Who should be allowed to run a marathon?

Another picture of the Mt. Vernon trail - this time of me on a cross trianing day.

Since starting to taking this running thing seriously, I started “lurking” (a purely technical term for you non-internet people) around the Runner’s World and Cool Running message boards. These boards are full of running questions and words of wisdom from those at it a lot longer than me. I was somewhat disturbed, however, when I came across a few (ok –several) posts that take aim at Team-in-Training events, running for charities, and the Galloway run/walk method. It was only after the 2004 Marine Corp Marathon that I even had the brief, nanosecond of a thought that I might someday, years from now, attempt a marathon. When I saw the flyer for the AIDS Marathon Training Program, I thought I might as well be raising money for a good cause while logging all the miles. Plus, group long runs and coaching…what more could you ask for?

Well, (long pause) there are many people who don’t take kindly to this type of program. The reasons vary and I’ll choose not to rehash all of them here. You can go to http://www.runnersworld.com/ or http://www.coolrunning.com/ message boards if you want all the dirt. The problem for me is that I understand some of their arguments. It’s true, you don’t see the general public deciding to play in every Redskins game to raise money for charity. In fact, not many sports would allow this. So, why allow it in the marathon? Also, these training programs usually incorporate some type of run/walk ratio because they say it increases recovery time for those not used to pounding the pavement. Many “real” runners (I’m not sure when a person becomes a “real” runner – any research out there?) claim that you haven’t done a marathon if you haven’t run a marathon.

At the same time, these training programs are partially responsible for getting some otherwise lazy people off the couch and into their running shoes. And, each week a large number of people find themselves able to complete the distance with a pretty quick recovery time. And, you can’t help think that they bring a new awareness for the sport of running (even though it still only gets about an hour of TV coverage every few months). And, the AIDS marathon training program states it has a 98% success rate for first time finishers.

Of course, I would love to RUN a marathon, and even qualify for Boston, but in reality, that will probably never happen. I’m actually quite happy plodding along at my slow, take in the scenery, pace. For me, the enjoyment of going for a run is what it’s all about. I only hope I don’t get a tomato or something worse thrown at me during the race because I might have to take a walk break!!!!! Anyway, these are just thoughts that have plagued me the past couple weeks. Feel free to comment.

P.S. I’ll be in North Dakota for Christmas. Anyone there want to join me for a cold 4 miler or 8 miler or just one mile of either? Take care all, and have a happy turkey day!