Why a Marathon?

Both of my bosses think it's absurd---why would anyone go through the agony of all that training, all that conditioning, all that running? What's the point? It's crazy....crazy.

My bosses are not sedentary guys---one played college football and his wife is running her third marathon, herself. The other is a former Army Ranger and when I pointed out that his Ranger training was certainly more gruelling that a simple marathon, his response was that his training was in the service of his country. What can I say to make them understand?

Since Pheidippides ran 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory of the Athenian navy over the Persian forces, the marathon has been the standard of endurance for people who want to challenge themselves physically. It's a powerful act of self-affirmation that's very difficult for non-runners to comprehend.

For four months prior to the race, you are fine-tuning your body into a highly conditioned, elite machine. You are increasing your distances every weekend, running longer and farther than you ever thought possible. You see the difference when you look in the mirror. It's in your gait, it's in your carriage, it's in your face---you are transforming yourself into a top-tier runner.

And the day of the race, you are responding to everything that has gone wrong during the year---every heartbreak, every thwarted plan, every humiliation, every defeat---and you are saying, You will not defeat Me.

The thrill of crossing the finish line is directly proportional to the effort that has gone into it and the effort and the thrill are legion and as you look into the eyes of your friends and family you know that you have it to exceed your self-imposed limitations and no one will ever be able to take away your accomplishment because it is yours for the rest of your life.

That's why I'm running a marathon.