This weekend I completed the Walt Disney World Marathon in Orlando, Florida. It was a well organized and fun race. The Disney characters lined the course cheering on runners in the areas where other spectators could not go. There was plenty to see as we ran through all four theme parks, which helped keep my mind off how badly my body felt.
This was the third marathon that I have completed in the last 10 months. When I began training for my first marathon about a year ago, I wondered how my body would respond to the stress long distance running can place on the body. I heard horror stories about fifty year old marathon runners who could barely walk. I also read news paper headlines describing the tragic deaths of prominent runners in London, Chicago and New York this year.
I have been apprehensive about what, if any, damage I am doing to my joints as I have trained for and run these marathons. In all three races, as I approached mile 21 I experienced pain unlike any that I have ever felt. It is a pain that is hard to describe, as it seemed to encompass my whole body. Each step becomes harder than the next and the voice in the back of my mind telling me to stop grew louder. At the same time, I watched sixty and seventy year old men pass me by. As a 25 year old who is in decent shape, it was disheartening to see people who did not appear to be athletic pass me by.
I still do not have evidence that marathons are either harmful or beneficial. My body is still sore from the last race, but overall I feel strong. The pain that I experienced during the race is mostly forgotten and I am once again contemplating running another race. I believe that wearing the right equipment, eating a balanced diet and participating in proper training will lead to the successful completion of a marathon.
1 comment:
This comment was emailed directly to me.
Although we have never officially met, you were a great source of stress for me at the Disney Marathon. Not only was I nervous about running my first marathon, but I was told, by Hannah, that I had to
"beat Mr. Simoni". The pressure!! I can't believe that all of our split times were so close, and we didn't even know we were running together. Anyway, in responding to your blog, I do think you need to be careful about how many marathons you do each year and honestly, I think you have done too many already in a short period of time. Marathons take a huge toll on your body, and although you are still young and may not be feeling anything now, I think you need to be careful not to abuse your body now or you will have to find another sport when you get older. I, too, have heard of many people who are no longer able to run due to injuries and arthritis from overuse. Well,that's my opinion. Congratulations on your accomplishments! I'm sorry we didn't meet up during the marathon. Maybe next year!
M. Duffek
Post a Comment