Go head over heels for running marathons
Bear with me, doubters: the marathon is a thing of beauty. There are probably 42 ways I could try to convince you of this, one for each kilometre of this majestic race, but I’ll just stick to a mere sprint through the reasons.
First has to be Eliud Kipchoge, a Kenyan superstar who didn’t just smash the world record at Berlin this month – he expertly dismantled it in a way no one thought was possible.
But to that list I’d add laughs, grind, and cartwheels.
We use the word ‘‘marathon’’ to describe something that drags on and on – a marathon meeting, for example. You never hear that and think, ‘‘Wow, cool! Wish I’d been there for that!’’
And, in running terms, believe me, there are times when that is exactly what running a marathon feels like – a meeting that you don’t really want to be at that just keeps going, with only a vague idea of where it’s headed, no end in sight, and you’re dying for a drink.
But for most of the marathons I’ve done, there have been more smiles than grimaces. Frankly, at the speed I go, if I’m not enjoying it, I shouldn’t be out there.
Funnily enough, Kipchoge always seems to look like he’s enjoying himself too. I’m sure it’s not just because of the bonuses he pockets after performances like the one at Berlin.
There is a joy that comes with feeling your body working hard, at running freely and swiftly – and Kipchoge and the other elites sure were running swiftly.
Gladys Cherono clocked the fourth fastest women’s time in history, and it was the first time three women had gone under 2h 19m in a race. And Switzerland’s Manuela Schaer smashed the women’s wheelchair world record, too.
Most marathon entrants will slow down the further they get, but Kipchoge got faster before stopping the clock at 2h 01m 39s.
His average 5km time was 14m 24s – that’s straight-out