26.2 Miles ... the Ultimate Test of Mind & Body
Members of the Dr. Phillips Team LUNA Chix running group include (front, l. to r.) Dawn Davis, Judy Callan, Lan Anderson, (back, l. to r.) Sharon Breese, Dar Kelly, Piper Hood and Debbie Dolsak. |
Traveling 26.2 miles does not seem like a long distance, especially if done in a car. But the story changes when the car is left parked in the driveway, and the way from point A to point B is reliant solely on foot power. Yet, millions of people worldwide don running shoes each year to complete 26.2-mile racecourses, commonly known as marathons.
So, the question is, why would anyone want to run that distance? Runners and non-runners alike wonder the same thing; however, for some reason, the allure of |
| completing a marathon continues to entice many to register and hit the road. The distance of the marathon, appropriately named to commemorate the town of its origin, was not always 26.2 miles. In fact, at the 1896 inaugural modern Olympic Games held in Greece, the course measured about 24 miles, which was roughly the distance between Marathon and Athens. It was not until the 1908 London Olympic Games that the course was officially set at 26.2 miles. Adding the 2.2 miles allowed the race to start at Windsor Castle and end in front of the royal family’s viewing box at White City Stadium in London. The marathon traditionally is held as the last event of the summer Olympic games and previously was open only to men. However, the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics introduced a women’s division, and the gold medal went to U.S. runner Joan Benoit Samuelson, who recorded a time of 2:24:52. Outside of the Olympics, the Boston Athletic Association is credited with holding the world’s oldest annual marathon, with an inaugural date of April 19, 1897. It requires a qualifying time for nonprofessional runners to enter (with the exception of charitable organization entrants). Throughout the years, hundreds of marathons have been organized in all 50 U.S. states and on every continent in the world. They range in size from a few hundred participants to crowds reaching the tens of thousands. Many people envision marathon runners as lean, sinewy and young. In truth, marathoners come in all sizes, physical abilities and ages. Whether it is a desire to increase one’s fitness level, shed a few pounds, cross off a bucket list item, support a cause, or the result of a little armtwisting from a well-intentioned friend, people commit to marathon training every day. Myriad programs are available that cater to both seasoned athletes and firsttime runners and typically last 12 to 16 weeks. Running groups representing charitable organizations, such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training, American Diabetes Association’s Team Diabetes, and numerous other organized groups, provide guidance and support during the arduous training. Sponsored by Luna, a division of Clif Bar & Co., Team Luna Chix is an allwoman group with amateur teams across the U.S., as well as a Pro Team, that caters to both runners and cyclists, with a goal of encouraging women to be more active. Southwest resident Dar Kelly was the driving force behind establishing a local Team Luna Chix. “It’s funny, because it all began when I saw a Team Luna Chix shirt at a race,” Kelly said. “It’s all about the shirt and medal,” joked Kelly, who has completed six marathons; 10 half-marathons; and the Walt Disney World Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, which includes completing a half-marathon and marathon in two consecutive days. After an application process that began in April 2009 and included developing an organizational plan, contacting cyclist and running shops, as well as assembling a team, Kelly was approved as a Team Luna Chix ambassador and given the green light to establish the Dr. Phillips team. By April 2010, the team was up and running. The season officially spans from April to November; however, the Dr. Phillips group runs year-round. The group meets the first and third Saturday of the month at 6:50 a.m. in the Dr. P. Phillips YMCA Family Center parking lot. Women of all ages and fitness levels, from walkers to seasoned runners, are welcome. “We have many different levels of participants, so chances are you will find someone to pair up with,” said Summerport resident Dawn Davis, who is also an official Team Luna Chix ambassador. In addition to providing training support, the group participates in fundraisers to benefit the Breast Cancer Fund. Continuous running, at least the amount required for a marathon training program, can put a lot of stress on the body. From achy knees, sore muscles and, yes, an occasional lost toenail, runners must be mindful of the threat of injury. Training in the Florida heat also poses its own hazards, so runners are wise to stay well-hydrated and avoid running during the hottest time of the day. However, many runners contend the benefits of newfound friends, fitness and self-confidence outweigh the hardship of clocking the miles. |
