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As a physician who has to combat the after effects of obesity day in and day out, I'm ready to beat the writer over the head with a pair of my size 11 Kayanos. We should be praising these folks that are out there battling to finish a marathon and who are physicially active. We have an epidemic of obesity mostly due to physical inactivity and their ain't no way I can criticize any of these runners. Exactly how fast do we need to run to be a "pure marathoner?" 4:00? 3:30? 3:00?
I've finished 7 marathons: My fastest was 3:15 , my slowest was 6:30 when I walked/ran with my mother-in-law. Each had their own set of challenges/rewards at the finish. I love going to races now and seeing all the 4+ hr marathoners because they are "kicking ass".
I know that my time didn't do anything to change how the gazelles at the start were doing. And I know that folks like Meb, Deena and Ryan won't run any different based on how I'm running.
By the way, if you ever do finish another marathon, maybe you'll finally understand. In the mean time, maybe you should talk to my mother-in-law about what it feels like to be a marathoner.
