I'm a marathoner, and a coach, and completely understand the "runner's high" that comes from raging endorphins. Distance running is relatively new for me, since I didn't start until after 50 and have been at this only a few years.
The human body was made for covering distances on foot. Our prehistoric ancestors had to travel on foot. But, there really does seem to be a huge difference between those who appear predisposed to distance running, like the Kenyans, and those who are not - like the rest of us!
You're right - even the fittest people get sick. I don't know if any of you know who Jim Fixx was, the legendary marathoner who wrote "The Complete Book of Running," the first "bible" for distance runners, and who died of a massive heart attack in 1984 at age 52. His father died at age 43 from heart issues.
During the course of my training, I've been taught to watch my heart rate and to back off if I reach a certain level, and to be aware of the symptoms of dehydration. All the same, I know how stubborn a runner can be about pushing on when it's just a few miles to the finish. I've suffered from dehydration and heat stroke during a distance event and it was not fun stumbling to the med tent. But, I'd rather risk the dreaded "DNF" (did not finish) than "DOA."
Virginia asks some very valid questions, too. In Beijing, marathoners have to deal with some of the worst air pollution in the world (to say nothing of traffic, as the route isn't conveniently blocked like in the rest of the running world). In Colorado, runners tackle high altitude. In Texas, we tackle ridiculous heat. Are we nuts in setting ourselves up for physical failure? Probably. But, it doesn't matter the endurance sport, we'll still go out there and try to beat the odds.
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I'm a marathoner, and a coach, and completely understand the "runner's high" that comes from raging endorphins. Distance running is relatively new for me, since I didn't start until after 50 and have been at this only a few years.
The human body was made for covering distances on foot. Our prehistoric ancestors had to travel on foot. But, there really does seem to be a huge difference between those who appear predisposed to distance running, like the Kenyans, and those who are not - like the rest of us!
You're right - even the fittest people get sick. I don't know if any of you know who Jim Fixx was, the legendary marathoner who wrote "The Complete Book of Running," the first "bible" for distance runners, and who died of a massive heart attack in 1984 at age 52. His father died at age 43 from heart issues.
During the course of my training, I've been taught to watch my heart rate and to back off if I reach a certain level, and to be aware of the symptoms of dehydration. All the same, I know how stubborn a runner can be about pushing on when it's just a few miles to the finish. I've suffered from dehydration and heat stroke during a distance event and it was not fun stumbling to the med tent. But, I'd rather risk the dreaded "DNF" (did not finish) than "DOA."
Virginia asks some very valid questions, too. In Beijing, marathoners have to deal with some of the worst air pollution in the world (to say nothing of traffic, as the route isn't conveniently blocked like in the rest of the running world). In Colorado, runners tackle high altitude. In Texas, we tackle ridiculous heat. Are we nuts in setting ourselves up for physical failure? Probably. But, it doesn't matter the endurance sport, we'll still go out there and try to beat the odds.
Even in the face of tragedy.
December 17, 2008 - 6:26pmThis Comment
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