St George Marathon

[ERCougar]

Here's another interesting study. One of the authors (Pam Douglas) spoke here in Houston -- 24% average reduction in LV ejection fraction after you run an Ironman Triathlon!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10190525

Wow...that's interesting. I'm assuming that's immediately postrace and that it's not an absolute reduction of 24%. Still--interesting.

[Solon]

Yeah, it's just common sense. But you would be amazed at how many people ask things like, "How could he have a heart attack if he's in good enough shape to run a marathon?"

Because he had just fought for his life wearing 60 pounds of bronze armor in the Greek sun in a pitched battle with Persians.

Then he ran back to Athens to announce the victory, and to warn the Athenians that the Persians had boarded ships and might be sailing around the Attic peninsula for a sneak attack.

There's no clear-cut version of the Battle of Marathon runner-story, and sadly it was probably a later invention (Herodotus doesn't mention it). Most often, people credit a runner named Pheidippides with the feat, since it was he who ran the 150 miles to Sparta in a day and a night to ask for help before the battle, and then turned around and ran back to Athens to bring back their answer ("We're coming, but in a few days.")

The ancient writer Plutarch, however, says that it was either a man named Thersippus or Eucles who ran back with the news - in full armor, no less. (Moralia 347C)

But the bulk of the Athenian army did hustle the 25+ miles back to Athens after the battle to make sure the Persian ships didn't sneak around behind them. That's unbelievable.

The first "marathon" race was held in the 1896 Olympics, and the distance was measured from the church in the village of Marathon to Athens - about 25 miles. A Greek soldier named Spyridon Loues won the event - after he stopped along the way for a glass of wine to parch his thirst.

[ERCougar]

Because he had just fought for his life wearing 60 pounds of bronze armor in the Greek sun in a pitched battle with Persians.

Then he ran back to Athens to announce the victory, and to warn the Athenians that the Persians had boarded ships and might be sailing around the Attic peninsula for a sneak attack.

There's no clear-cut version of the Battle of Marathon runner-story, and sadly it was probably a later invention (Herodotus doesn't mention it). Most often, people credit a runner named Pheidippides with the feat, since it was he who ran the 150 miles to Sparta in a day and a night to ask for help before the battle, and then turned around and ran back to Athens to bring back their answer ("We're coming, but in a few days.")

The ancient writer Plutarch, however, says that it was either a man named Thersippus or Eucles who ran back with the news - in full armor, no less. (Moralia 347C)

But the bulk of the Athenian army did hustle the 25+ miles back to Athens after the battle to make sure the Persian ships didn't sneak around behind them. That's unbelievable.

The first "marathon" race was held in the 1896 Olympics, and the distance was measured from the church in the village of Marathon to Athens - about 25 miles. A Greek soldier named Spyridon Loues won the event - after he stopped along the way for a glass of wine to parch his thirst.

Do you just know this stuff? Or do you have to refresh yourself with wikipedia?

Because wow, I'd love to have this kind of stuff at my recall.

I'm sounding sarcastic, but I'm totally serious.

[beelzebabette]

I've been thinking about registering, it would be my first full after running 2 half marathons. Would the SG or the ToU be better for a first timer?

I would say it depends on how fast you run (but you should take anything I say with a grain of salt as I'm not a diehard). There's a lot less shade in St. George (plus, you know, it's hotter anyway). If you can finish it before the four-ish hour mark, it won't be too hot. Otherwise, Top of Utah's going to have a lot of shade on the neighborhood streets. There's also more fluctuations in the weather in Logan.

If I had to make a suggestion, I'd ask how you do on downhills. If it's no big deal, I'd say try for the St. George lottery. If you prefer a more gentle downgrade, I'd suggest Top of Utah.

Where have you run half marathons? I can probably make some comparisons between courses that'd help you out.

[ewth8tr]

I ran Provo River Canyon and Huntsville. I'm not that fast though, I'm looking to keep it under 5:00

[beelzebabette]

I ran Provo River Canyon and Huntsville. I'm not that fast though, I'm looking to keep it under 5:00

Worthy goal. I'd compare the St. George course to the Provo River course. Steeper grade with a little uphill at nine miles (like the loop back up by the falls). I thought the first several miles with the steep grade were a bit much (I prefer Hobble Creek's gentler slope), but if you liked it then the St. George marathon would be a good fit. My recommendation would be Top of Utah though.

[BigPiney]

Because he had just fought for his life wearing 60 pounds of bronze armor in the Greek sun in a pitched battle with Persians.

Then he ran back to Athens to announce the victory, and to warn the Athenians that the Persians had boarded ships and might be sailing around the Attic peninsula for a sneak attack.

There's no clear-cut version of the Battle of Marathon runner-story, and sadly it was probably a later invention (Herodotus doesn't mention it). Most often, people credit a runner named Pheidippides with the feat, since it was he who ran the 150 miles to Sparta in a day and a night to ask for help before the battle, and then turned around and ran back to Athens to bring back their answer ("We're coming, but in a few days.")

The ancient writer Plutarch, however, says that it was either a man named Thersippus or Eucles who ran back with the news - in full armor, no less. (Moralia 347C)

But the bulk of the Athenian army did hustle the 25+ miles back to Athens after the battle to make sure the Persian ships didn't sneak around behind them. That's unbelievable.

The first "marathon" race was held in the 1896 Olympics, and the distance was measured from the church in the village of Marathon to Athens - about 25 miles. A Greek soldier named Spyridon Loues won the event - after he stopped along the way for a glass of wine to parch his thirst.

Cool did not know that. 150 freaking miles? wow.

[BigPiney]

Lottery comes out tonight. Who is gonna make it?

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Here is the abstract for the study I was talking about:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18426850

This thread alone has probably made all the time I wasted on CUF worth something. Thanks for the comments on this topic. I'm thinking about getting on the superset/circuit weight training regimen again and I'm hoping it's not too much. I have a bike but I try not to work out too hard on it. It always occured to me that a person could overdo it and start damaging their heart after awhile and it looks like you guys are citing studies that indicate that.

[scottie]

Lottery comes out tonight. Who is gonna make it?

Got my fingers crossed -- results will be posted at 5 PM Mtn time today.

[scottie]

Got my fingers crossed -- results will be posted at 5 PM Mtn time today.

I got in!

[BigPiney]

I got in!

My wife is in. So are Bluegoose and his wife. Suckers.

[bluegoose]

My wife is in. So are Bluegoose and his wife. Suckers.

I am? Well how about that. Thanks for ruining a perfectly good day, Piney.

[BigPiney]

I am? Well how about that. Thanks for ruining a perfectly good day, Piney.

Just doing my job as the friendly neighborhood stalker. Time to start running. Only 144 days to get ready.

[SteelBlue]

I'm in.