There are dozens of marathons a year, with thousands and thousands of participants, and I think that one reason we find a death so notable is that it is so rare. That's testament itself to the fact that these are, by and large, very healthy people who are running these races. Sheer statistical probability means that someone will die during a marathon every once in a while, just like sheer statistical probability predicts how many holiday deaths there will be on a long weekend. We think the predictions are morbid, and then they come true. Law enforcement officers and newscasters encourage people to drive more safely, but we don't try to rethink the car. It's not the marathon, it's the athlete.
So Alysia and Virginia, I find myself right between the two of you.
I was never a marathoner; the longest race I ever ran was a 10K (6.2 miles), and that was plenty for me. But I will say that running was one of the joys of my life in my 20s. I ran 5 miles a few times a week and still recall the utter zen of it with yearning. I miss those days. I don't run anymore because of knee and back issues, but if I didn't have those issues, you'd find me on the trail.
While I never trained for a marathon, I can only imagine the joy one gets from setting such a difficult goal and reaching it. The training involved, the time, the aches and pains certainly would affect me, but as I'd build time and endurance, I know I'd want to do more.
That said, I do think running takes a large and somewhat inevitable toll on our bodies. The pounding -- even with excellent shoes, which I always wore, and even on good surfaces (I used to run on a well-maintained trail) - sends a shock to the knees and the vertabrae that is difficult to mitigate later in life. I danced for years and I ran for years, and the running by far was harder on my body.
So now I see the wisdom of the more conservative approach, and Virginia, when you sum it all up in your last paragraph, it seems perfect. Good diet, moderate exercise, flexibility, meditation and cleansing is smart, and I endeavor to do it. And there are still goals to accomplish, even on an elliptical or a walking route.
But I have to say that I still yearn for the trail. That runner's zen is difficult to explain and even harder to replace. It is so sad that the 29-year-old marathoner in Dallas died, and it will be interesting to later find out what happened. But I think as long as there are young, strong, fit bodies in the world, they'll continue to push themselves -- just to see what it looks like on the other side of the goal.
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There are dozens of marathons a year, with thousands and thousands of participants, and I think that one reason we find a death so notable is that it is so rare. That's testament itself to the fact that these are, by and large, very healthy people who are running these races. Sheer statistical probability means that someone will die during a marathon every once in a while, just like sheer statistical probability predicts how many holiday deaths there will be on a long weekend. We think the predictions are morbid, and then they come true. Law enforcement officers and newscasters encourage people to drive more safely, but we don't try to rethink the car. It's not the marathon, it's the athlete.
So Alysia and Virginia, I find myself right between the two of you.
I was never a marathoner; the longest race I ever ran was a 10K (6.2 miles), and that was plenty for me. But I will say that running was one of the joys of my life in my 20s. I ran 5 miles a few times a week and still recall the utter zen of it with yearning. I miss those days. I don't run anymore because of knee and back issues, but if I didn't have those issues, you'd find me on the trail.
While I never trained for a marathon, I can only imagine the joy one gets from setting such a difficult goal and reaching it. The training involved, the time, the aches and pains certainly would affect me, but as I'd build time and endurance, I know I'd want to do more.
That said, I do think running takes a large and somewhat inevitable toll on our bodies. The pounding -- even with excellent shoes, which I always wore, and even on good surfaces (I used to run on a well-maintained trail) - sends a shock to the knees and the vertabrae that is difficult to mitigate later in life. I danced for years and I ran for years, and the running by far was harder on my body.
So now I see the wisdom of the more conservative approach, and Virginia, when you sum it all up in your last paragraph, it seems perfect. Good diet, moderate exercise, flexibility, meditation and cleansing is smart, and I endeavor to do it. And there are still goals to accomplish, even on an elliptical or a walking route.
But I have to say that I still yearn for the trail. That runner's zen is difficult to explain and even harder to replace. It is so sad that the 29-year-old marathoner in Dallas died, and it will be interesting to later find out what happened. But I think as long as there are young, strong, fit bodies in the world, they'll continue to push themselves -- just to see what it looks like on the other side of the goal.
December 17, 2008 - 8:57amThis Comment
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