Episode 65: Marathons AKA Running Nonstop for 42KM. Sounds Fun, Right?!

Listen to this Episode of "Coffee with Gringos" here or on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and Stitcher.

Ian: Hey everyone, you are listening to “Coffee with Gringos.”  I'm Ian Kennedy.

Paige:  And I'm Paige Sutherland.  

Ian: And today, we're going to talk about an activity that's both challenging and fun for some. And in my opinion, it takes a little bit of craziness, and a little bit of stupidity, as well as motivation to do what we're going to talk about. So today we're going to talk about marathons. So, running marathons are no easy task. I have someone next to me, our co-host Paige, who has experience with marathons. So, Paige, how about you tell us what's it like running a marathon, what's it like training for a marathon.

Paige: Awful. I'm not gonna lie, it's a lot of training, it's a lot of miles, it's a lot of months. And then you get to race day, and you run and you look at your watch, and you're, like, two hours in and I still have to run for another hour and a half. So, it's a long, long long race you have to, like, download some podcasts, have some good playlists queued up, because you're in it. And if you're someone who's, like, running just to complete it and not really training like you're gonna run for six hours.

Ian:  So, tell us again how long exactly is a marathon?

Paige: We measure everything in miles in the US, so 26.2 miles, but here where everything's measuring kilometers, it's 42 kilometers. Well, it's a marathon. So, it's an absurd amount of distance. So, you really, like you said, you kind of have to You really like you said you kind of have to be crazy to run it. And in the past five years there's been a surge in crazy people, because everyone around. Everyone runs marathons. I mean, you talk to the average person and it's not marathons used to be kind of like you're a runner, you're an elite runner, like, maybe you ran in college, maybe you’re professional and you, like, run this for almost a career. Now, it's like your neighbor Pam runs it here realtor runs like everyone is running marathons. I mean, the marathon I ran was Chicago and I think there were 30,000 people in my race.

Ian: Wow, that's a lot more.

Paige: Imagine and that's just one marathon. I mean, you could probably go online and there'd be a marathon in every city. Any weekend of the year. It's crazy and they're all over the world. There was one in Virginia. Just recently, there's the Santiago one, I mean they're everywhere.

Ian: Yeah, you're right. It seems like in recent years the popularity has just been booming. And again, I don't know if people are being crazy or maybe no. But in all seriousness society, it is something that's like you said, you know, maybe your neighbor or maybe your friend someone who you definitely wouldn't consider an elite runner, they're taking a tackle running one of these. And while I personally am getting more into running—I enjoy some running—I cannot imagine myself running a marathon. It's just so long, seems very painful, doesn't seem like the way I'd want to spend a day, let alone, training for months, right? Because the training process has to be pretty grueling in order to get through one of these, right?

Paige: Yeah, I think if you want to run a decent marathon, the worst part is the training. Because you have to put in, if you really want to run fast, like, five months. So, I mean, that means, like, every week you're trying to the week on the weekend you're running 10 to 20-mile runs. Yes, so, like, a lot of commitment.

Ian: So, like, maybe what would be common like during a week of training? How many miles do you think a typical person would run to train for a marathon?

Paige: With the long run, I mean, you're probably running 40 to 50 miles a week

Ian: Wow.

Paige: And obviously, towards the end where you're running, you know, long run of 20 miles, you're probably running, you know, definitely in the 50’s, but it depends. It really depends on, like, what time you want in the race. If you just want to finish it, you can run a little during the week but you have to run the long run, which is the hardest part. But yeah, I think it's really interesting just how popular it's been because when I grew up, like, I ran in high school and running is kind of, like, the loser, nerdy sport. It's not, like, up there with baseball or soccer or the other sports, and now, it's like everyone's a runner. It's, like, become this like sport of the masses.

Ian: Yeah, you're right, you're right. That goes back to sort of the popularity, that aspect of it and how it's so popular now, but it's cool. It's a way to challenge yourself for a lot of people, it's setting a goal for yourself. Can I have the discipline to train for four months for something? Can I work hard towards something I've never done before? Something that I never thought would be possible to do physically or mentally? Because I'm sure the mental side of it is huge as well. So, for a lot of people I think it's great. Like you mentioned, you can be, you know, a middle aged mom who has the goal of, “hey I want to be in shape, I want to prove something to myself”, or you can be the elite, Olympic runner and maybe your goal is to break a world record. Either way, you're getting a lot out of it and it's an important and amazing experience.

Paige: Yeah, it's, it's definitely a high. I will say, like, when you finish a marathon, you're, like, “Whoa, that was, I did that. Like, I ran that far.” So, I can definitely understand, like, the people who maybe get a rush and are addicted, because it is, like, quite an accomplishment to run that far. I think, for me, as someone who like used to run in college, I'm amazed by the professionals. I mean, some of them are running their mile pace for 26.2 miles almost faster than I can run one mile, which is insane. That's the thing, like, the average person is running a marathon at a pretty slow, consistent pace. They're just, like, trying to maintain, but, like, the professionals are, like, sprinting just for 26.2 miles. I mean, it's insane how fast they're running. I don't know how their bodies survive.

Ian: Yeah, it's incredible. It's like superhuman strength or superhuman endurance when you see these kinds of athletes running, you know. And to even be able to say you're in the same event as them technically is something alone—that's pretty amazing. So, like I said, you know, it’s something I don't foresee myself doing, at least in the near future. Maybe I'll have a change of perspective in the future, maybe I'll want to do it, but right now, I think maybe I put my limited a half marathon maybe.

Paige: And quick reminder, don't forget if you want to advance your English more learn more, go online to dynamicenglish.cl where you can take private classes you can take group classes. You can even now take classes online—when you're running a marathon.

Ian: I'm sure, like I said, there's a lot of a lot of mental aspects to it, as well. So, what kind of things do you personally, or others that you know, what are some things that you do to prepare yourself while you're running? I'm sure there's moments within the race where you think, “What am I doing? How am I going to finish this?” Is it, you know, like that you have a music playlist? You have a podcast? Maybe you have a mantra you say in your head, to keep you from getting tired or frustrated?

Paige: I think for most people, the biggest thing is you train so long, so you put in such an investment that when you come to race day, you kind of fight off all those demons in your head. They're like, “Just quit. This is stupid, like, no one cares.” And you, like, kind of run through the pain because you're, like, “you know, I spent $200 for this race. I spent, you know, three months, four months training, running 20 mile runs when I could have been drinking or doing this and that.” So, it's a big sacrifice that when you get to race day, I think you can power through it, but the other thing, honestly, and some of these big marathons, is the crowds. I mean, you run Boston, Chicago, New York, and there are thousands, thousands of people cheering you on—signs, bands, like, all of these things. And then the people in the race of you, like I said, I mean in Chicago, 30,000 people ran it with me. So, you're never alone, and you look at this guy, or this girl, or this little child and you're like, “if they can do it, I can do it.” And you kind of feed off everyone's energy.

Ian: Sure, sure. I think of the quote of “Misery loves company.” Yeah, when I think about people running marathons together, yeah, I can imagine [it’s] a lot easier to stay motivated when you have a lot of people cheering you on, and a lot of other people by your side who are also suffering for the same goal. So, I feel like there's probably a lot of, like, a sense of community within this sort of painful, difficult activity that everyone's doing together. Would you say that's pretty accurate?

Paige: Oh, absolutely. I mean, you're really in the big races, you're honestly never alone. Like, even in mile 23, you're having hundreds of people near you. So, it motivates you, because you know, it's easy to quit on yourself, but when you see everyone else around you not quitting, you're like, “I can't quit.” It's almost, like, shameful.

Ian: Yeah, exactly. Exactly like you said, you spent $200, you spent how many months running, you should at least finish it if you can, right? Yeah so, the goal.

Paige: So, what's nuts too is the, like I said, there's been this huge boom in marathons. There's even, it's almost like a marathon isn't enough anymore. Like, people are, like, “okay, I've accomplished the marathon. Now let's do, like, ultra-marathons, which can be, like, 40 miles in the woods, up mountains. And then there's Ironman's, where you swim a bunch, bike a bunch and then you finish by running a marathon. It's insane that a marathon, which is such an accomplishment itself, so hard, that that's jus, like, not enough. People are, like, “I need a bigger challenge.”

Ian: Yeah, it's crazy. It's a real test the limits of the human potential because I've heard a lot of stories of, like you said, ultra-marathoners—people who decide, “I'm going to run 100 plus miles.” I heard the case of someone who, for charity, there's someone who ran 50 marathons in 50 days, and what absolutely crazy. Yeah,

Paige: How's that even possible?

Ian: That's what I said. Yeah, but the person, they trained for months and months and months before. Yeah, they did. It was all through South Africa, they did 50 marathons in 50 days to raise charity for AIDS. And there's also another pretty famous ultra-marathoner in the United States who ran 50 marathons in 50 days in each of the 50 states in the United States. Even more impressive than that, is as time went on, his times decreased—his times got faster for his marathons.

Paige: That's insane. It just seems like the potential is never ending—it's always going up. I just wonder, what is your knees like? I mean, I can't imagine running that much in such a little bit of time. Completely, I mean I'm not good at math but 26 miles times 50, that's a really big number.

Ian: Yeah, yeah. Too much, too much.

Paige: The other one I heard was there's people who run in seven days a marathon and every continent.  

Ian: Wow.

Paige: So, like, not only do they have to run a marathon but they have to get to the next continent, which is jet lag, time zones, like, you know, airports, all that in seven days, and that's exhausting itself.

Ian: Can you imagine running a marathon and then going through all the exhaustion of airport, flight, new country, new food?

Paige: Yeah, it's insane, obviously one of them is on Antarctica. Like, what are they even running? I feel like a marathon is, like, a super challenge. It's crazy about people are, like, not enough.

Ian: More than enough for me.

Paige: Very true, very true.  Yeah, well, the Santiago marathon is coming up. I think it's in March or April, so you got to start training.

Ian: Yeah, well, I'm gonna have to drink a little less beer first. Put the beer bottle down, and put on the shoes and start running a little bit. And eventually, maybe, maybe I can get it done. I need your help since you have experience.

Paige:  So, well, for those listeners who are maybe training for a marathon, a great thing to pass the time is to listen to “Coffee with Gringos.”

Ian: Exactly.

Paige: Queue up all the episodes, learn a little English while you're training.

Ian: Sounds like a good plan. And you can thank us when you get a great time.

Paige: Exactly. Well, as always, if you get lost, check out the transcript and audio guide online and thanks for listening.

Ian: We'll see you next time.

Key Vocabulary, Phrases and Slang:

1.     task (noun): a job or work to be done.

a.     Learning a new language is no easy task.

2.     queued up (phrasal verb): to have something ready.

a.     I queued up all of my favorite songs for my commute to work.

3.     absurd (adjective): ridiculous, crazy.

a.     It’s absurd to think you could swim across the ocean.

4.     surge (noun): sudden increase in popularity.

a.     Podcasts have seen such a surge in recent years.

5.     booming (adjective): suddenly increasing.

a.     The use of the internet was booming in the early 2000’s.

6.     to take a tackle at something (phrasal verb): to try or attempt something new.  

a.     I decided to take a tackle at learning how to skateboard.

7.     grueling: extremely tiring or demanding.

a.     He survived the grueling process of becoming an army soldier.

8.     nerdy: uncool or unpopular

a.     She was always the nerdy girl in school.

9.     masses (noun): large collection of people.

a.     The masses came together outside to protest.

10.  rush (noun): sudden enjoyment or thrill

a.     You can get such a rush from rock climbing.

11.  to foresee (verb): to predict, be aware of something before it happens.

a.     I foresee a lot of rain today. I should bring my jacket.

12.  mantra (noun): word or phrase repeated to motivate and concentrate.

a.     I always say my mantra to myself when I am running long distance.

13.  power through (phrasal verb): to endure, to continue and finish something, even when difficult.  

a.     I have to power through my final exams and then I can enjoy my summer break.

14.  to cheer (verb): to show support, to motivate someone else.

a.    I always cheer loudly for my brother when he competes in soccer.

15.  to feed off of (phrasal verb): to get strength, energy or motivation from something.

a.     He feeds off of the energy of the crowd whenever he is in a race.

16.  accurate (adjective): correct.

a.    We need to make sure the information is accurate before we report it.

17.  shameful (adjective): embarrassing, causing shame or disgrace.

a.   The way they treat their customers is shameful.

18.  nuts (adjective, slang): crazy, unbelievable.

a.     It’s nuts that people can run hundreds of miles!

19.  jet lag (noun): extreme tiredness after traveling on a long flight.  

a.     She always gets jet lag when she flies to Europe.

20.  exhausting (adjective): extremely tiring.

a.     Training for a marathon is so exhausting. I hope it will be worth it!