Most people know what a marathon is, but for those who don’t, here is a brief rundown. A marathon is a type of race where people run for a period of time that is usually much longer than a normal race. For example, a marathon usually lasts for between 24 and 96 hours, while a regular 5k would only last for 20 or so minutes. This difference in length makes up for the fact that the effort required for a marathon is significantly higher than that of a normal race. The distance between two points (also known as the course distance) is usually measured in miles. Nowadays, the term ‘marathon’ is sometimes used interchangeably with ‘speedway’, but the two are not the same. A marathon is usually scheduled to last over 26 miles, and that’s what makes it different from a speedway. This article is going to go over the essential differences between the two sports so that you can become better acquainted with what is entailed in participating in one versus the other.
Differences Between Marathons And Speedway
The first and most obvious difference between a marathon and a speedway is the length of the races. You have a 24-96 hour window to complete a marathon, while a speedway only has a 20-minute window to get round. While that may not sound like a big deal, it makes a massive difference in terms of how you prepare for each event. For example, you can easily underestimate the effort that is required for a marathon just because its duration is shorter than that of a speedway. That can lead to serious injuries or even death. That is certainly not the case with speedway, where the effort is more or less the same as that of a marathon, but the length of the race makes a significant difference in terms of how you need to prepare.
The second major difference between a marathon and a speedway is how they are structured. A marathon is usually comprised of a series of individual races, known as ‘events’, that are connected by a ‘relay’ or ‘scenic’ run. This means that you will start off by running a particular distance, and then pass the baton to another runner who will continue the race. When you reach the end of your ‘individual’ event, you will begin a new one, and so on. This is in contrast to a speedway, where participants will travel around a track in a single lap. In a sense, marathons are like a real-life version of a relay race, where each runner has to complete a section of the course, before handing the baton to the next person. The fact that each runner has to pull their own weight makes the effort required for a marathon much higher than that of a speedway. That is reflected in the number of injuries and fatalities that occur during marathons compared to those that occur during speedway events. In terms of who wins, it is generally accepted that the male winners of the Boston Marathon are the greatest male marathon runners of all time, while the Indianapolis 500 is considered to be the greatest all-time race on dirt. You can compare that to the Indianapolis 500 being the greatest all-time race on pavement. As for the top female marathon runners, Chenot Paris-Boursier of France holds the record for the most wins with four. One of her famous victories was the 1924 Paris Marathon, which she won in a time of 3:45:00. Her four wins make her the most successful female marathon runner of all time. Two other Frenchwomen, Michelene Wandjack and Adrienne Cook, also have four wins to their name. Cook is probably the best-known female marathon runner of all time, as she holds the record for the fastest marathon time ever. Her time of 2:23:12, set in 1966, is still the standard for female marathon runners. You may also know her as the “Goddess of the Road” since she is often depicted wearing a crown and carrying a spear in the ‘I’m a Lady’ series of ads. Those are the basics of what you need to know about marathons and how they are different from speedways. Don’t expect to simply show up and run in a marathon. Without proper training, you may suffer serious injuries or even death. This sport is not for the faint-hearted. It takes a lot of dedication to be able to complete one, and it pays off in terms of the feeling of accomplishment you get once you cross the line. This is certainly not a ‘do-it-quick’ sport. You need to be prepared to put in the effort, and be smart about it. If you want to learn more, check out this resource link hosted by RunningUSA, which gives you access to an encyclopedia of information on running and the requirements you need to meet in order to successfully participate in a marathon.
The Health Benefits Of Marathons
While there are certainly risks associated with participating in a marathon, there are a lot of health benefits to be had from doing so. Let’s take a look at some of them.
One of the biggest and most obvious benefits of participating in a marathon is the impact it has on your body. All that running causes your body to undergo a process known as ‘oxygenation’. This is where the oxygen that is in your air is taken up by your blood. The more you breathe, the more your blood gets oxygenated, which leads to an improved level of fitness in terms of your body’s ability to perform. The oxygen that is in your air is also beneficial to your brain, since your brain needs a lot of oxygen in order to function at its best. Your body’s requirement for oxygen increases as you get older (duh), but being in good shape, and participating in a marathon, greatly reduces the amount of aging you will experience. It is well known that running is good for your body and is associated with a number of health advantages, but lets take a quick look at some of its more obvious benefits.
Increased Bone Density
Did you know that running increases your body’s production of ‘growth hormone’? That is an important hormone, which promotes the growth of cells in your body, especially in your bones. It plays a vital role in maintaining and improving your body’s muscle mass. Since increased bone density is one of the major health benefits of running, a lot of runners opt to take ‘bone broth’ supplements, which are rich in collagen and amino acids. As a result, their bones become stronger than those of nonrunners. While growth hormone is important, it is important to remember that it is also important to maintain a healthy level of serotonin within your body. Too much growth hormone, and you can wind up with a number of problems, including depression and anxiety. This is why you generally do not want to go overboard and try to increase your dosage of this hormone, especially if you are already getting the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of this substance through food. Simply maintaining a healthy level is usually sufficient for most people, and it makes a lot more sense than trying to ‘game’ the system and get more out of it. This is especially important to keep in mind if you are going to be taking supplements, which will inevitably lead you to try and increase your dosage beyond that which you can obtain from food alone.
Faster Recovery
Did you know that taking a break after you finish a marathon is much better for you than not taking one? It is true! After you complete a marathon, your body goes into ‘recovery mode’, and it needs time to restore itself and get back on its feet. Taking a break is essential in order to ensure that your body gets all the nutrients it needs in the proper amounts, as well as for repair and growth. Your body cannot produce enough nutrients on its own, and depending on the duration of your run, it may take a while for your body to get back on its feet and produce the chemicals it needs. In terms of speeding up your recovery process, nothing beats getting enough sleep and eating the right food. Doing these two things will help your body get back on its feet more rapidly than if you did nothing at all. If you are following a proper nutrition plan, and are getting the proper amount of sleep, it should not be difficult for your body to recover from the stress of a run like this.