane and Brad in the AM by themselves, ran 147, 145 and 141 
for his goods and all under 1:57- The last 2 weeks for him have been his 
best training since 2007.  It was, a great day to be alive, running on the 
track, and kicking the tracks rear end.  We sat on the grass after the 
workout, gloating, like the Gladiator sitting on top of challenger they 
have just slayed, for 20 minutes.  See Rich's Blog for photos of last 
night's workout which I am sure will be up over the weekend:     
http://richasiseeit.blogspot.com/ 

      To me, this is what running is about.  Training through the tough 
times, be it snow, rain, bad weather, and trying to find the motivation to 
get that one more workout in.  Putting in the runs when no one is 
watching.  Maybe that is the thing about training ... the "one" thing. 
Those runs, that only the front door of your house knows that you put it 
in, and the towel after the shower.  A family member may come in and see 
paper stuffed in your shoes on a rainy day, and wonder why.  I push myself 
through those days, to have days like last night on the track. 

     After the first 400, you wonder, "can I hit all that fast?"  You get 
through the first set with little effort, and think, "I have a chance," to 
hit all my times under some allusive number that you now set in your mind. 
 The second set has more concentration required, and doubt begins to creep 
in - this set strains the body.  But then you convince yourself on the 
recovery lap: "It is only one more set."  The last set starts off good, 
and your body clings for the air that is going down after the good 400. 
But you want to leave your mark on the track, what you write in your 
training log, what you talk about tomorrow, that you rode high. 

The 8th 400 - maybe the toughest one for the day.  In your mind, you know 
that you can run this one slow after the 7th fast interval, yet, you also 
know that times will be talked about, posted, written about, and you will 
say "I ran my fastest ones at this pace, but, my slowest one was ....  " 
This is the interval that challenges the mind.  You run, and become 
"Comfortably Numb," as made famous by the song.  The finish line is 
crossed, and a time recorded.  The last 400 is easy. 

Then, you can sit on the ground, with your friends, people you would go to 
battle with and know they would carry you off the battlefield if you fell, 
and bask in the sun.  I can remember days at Indiana University, sitting 
on the track with my friends, victorious, letting the sun be soaked up. 
The workout was over, no more intervals for the day.  Everyone had a 
smile, and the books, rent, calling home, fixing the car, dinner - all 
that all could wait.  Just to sit, and reflect, and try to soak up as much 
as you could, to remember: To help you through those days when no one knew 
you were running.  How many days like this helped me get through the 2 a 
days for 13 years?  Too many to count. 

Let's just say they are too few.  Because one of the requirements of the 
Great workout is that "everyone," has to have had a great workout.  Then, 
it can be written down:  "All had a great day." 

For the Nashville crew:  Tom Carr is a good friend, and put on a race 
recently.  See his note below, and please give recommendations to race 
management.  You can reply directly to him. 
js