Race to the Sky

Most of us have heard the legend about the origin of the marathon, the grueling 26.2-mile foot race that was inspired by a messenger bringing news of victory at the plain of Marathon back to Athens.  In many versions of the story, the runner drops dead after delivering the battle update.

Running a marathon takes confidence, endurance, and above all, a deep desire to run that damn far.  (Disclosure:  I have NOT run a marathon.  I thought about it once, but I want to stay in the ranks of people who do not run that far.  I do, however, continue to be impressed and awed at those who do run marathons) A friend of mine who ran the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. three times once told me that without support from family and friends, she would have never been able to find the strength to finish.  For some, running a marathon seems as much a mental challenge as a physical.  There are many who insist that anyone can run a marathon, as long as you follow a training schedule to work up to the distance.  Is Oprah proof?  Not all of us can afford a personal trainer for two years just to finish a marathon, but runners like Jeff Galloway provide advice and a training regimen on the Internet.  

I have a friend, Gordon, who has run a marathon on all seven continents.  Yes, that includes Antarctica.  There are people out there crazy enough to run 26 plus miles in a place cold and desolate enough to strike terror in the hearts of millions.  To my knowledge, Gordon has not completed the Pikes Peak Marathon.  

Barr Trail, on which the Pikes Peak Marathon is run, climbs 7300 feet in 12.6 miles.  I am not aware of any statistics, but surely it must be one of the steepest marathons available.  Many well-seasoned marathon runners can keep up a 6-8 minute mile pace, but the average pace of the PPM is 16-17 minute miles.  Most of that time is gained on the way UP the mountain.  On the way down, things progress faster.  My legs feel wobbly just thinking about running down the trail after running all that way up.  The race itself starts at 6300 feet in the quirky town of Manitou Springs.  There is nowhere to go but up. 

Weather can change rapidly in Colorado (rapidly, in as a matter of minutes), especially on a 14,000-foot mountain.  Runners are encouraged to have winter coats available for them as they near the top.  Of course, this means extra weight to carry on the run.  There are many pictures of shirtless marathon runners on various PPM tribute websites. – with snow piled in the background.  Clearly as long as you keep running, you will stay warm.  I won’t tell you about the history of injuries sustained on Pikes Peak during the races.  There are lots of pictures of those, too.

Marathon runners are most certainly a different breed of human.  Something in them makes them strive for an ultimate goal of endurance.  The emotional high after finishing a marathon is said to be fantastic. 

I guess the rest of us can only imagine.

This year’s Pike’s Peak Marathon is scheduled for August 20, 2005.  Are you ready for the challenge?  I will be thinking about you from the bottom of the mountain.

For more information: http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/

For marathon training advice: http://www.jeffgalloway.com/

Comments?  Have you run a marathon and have a cool story to pass on?  E-mail me.