AVID MARATHON RUNNERS
The history of the race.
The tale upon which the modern Olympic Marathon rests is the mythic run of Pheidippides from Marathon to Athens. He was a professional messenger and, in 490BC, is supposed to have brought a message from the plains of Marathon, where the Greek Army had just won a crucial battle against the invading Persian Army of General Datis. After the battle, in which he may have taken part, he was dispatched to Athens to deliver the news: “Rejoice, we are victorious”. He did this, and no more, dropping dead with the delivery.
source: “The Expert’s Guide to Marathon Training” (Hugh Jones, 2003)
Contemporary races:
IAAF Competition Rules for Road Races
International Association of Athletics Federations
Marathon = 42.195km running race. all running should be done on roads, with an exception of start and finish being able to take place inside a sport stadium.
The races shall be started by the firing of a gun.
In Road Races, an athlete may leave the road or track with the permission and under the supervision of an official, provided that by going off course he does not lessen the distance to be covered.
For all events longer than 10km, refreshment stations shall be provided at approximately every 5km. In addition, drinking / sponging stations for water only shall be placed approximately midway between the refreshment stations or more frequently if weather conditions warrant such provision.
A hands-on medical examination during the progress of an event by the official medical staff appointed by the Organizing Committee and identified by armbands, vests or similar distinctive apparel shall not be considered assistance.
An athlete shall retire at once from the race if ordered to do so by the Medical Delegate or a member of the official medical staff.
Kenyan, Patrick Makau, hold a time of 2h03:38, in Berlin on Sep, 25th 2011. The fastest male marathon recorded.
while Paula Radcliffe of the United Kingdom ran a 2h15:25 marathon in London on the 13th of April 2003 for the fastest women time recorded.
source: http://www.iaaf.org/
Training:
Running long distances in a competitive atmosphere requires lifestyle decisions. Daily running routines is a common occurrence in the avid marathon runners life. Multiple miles a day is common.
Online people publish their own training routines, and quite often people comment and critique on each others schedules.
These routines often include not only “I run 3 miles a day” generic descriptions. But in-depth breakdowns of the variables: distances, times, hydration details, weather, stretches, diets, etc.
here are a couple of training programs
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/marathon.html
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244-255-6946-0,00.html
I find it interesting that a marathon is nothing more then an instinct to challenge ones physical self and push the human body to the limits. The “race” is just as much a mental strain as a physical one. Often running partnerships take place in order to motivate the runners to overcome the mental.
Equipment:
Avid marathon runners are also in need of external equipment to help enhance their performance, hopefully making the running process as “streamlined” as possible. Watches for timing. ipods for music. water bottle belts for hydration. special running sneakers. special socks. clothing which is formulated to “play well” with sweat. reflectors or lights for running at night. heart monitors.