I have trained and run fast marathons. I think some of the cautions against marathons are reasonable and deserve consideration. My opinion is that marathons suck and I probably won't run another mostly because the serious training involved eats knee cartilage, vacuums family time, and turns the runner into a brittle self concerned eating disorder poster child. The flip side is that training and running this strange weird distance offers deep satisfaction and a personal reward that might transcend joint aches, heart risks, and muscle pulls. I am a general track fan and understand the argument that the popularity of 'marathons for the masses' has not slowed the decline of interest in shorter (sic) running events in the US (different story in Europe). If the focus of the argument is health and the runner is a one-timer housewife, then the health and social benefits of running a marathon far outweigh the negatives. For serious knee cartilage-eating runners, I think the equation is different and skews negative. That big city marathons raise charity money and increase focus on general health issues is a obviously a good thing. I think many marathoners would agree that the journey is the destination and can recount many training days with greater clarity than the race itself. Regardless of the distance, I hope we all get out and run some good training days.
