Who should run a marathon?
The Chicago marathon ran into trouble this past Sunday with temperatures in the high 80's along with high humidity. I grew up near Chicago, and know what it's like to try and run through weather that feels like hot soup.
Of the 45,000 runners registered for the Chicago marathon, about 10,000 didn't even show up to run, probably because of the heat. Another 10,000 didn't finish, in part because the race organizers closed the course after 3 1/2 hours due to shortages of water and Gatorade.
I ran the Chicago marathon in 1999, when the temperature never got above 40 degrees. But I've also run a marathon in Phoenix (high temps but low humidity) and Burlington, Vermont (you'd think it would be cool, but the temperature was in the high 80's along with high humidity). It's not as much fun running in hot weather, but it's certainly doable.
If:
If you've trained in hot weather.
If you're adequately hydrated at the start of the marathon.
If you pace yourself. 26.2 miles is a long way.
If you drink regularly throughout the race, using primarily sports beverages.
If you're dressed appropriately. Tights are NOT suggested in the heat.
Some bloggers are demanding qualifying times for all marathons, supposedly to prevent problems with the heat. I don't buy it. Not everyone can, or should, run a marathon. But if you put in the prep time, learn how your body reacts in various weather conditions, and take the advice of the race directors you can certainly set a goal to run and finish a marathon. There is always the potential for injury, and not just due to the heat: you could slip on a tossed water cup and break your leg; you could trip over a hole in the street and break your arm; you could have a heart attack while running.
Life is full of risk. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be prepared for the possibility of risk, but it also doesn't mean that we should avoid all risky situations. If you see a marathon in your future, go for your goal.
Of the 45,000 runners registered for the Chicago marathon, about 10,000 didn't even show up to run, probably because of the heat. Another 10,000 didn't finish, in part because the race organizers closed the course after 3 1/2 hours due to shortages of water and Gatorade.
I ran the Chicago marathon in 1999, when the temperature never got above 40 degrees. But I've also run a marathon in Phoenix (high temps but low humidity) and Burlington, Vermont (you'd think it would be cool, but the temperature was in the high 80's along with high humidity). It's not as much fun running in hot weather, but it's certainly doable.
If:
If you've trained in hot weather.
If you're adequately hydrated at the start of the marathon.
If you pace yourself. 26.2 miles is a long way.
If you drink regularly throughout the race, using primarily sports beverages.
If you're dressed appropriately. Tights are NOT suggested in the heat.
Some bloggers are demanding qualifying times for all marathons, supposedly to prevent problems with the heat. I don't buy it. Not everyone can, or should, run a marathon. But if you put in the prep time, learn how your body reacts in various weather conditions, and take the advice of the race directors you can certainly set a goal to run and finish a marathon. There is always the potential for injury, and not just due to the heat: you could slip on a tossed water cup and break your leg; you could trip over a hole in the street and break your arm; you could have a heart attack while running.
Life is full of risk. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be prepared for the possibility of risk, but it also doesn't mean that we should avoid all risky situations. If you see a marathon in your future, go for your goal.
Labels: marathon
posted by Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryan at
10:03 AM
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