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The story behind the bizarre 26.2-mile distance of the modern marathon dates back to the fabled Greek messenger Pheidippides, who ran all the way from the Battle of Marathon to Athens, a total distance of—you guessed it—26.2 miles. After completing these 26.2 miles, Pheidippides collapsed dead from exhaustion.
Why millions of people throughout the course of history have decided to follow in the bloody footsteps of a dead man is anybody’s guess, but here we are.
The marathon gained popularity in the United States after the 1908 Olympics, and has been growing in popularity ever since. There are great established marathons every year all over the United States, from the New York City Marathon to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego. If you want to get into an individual sport with varying skill levels that gives you the opportunity to travel, then look no further—these marathons are worth the trip! After all, what better way is there to see a city than running 26.2 miles through its streets?
So you want to run the marathon? Sure, anyone can run. Well, not so fast. If you don’t want to end up like Pheidippides, you’re going to need to have a training schedule. These consist of a set number of miles every day for a number of weeks, averaging about 40 miles a week. Look at training programs online and find the one that’s best for you.
And don’t forget to carboload! Glycogen is very important in super-long distance running. Don’t just eat spaghetti the night before, either—keep Gatorade and energy gels on hand at all times.
Good luck!
