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A taste of the 'thon

I suppose "run a marathon" is on everyone's "to do before I die" list. It's recognized as the ultimate physical achievement: to stretch the limits of your body and spirit so that you can propel your solid mass of meat and bones across 26.2 miles. The amount of pride and accomplishment that comes with such a feat must be overwhelming. I had previously thought of the whole shindig as runner-wankery. It's a big fest of skinny people with nothing better to do than jog for a couple hours. During training it's all they talk about, and afterwards they wouldn't shut up about their big achievement. While I have flirted with the goal of running a marathon in the past, it wasn't until this weekend when I actually grew interested in the concept.

Here's why: Marathons have tens of thousands of people. The only other events I have attended with such enormous groups would be professional sports games. What makes marathons special, is that not only is there a huge amount of humanity squeezed into one place, but we're all moving. You pass people, people pass you. You're running in a pack, like wolves on the hunt, like our aboriginal ancestors. What other events promote such behavior? To engage in such a primitive form of community? Talk about wild fun. Personally, I've always hated large events. Crowded bars and packed parties have consistently been the least-fun gatherings I've attended. Some people really enjoy this scene: allowing yourself to lose your individuality and get that "mob mentality" so-to-speak. It's never been my cup of tea, but running inbetween people across a city is just crazy enough to be a blast.

Aside from the "getting lost in the crowd" effect, the other factor that attracts me to a marathon is the positive feeling. I'm not talking about the endorphin rush that comes with exercise, or attaining a "runner's high." Before the gun goes off, everyone is excited to run, all positive vibes. People cheer for you, you cheer for others. My favorite fan was a single old woman in a wheelchair, stopped a corner. She carried a small boom box and was blasting Lenny Kravitz -how great is that!? I've previously learned that in any group, you'll have the top 10% go-getters and motivators and the bottom 10% detractors. At the marathon, everyone is a motivator. The spirit is intoxicating.

So it's been decided: I'm running a marathon. Where and When . . . eh, we'll figure that out later. Maybe the 2007 Marine Corps Marathon. . . maybe go back to Philly for jog . . . and it would be awesome to go to London and be one of the superheroes that do the race there.

Here are the pics of me crossing the finish line. Notice how I managed to get beat by that 12 year old kid ahead of me. The greatest physical performance in my life and I get schooled by someone who has his mother make him lunch everyday. On the other hand . . . I don't see this kid wearing a bib. Cheater.