NPR: Open Thread: Itching to Run a Marathon?

Open Thread: Itching to Run a Marathon?

Martin Lel and Paula Radcliffe: Could be you. Maybe.

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

On today's show, former Boston marathon champ Amby Burfoot mourned the loss of runner Ryan Shay and celebrated the victory of Shay's friend, Ryan Hall, in Saturday's Olympic marathon trial for the men's team in New York. The next day, Martin Lel and Paula Radcliffe won hotly contested races in the city's IMG marathon.

The day after the big race, running shops typically mark down the prices on shoes and other gear -- ready to catch the wave of people who find themselves suddenly inspired to run. If you're starting from zero, Amby says, your initial training should consist of walking, walking and more walking.

Itching to try the marathon?

Laura Conaway

7:46 AM ET | 11- 5-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I have recently completed my first marathon and now looking to do another one next year. I have been a runner for the past 15 years after deciding that I did not want to carry the extra weight anymore. I have run numerous 5Ks, 10Ks, 8 milers, and half-marathons but never the full 26.2. The experience was the hardest thing I have ever done but left such a lasting imprint in my mind. I now wonder why it even took me this long to decide to run the full distance. Clearly the marathon is not for everybody. It is a committment and for me was a lifestyle change during the course of training. It is easy to get choked up reliving that moment. They were not kidding when they said that the race starts at mile 20. Indeed it is an inner race against your physical body. The last 6.2 miles was a blur. All I could remember were the mile markers- they were all that mattered...just like our short lives on this planet- there are only few things that really matter.
I was watching the Olympic trials online last Saturday not realizing that Ryan Shay died at mile 5.5. I was just amazed at how the elite runners can make it look so easy. I do understand the amount of time and preparation that went to "making it look easy". In the end however, there are bigger things in life than winning a footrace. I am quite envious of Ryan Shay- he lived his life according to how he wanted it to be and died doing the thing he loved to do.

Sent by Ireneo Diaz | 10:59 AM ET | 11-05-2007

My hat is off to Ryan Shay for his many accomplishments in his much too brief time with us and my heart goes out to his family in their grief. As a "back of the pack" jogger for many years I have experienced many running related peak experiences (I have my Boston 1977 and NYC 2004 numbers framed in my cube)and as a human being on this planet also known my share of grief. In both I join the running community in expressing my profound sympathy to Mr Shay's family. I have long felt that it would be great to be able to leave this life while running. But doing so while not yet 30 years old is a whole different story. Its probably time to revisit A.E. Housman's "To An Athlete Dying Young". May God bless the Shay family and the rest of the running public in this trying moment.

Sent by Hank Bisbee | 12:55 PM ET | 11-05-2007

Unrelated to marathons, I'm not a fan of the new theme song (though it may grow on me), I really liked the last one a lot.

Sent by alice | 5:53 PM ET | 11-05-2007

I like the new music, is this something that's going to be changing often?

Sent by Benjamin Frisch | 7:42 PM ET | 11-05-2007

In 1980 at the age of 36 my father ran his first and only marathon (the Denver Marathon)on a knee with no ACL or MCL. As a kid I really had no idea what the accomplishment meant, especially in light of his condition. Now I understand and admire his accomplishment. About five years ago, at the age of 34, I decided to start running as a mean to battle the encroaching pounds and years. Though difficult at first, I now realize the joy that comes with running. I don't run with an Ipod or MP3 player - I run with my thoughts. Before I know it, the time and miles have flown by. Though I don't have the time to train for a marathon, I have it on my list of things to do before I die.

Living in Kansas, Ryan Shay's death has received a lot of media coverage. He won Kansas City's Hospital Hill half-marathon the same year I ran its 5K division. While one might think a death like Ryan's would discourage people from wanting to run, I've been inspired to run. Somehow, I will find the time to train for a marathon. If my father could do it on knee held together by muscles alone, I can do it too.

Sent by Jennifer Stammers | 9:09 AM ET | 11-06-2007

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