What is it that makes a marathon different from other shorter races? (And please remember that only the 42.195 km race should be called a marathon!)

Is it because you cannot just go and run a marathon and have a decent hope to complete it? Most relatively fit people can run a half marathon on very little practice and finish it. I have done it and I don’t say that it was painless, but it was possible. That is unthinkable for a marathon.

Is it because you have to plan to take in some calories while running a marathon? Up to a half marathon, one can just drink water and be OK. But one’s glycogen stores become depleted before the end of a marathon and without calories, you will hit the wall.

Or is it because of that fantastic feeling of accomplishment and the bragging rights that you get when completing a marathon?

I would like to think the marathon is a song of praise to our Creator. We say “Thank you for the ability that You have given me and the willpower and perseverance that You have given me to take this ability and work with it to accomplish this extraordinary thing.”

If you have completed a marathon you are one of an elite crowd. Maybe one percent of the population of the earth will run a marathon in their lifetime. Between runners, less than 50% will ever attempt a full marathon. Congratulations to all who ran the Daily World marathon here in Mohali on Sunday!

For those who are interested. My race went really well as I improved my personal best to 3:08:23. Maybe now I should try for sub three?

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I slowed down considerably during my last 6 kilometres. Definitely room for improvement there.

 

Lastly, I received a verse from two different sources within a few minutes yesterday so I think I must share it. 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” I have been pondering the relevance of this verse to my life. Yes, I have accepted the power of the cross in my life. And God is more impressed with holiness than with physical strength. Taking up one’s own cross and following Jesus (to die of our own desires and will)  is how we will keep our lives, not by clinging to our health or our strength. It is probably a question of what is central. Is Jesus receiving the highest honour in my life or am I usurping His rightful place in my life? Let me know how you see it? 

Keep running

Stephan