BY CHRISTIAN WARREN FREED
Journey back with me, friends. To a time when the world was still raw. Those of you who know me know I love history, the older the better. Let me transport you to Greece in 490 B.C. Long before the unification of the city-states under Alexander, Greece fought for their very existence. The Persians had set their sights on the nation and were pressing ahead with their conquest.
The one thing they didn’t count on was the sheer brilliance of Greek warfare. They also certainly didn’t count on the various city-states banding together. The result was what history knows as the Battle of Marathon.
After a stunning Greek victory, legend says a young warrior named Pheidippides ran 26.2 miles from the battlefield to inform those in Athens of the Persian defeat. Legend also claims he perished shortly after delivering the message. While many facts are occluded over time, this one happened to grow into something far beyond the noble act of selfless service it began as. Thus was born the origins of what we now consider the marathon.
Flash forward 2,500-ish years and here we are. Countless people hit the pavement every year for a variety of reasons. Whether they run to support a cause, for personal gratification, or to take part in something greater than themselves, running continues to gain popularity. Especially distance running. It is estimated that there are up to 4,000 marathons run each year with a whopping 11 million participants.
With numbers that high, chances are you either know someone who likes to strap on a pair of good running shoes, or you might have thought about it yourself. If you fall into the latter category, this might just provide the inspiration you’ve been looking for.
Like anything worth doing in life, prepping for a marathon or even a basic 5K comes down to having two simple things: the right mind frame and proper training. The old saying that ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ certainly applies here. It takes time, the proper equipment, and conditioning to get your body where it needs to be to tackle 26 miles in a few hours.
Holly Springs’ very own Mike Patterson of the Holly Springs Police Department says, “I have to have a plan if I am running any distance greater than a 10K (6.2 miles). If I do not have a plan, then it affects my training, mentally and physically. Mentally, it causes me to feel unorganized, and physically, it could normally cause injury if I do not taper up or down properly. I like to overdo it, so this is important for me.”
Don’t underestimate this planning phase. Mike says it takes him anywhere from 12 to 18 weeks to get where he’s comfortable. And he should know. Right now, Mike is training for the 48.6-mile Dopey Marathon down in Florida.
But being physically and mentally fit before a distance race is one matter. Runners need to worry about what happens after as well. New Hill’s Steve DiGangi had his share of experiences from running cross-country in high school to being on the marathon team at the United States Military Academy. Given his experience running the Boston Marathon, his are words of wisdom any new runner should heed:
“I had a plan, I knew my plan, and even if things went sideways, I could still get a hot meal and try again later. The part that stinks is that you know you’re going into it and it’s just going to really, really hurt. I blacked out for 3 miles my first marathon and could barely walk for days because I had given every ounce of energy I had. Physically, you’ll feel like you’ve just been hit by a train. A big train. Moving quickly. It’s a super strange dichotomy. I couldn’t climb into my bed after my first marathon and walked like an arthritic 100-year-old for days on end.”
It’s important to stop and pause here. Please note that if you are indeed thinking of beginning this journey you need to talk to a few professionals, not just take the word of the people who have gone before you. This article is just passing out a few pearls of wisdom from people who have done this a lot…not offering professional advice.
Ginger Anderson adds, “When doing these types of strenuous activities, it’s important to consider nutrition and rest.”
She takes her running experiences a step further by having participated in numerous virtual races. While she still puts in the miles, she admits these types of races are fun. “To me, they are less ‘competitive’ in nature and allow you to do races at your own pace. They usually require you to upload proof that you completed the distance through snapshots of exercise watches such as Garmin, Fitbit, Apple, etc.”
If you aren’t up for putting yourself out there in the midst of large groups and prefer the quieter races where you set your own pace, virtual racing might be for you. I’m sure you’ve seen ads or copy with a shiny medal and a flashy name. One that sticks out in my head is the “Hadrian’s Wall” race.
But if old history of the Roman occupation of Great Britian isn’t up your alley, a quick Google search will lead you down a rabbit hole of virtual races taking place around the world almost daily. Many of the event organizers donate proceeds to charity or notable causes.
Some virtual races coming up include the popular “Mutts and Marshmallows” at the start of the year. This will be both in person and virtual – but let’s face, you can bring your favorite pup out for the festivities if you go in person.
If you’re feeling social, you might be interested in participating in a few upcoming local events. Holly Springs holds their annual “Race Against the Sun” event from Saturday, February 24 to Sunday, February 25, and offers either the day race or a night race, for you night owls. This is a grueling 24-hour endurance event with relay options.
You might also consider hitting the Apex American Tobacco Trail for the “Mardi Gras Run for Their Lives” event. Proceeds from this race go to the nonprofit Zoe Empowers and their work with orphans and vulnerable youths.
So, there you have it. Maybe you’ve been thinking about getting into running and trying a race for a while or maybe you suddenly found the inspiration here at the start of the new year. Either way, head over to your favorite sporting goods store, splurge on the right pair of running shoes, and hit the pavement. Don’t forget to make a plan and do the necessary research. A lifetime in the Army taught me one fact – plans might change, but having one in place takes care of so many potential problems. Distance running is no different.
See you on the streets!
Helpful links to get you started:
Mutts and Marshmallows: www.muttsandmarshmallows.com
Holly Springs Race Against the Sun: runsignup.com/Race/NC/HollySprings/HollySpringsRaceAgainsttheSun
Mardis Gras Run for Their Lives: mardigrasrunfortheirlives.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx
2024 Virtual Races (powered by Moon Joggers): virtualrunevent.com/shop/ols/categories/2024-virtual-races
