How long of a Marathon did you do? (Page 2)

I do not call myself a half ironman. I call myself iron halfman. Then again the cyborgs will probably be angry at me for that one.

We had a group that pushed out the local triathlon and decided they wanted all the "money" for themselves so they hired a company to put on a tri-athlon. Needless to say it last only the 1 year. It ended over economic dispute between the village, the Lake Property Owners Association and the company organizing the race. It was the Lake Property Owners Association that basically wanted all the money for themselves. It was also the companies first race. The took the day and the course. The owners of the original race moved it 1 town over and held it the same day. The even shared the course a bit (lucky for racers it was in opposite directions).

Looks like it comes from the same people who own the Chicago 13.1 Marathon which has been around since 2008.

In a civilization that has advanced to the level of ordering pizza off the internet, why shouldn't we be able to finish a marathon in only 13.1 miles?

I also get this all the time, people ask me about my marathons and I have to tell them that I've actually only ran 1 marathon. They get a confused look on their face and I explain that the last race I ran was only a 5k. Sometimes, I just go along with it, it gets tiring correcting people and they are usually just trying to be friendly.

However, I can't believe that race directors/organizers don't do their research. I would be embarrassed to wear that race shirt around!

The Michelob Ultra race isn't calling itself a "marathon"-- it's trying to use the term "13.1 Marathon" instead of "Half-Marathon." I really don't see how this is that different from using "Ironman 70.3" vs "Half-Ironman".

Over the years there has been lots of talk in the running community about re-naming the half-marathon distance, because people don't like how it sounds like you're doing "half of a race". Personally it doesn't bother me, but I understand the effort at re-branding.

Edited by jennifer_runs 2014-02-14 12:33 PM

oohhh yes, I have heard plenty of people (in a certain state of a certain background) repeatedly refer to themselves as Ironmen and get the tattoo because they did a 70.3. they know better, but just can't stop themselves from false toot, toot, tooting. These are the same people that drive around with a stethoscope on their rear view mirror and wear scrubs to the airport but are NOT doctors. an honest mistakeis one thing, flat out b.s. to sound amazing is just plain crazy in a bad way .... while the true ironman is good crazy.

Edited by sheesleeva 2014-02-14 1:04 PM

mar·a·thon/'mær????n, -??n/ Show Spelled [mar-uh-thon, -thuhn] Show IPA
noun
1. a foot race over a course measuring 26 mi. 385 yards (42 km 195 meters).
2. any long-distance race.
3. any contest, event, or the like, of great, or greater than normal, length or duration or requiring exceptional endurance: a dance marathon; a sales marathon.


World English Dictionary
marathon ('mær???n)

— n
1. a race on foot of 26 miles 385 yards (42.195 kilometres): an event in the modern Olympics
2. a. any long or arduous task, assignment, etc
b. ( as modifier ): a marathon effort

[referring to the feat of the messenger who ran more than 20 miles from Marathon to Athens to bring the news of victory in 490 bc ]



mar·a·thon (mar'?-thon')
n.
1. Sports
a. A cross-country footrace of 26 miles, 385 yards (42.195 kilometers).
b. A long-distance race other than a footrace: a swimming marathon.
2.
a. A contest of endurance: a dance marathon.
b. An event or activity that requires prolonged effort or endurance.

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Hmmm, so marathon has various definitions. Evidently WE are the ones who are mistook. :-)

Is Chicago 13.1 Marathon or New york 13.1 Marathon or is it 13.1 Marathon that is trademarked?

The race distance was standardize in 1908. Who am I to break tradition?

Maybe we need to put on a 23 Marathon. If the top runners come out they will break the world record for a marathon right if the definition is a long distance race? I

Half Marathon is great marketing because it says marathon and calling it 13.1 marathon is even better marketing.

Now I have to be quite I have the Chicago Quarter Marathon to train for.

All that "marathon" running will explode your hearts and wear out your knees

Edited by TriJedi 2014-02-14 3:50 PM

I fully approve of this. Now I can say I have run a marathon distance.

LOL it reminds me of a student who, when he found out I was training for a HIM, said, "You really should train for the whole thing. Why would you train for something just to drop out halfway through?" When I explained what a HIM was, his response was, "'Half'" just makes it sound lame." Told him he could call it/me lame when he had his finisher's medal or tattoo for a full.

I got this from a facebook group I am apart of. "I have decided I will no longer use the word "Half". None of my 13.1 mile runs are half of anything..." I understand the feeling but then you need another name for half marathon and do not use marathon. Half marathon exists because its a successful marketing ploy.

You used to hear the name "Tinman" for half the Ironman. I liked that one.

I like it too. I googled tinman and I saw half ironman, Oly, and a spirit call themselves tinman.

Iron is 26 on the Periodic Table. 13 is Aluminum. So a half-iron would be Aluminum not tin. :-)