The Spartathalon - 152 mile race!!!

[gauchogolfer]

ESPN link:

Run from Athens to Sparta, about 152 miles:

The Spartathlon is about five miles short of six consecutive marathons. The course is based on Herodotus' account of the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. Pheidippides, an Athenian messenger, was sent to summon troop reinforcements against the invading Persians and arrived in Sparta "one day later."

In 1982, British Royal Air Force officer John Foden tested the ancient tale and finished the course in 36 hours, laying the groundwork for the annual race.

To qualify for this event, participants must have finished a 62-mile race in less than 10½ hours, completed a 125-mile race or finished or reached a certain checkpoint in a previous Spartathlon.

So, who's ready to start training with me?

 

[iGary]

32 miles is as far as I have ever run.

And it almost killed me.

No thanks.

 

[xsedrinam]

ESPN link:

Run from Athens to Sparta, about 152 miles:



So, who's ready to start training with me?

I've only run one ultra but it was only an 80K (50 miler). It sounds absurd, but the ultras aren't as bad (sound knees and conditioning, of course included) as a marathon, since there's usually a slower overall pace. Winner in this ran at about an 8:41 mile pace.

 

[bemylover]

Just a simple ING NYC Marathon will be quite enough for me, thanks

To be honest, I don't get the whole point of utlras
1. The "normal" marathon is big enough vhallenge to test oneself
and
2. It goes through "the wall". So there is no point in going further, nothings gonna happen there

 

[iGary]

Just a simple ING NYC Marathon will be quite enough for me, thanks

To be honest, I don't get the whole point of utlras
1. The "normal" marathon is big enough vhallenge to test oneself
and
2. It goes through "the wall". So there is no point in going further, nothings gonna happen there

That's a great race - done two of them, and despite it being blazing hot and miserable, I still had a great time. I can't believe I made the lottery two years in a row.

Great, great race.

 

[bemylover]

That's a great race - done two of them, and despite it being blazing hot and miserable, I still had a great time. I can't believe I made the lottery two years in a row.

Great, great race.

wow, are you lucky

I lost lottery for this year and I really, really hope to win for the next one I don't live in NYC right now, so I can't do the 9 qualifying runs to get guaranteed entry; and to get there through charity organizations one has to pay $2000

 

[skunk]

The origin of this story is complete rubbish. Pheidippides allegedly ran from the Plain of Marathon to Athens, to bring the good news of victory against the Persians, not to Sparta to summon reinforcements. It's 26 miles from Marathon to Athens. The story wasn't recorded until 700 years later, so it's probably apocryphal anyway. Sheesh.

 

[xsedrinam]

The origin of this story is complete rubbish. Pheidippides allegedly ran from the Plain of Marathon to Athens, to bring the good news of victory against the Persians, not to Sparta to summon reinforcements. It's 26 miles from Marathon to Athens. The story wasn't recorded until 700 years later, so it's probably apocryphal anyway. Sheesh.

Browning probably writes about it, best:

"So, when Persia was dust, all cried, "To Acropolis!
Run, Pheidippides, one race more! the meed is thy due!
Athens is saved, thank Pan, go shout!" He flung down his shield
Ran like fire once more: and the space 'twixt the fennel-field
And Athens was stubble again, a field which a fire runs through,
Till in he broke: "Rejoice, we conquer!" Like wine through clay,
Joy in his blood bursting his heart, he died - the bliss!"

He only ran a 34.5Km (21.4 miler), and died on the spot. Must have gone out too fast. It happens every time.

 

[skunk]

He only ran a 34.5Km (21.4 miler), and died on the spot.

What a lightweight.

 

[iGary]

wow, are you lucky

I lost lottery for this year and I really, really hope to win for the next one I don't live in NYC right now, so I can't do the 9 qualifying runs to get guaranteed entry; and to get there through charity organizations one has to pay $2000

I did the AIDS Marathon Charity to get into my first - the Marine Corps.

Totally addictive. I miss it a lot - hope to get back into one of these days. A great way to test yourself and have a lot of fun. Keep trying - the race is totally worth it.

Chicago is awesome, too.

 

[xsedrinam]

I did the AIDS Marathon Charity to get into my first - the Marine Corps.

Totally addictive. I miss it a lot - hope to get back into one of these days. A great way to test yourself and have a lot of fun. Keep trying - the race is totally worth it.

Chicago is awesome, too.

Gary, were you ever able to recupe from the surgery, or is the back/knee thing still plaguing you? I understand the positive addiction, and just to be able to get out and move is reward enough.

 

[iGary]

Gary, were you ever able to recupe from the surgery, or is the back/knee thing still plaguing you? I understand the positive addiction, and just to be able to get out and move is reward enough.

I've probably recovered as much as I can from the back surgery in September of last year. Problem is, I haven't been able to run in a year, and I'm back to square one, which is daunting *remembers first year of training.* My back gets stiff and sore every day, but it's not so bad I can't start jogging and biking again.

I've also had an at home desk job sitting on my ass for a year and gained 30 pounds.

Long story short, I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and get back out there slowly, lose some weight and build back up to where I was.

Everyone keeps telling me "Oh, you'll never run another marathon." (Doctors, physical therapists, my significant other.) I don't give up so easy. Marathoning is easily the most enjoyable thing I've ever done in my life and I miss it badly. I know if I get back down to 185, I'd have NO issues running 6-8 marathons a year again.


*eats pizza*

Sorry for the long rant.

 

[xsedrinam]

I don't give up so easy. Marathoning is easily the most enjoyable thing I've ever done in my life and I miss it badly. I know if I get back down to 185, I'd have NO issues running 6-8 marathons a year again.


*eats pizza*

Okay, here's a motivation reminder for the runner in you That is all.

 

[WildCowboy]

Okay, here's a motivation reminder for the runner in you That is all.

Best. Movie. Ever.

I can watch that one all day...

"He's gonna lead you down the path of righteousness; I'm gonna lead you down the path that rocks!"

 

[pianoman]

i read about the North Pole marathon in one of my dad's running magazines - you run in circles around the North Pole for 26.2 miles and then fly back to Norway. it costs something like $10,000.

 

[iGary]

Okay, here's a motivation reminder for the runner in you That is all.

Saved for reminder.