Today over at the Runners' Lounge is TIART, all based on marathon running.
I'll preface this post by saying: I have not run a marathon. I haven't even run a half marathon (but I have run that distance before).
What's the draw of the marathon? It's sort of the ultimate racing distance. Sure, there's ultras and whatnot. Truthfully, though, until I started following blogland, I had no idea about such things. I had heard of marathons though. And I knew they were far. Very long.
So, to me, the draw is.. it's kind of the king of racing. Not that I'm going ever to race a marathon and be anywhere competitive. It's more of an endurance test. Can I do it? Can I go all the way? I'm the kind of guy who likes to go to 100% in stuff. If I don't, it nags at me.
The long run draws me as it is. (If you said that to me a couple of years ago, I would have said you had been smoking something.) To go out on a nice day and run for miles and miles... There's just no feeling quite like it. The thoughts in your head clear, you feel great afterward (cardio-wise at least). There's just something about it.
I think it's just the fact that it's such an accomplishment that draws me. I won't be happy if I wind up walking part of it (minus the aid stations). I want to run the whole damn thing. To go from being un-active to a marathoner is something worth noting. I'm not there yet, but I want to get there.
My wife told me this morning that she doesn't know what to make of me being an exercise nut. I don't know what to make of that comment, either. Is it good, is it bad? I guess it's who I am now. I think that since it's completely orthogonal to everything I do in a "normal" day, whether it's working or chilling out, it draws me. Something different. I love things that are different. (Of course, if I run every day, at some point it's no longer different.. hrms..)
I see next week's TIART is about how to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I've got nothing there. Short of using a scooter or something.
9 comments:
I found this topic super interesting as well. Love your response. And you're right, going from un-active to any kind of runner at all is an accomplishment. Good luck on your running quests. Whatever they may be.
can i get a scooter, too?! hehe.
i think it's a good exercise for us to think about these things,... my post today ended up making me feel better about the whole process and i've been so down about it lately, so i think it was kinda therapeutic. i think it's a mixed comment to be a "health nut" but def EARNED so your hard work is not going unnoticed :)
great post... i think the endurance test and sense of accomplishment are some of my big reasons as well!
I like what you said about it being an endurance test...and also about the long run. Sometimes they're just HARD, but when they're good, they're really, really good!
Yes, the lure of the marathon is strong. I'm with you on the scooter! Pick me up at mile 20! ;)
I hear ya with the scooter. When I hear someone qualified for Boston, I look at them like their angelic all of the sudden.
my hubs thinks my running is a little nutty too...but he's proud of me and i Like that... that's why you do marathons, pride.
Your wife's comment is a compliment! Well, at least I think so.
ROFLMAO! Ohhh that last sentence cracks me up! Amen to that because I'd need one as well.
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