The Journey to Marathon (First in a Series)

I'm training to run the Houston Marathon in Janaury--my first. Since April, I've been involved in the Bayou City Road Runners, a Houston-area running club. Basically, we do training runs and races, together--which helps you stay focused--and happy hours--which helps you maintain an appropriate BAC. The photo on the right shows several of us at Valhalla after our 6.7 mile Wednesday run. The decision to run a marathon is somewhat influenced by virtue of being in the group.

A marathon takes it's name from a Greek myth, that a Athenian soldier, Pheidippides, ran 26 miles from Athens to Marathon to announce the defeat of the Persian Army. He died shortly after delivering the message. (Don't freak out, Mom, the guy just didn't train right.)

The International Amateur Athletic Federation fixed the length of a marathon at 42.195 km or 26 miles 385 yards. That is the same distance as used by the 1908 London Olympics, which extended the length of the race to afford the Royal Family a better view of the race.

I wonder how many Royals have run a marathon?

Since I've started down this path, I've felt better and happier than ever before in my life. Regular cardiovascular exercise releases atleast two kinds of naturally-occurring chemicals into your body. One chemical causes physical relaxation, the other produces an anti-depressant-like substance.
I can't stress enough, the value of a red wine--with a velvety finish--after a rigorous run. (This vineyard's cabernet is a good example.) It's probably my favorite training incentive.