I get a kick out of the signs that people hold during road races. Marathon signs are always particular interesting because people train so hard to run one and they get their whole family involved. Here are some really creative signs displayed for marathon runners.
Last night I joined thousands of other people across the nation to see Spirit of the Marathon in theaters. Entering the movie, I expected it to be about the history of the marathon and some of it's epic moments and the training and hard work that goes into one. It did capture much of this but essentially the movie was a documentary revealing the personal highs and lows of running a marathon. It followed 5 people, 1 elite (Deena Kastor), and 4 other age groupers. A few were first timers and one was a regular marathoner shooting for Boston.
Without going into too many details, the movie did an incredible job of showing the emotions before, during, and after a marathon. As a runner I kept thinking "So true, so true." There were laughs from the audience that only a running crowd would give. One of my favorite scenes was a moment we've all been through: when you tell someone you're going to run a marathon and they ask you, "Do you think you're going to win?"
It's a beautiful movie to a runner and a motivational movie for a non-runner. It spans everything from the agony of injury to the exhilaration of completion. I had the sense that everyone around me in the theater and those in the film understood what I feel about running. It's often hard to explain to others why you do what you do, why you put yourself through the early morning runs just to torture yourself for 26.2 miles. This movie helps answer those questions. It will be my answer to those who think I'm crazy. I'll simply hand them a copy of the movie and say, "Watch this, you'll understand."
Spirit of the Marathon is screening at select theaters throughout 2008 and will be on DVD sometime after that. Below is the trailer.
Robert Cheruiyot, winner of the 2007, 2006, and 2003 Boston Marathons, will be back again to race on April 21, 2008. Cheruiyot is seeking to join the ranks of only 3 other four-time male winners, Canadian Gerard Cote and Americans Bill Rodgers and Clarence DeMar.
Cheruiyo set the Boston course record, 2 hours 7 minutes 14 seconds, in 2006. His win last year helped him lay claim to the World Marathon Majors series and a $500,000 prize.
Cheruiyot said in a press release, "I have had much success on the Boston course because the more difficult and competitive a race is, the more I commit myself to do my best."
Update: Cheruiyot won the 2008 Boston Marathon with a time of 2:07:46, taking home the $150,000 purse.
There is no doubt about it, winter running can be brutal. I ran my 800 meter sprints this morning at 5:30 with a below-zero wind chill, 1 inch of snow, all while sleeting a little. During the windy backstretches I kept thinking, "There's got to be a better way." Here are some ideas to get you through the coldest of days:
Run in a swimming pool. It's a heck of a work out and great for taking the pressure off the knees and hips.
Run a Parking Garage. Not only do you get simulated hills, the lower levels also offer protection from wind and snow. No excuses, there is always the parking garage.
Spin Class. I made fun of my friends for taking spin classes, but they got an hour of high-intensity workout and I called my run quits after 12 minutes of brutal wind. Who's laughing now?
Run with a partner. Nothing makes time go by quicker than running with a friend.
Run with music. Friends aren't as crazy as you? Plan out a grouping of your favorite songs and sing your way through the cold.
Save your tempo run for the coldest days. Rather than going long, use the coldest days to push it a little. Running faster will keep your body warmer you won't be out in the elements quite so long.
Work the core. If it's just too cold to go out, take the opportunity to work your abdomen. Most runners neglect core exercises, but they're vital.
Get more traction: I can't tell you how many times my YakTrax have kept me from busting butt.
Give yourself a treat. Give yourself something special to eat after a good run. A few cookies with milk makes the semi-frostbite all worth it.
Stay close to home. Rather than an out-and-back, find a good loop. There's no sense in risking being far away from home if the weather takes you over.
We all know that running makes you thinner, stronger, and all-around healthier, but the benefits of running even go beyond health. Here are 10 other reasons you may want to start running:
Meet good-looking people. If you're single, running is a great way to meet others. It's no secret that running does a body good. In addition, the active, motivated mindset of runners usually correlates positively with intelligence and other desirable traits. (And remember: "Stamina on the track means stamina in the sack.";)
Create "Me" time. Although running with partners is usually great, individual runs can be a perfect to escape from the world. Running enables you to leave your cell phone, chores, and worries behind while you simply enjoy the fresh air of the great outdoors.
Achieve goals. Running is often about setting a challenge for yourself and working consistently and earnestly to achieve it. Learning this behavior is very useful in the rest of life.
Develop friends. Running with others is usually one of the best ways to train. When you spend several hours a week sweating with someone you tend to become good friends. You share stories, experience triumphs and defeats, and really get to know each other. Running with a spouse or loved one is also a great relationship builder.
Become smarter. Modern research indicates that regular exercise leads to increased intelligence (see this book). The stamina built by running is very useful for tough mental tasks as well.
Set a good example. Many of my friends have started running or walking because they've seen my weight loss and energy gain over the years. My 8-year-old daughter thinks that everyone exercises an hour a day because her Mom and Dad run. She even asks me to go on walks with her sometimes, providing both exercise and valuable time together.
Destroy obstacles. Once you've been through a long race, such as a marathon, any of the other obstacles in your life just don't look so difficult any more.
Clear your mind. For many people, running provides a release. It gives you plenty of distraction-free time to organize your thoughts and come up with solutions. Regular exercisers find mild excursion tremendously refreshing, both physically and mentally.
Build self-confidence. Getting in shape, knowing you're healthy, and achieving goals all make you feel incredible. It doesn't hurt either when other people tell you that you look fit.
