Marathons

In the brief time I have been running, I have noticed in almost all the online and off-line literature an assumption that, if you are running, then you are working up toward a marathon. Have you noticed this? I'm going to come right out and say it. I have no desire to run a marathon, ever. Forgetting for a moment the endless hours of training, the peeing blood, and the intestinal unpleasantness, I just don't want to run for that length of time. Given my best running pace to date, I would be running four hours and 15 minutes. The only things I like to do for that length of time involve beer, barbecue, hobbits, and sleep. For a hilarious account of what a marathon can do to you, read this. It convinced me to avoid it at all costs.

It is unfortunate that there is such a bias toward marathon training. I think there are more people running for fun and fitness than are preparing to get their XXVI tattoo. Why isn't there more stuff for us?

I know, there is. And I know why there is so much information out there for marathoners. They need the most help. Marathons do terrible things to your body, and you can seriously mess yourself up if you fail to take the necessary precautions. I'm just a bit peeved that they get all the attention. It's probably just me, but I get the impression that there is an unspoken assumption out there that non-marathoners aren't serious runners.

[[[What do you think? Have you found some good resources for the non-marathoner? Please share!]]]

Tags: issues, running, jogging