Marathons

__History of the Marathon__
The marathon dates back from thousands of years ago to the Ancient Greeks. A Greek soldier named Pheidippedes ran the marathon length of 26.2 miles from the city Marathon to Athens, Greece in 490 B.C. His mission was to bring news to the Athenians that the Greeks had won the war against the Persians. He had no ways of transportation, so he ran. It is said that when he arrived in Athens he shouted the word "Niki!" (victory), then collapsed and died on the spot. Why? He ran too fast all at once. His body produced high levels of lactic acid, a condition called lactic acidosis that is life-threatening. Today, the marathon is one of the world's most popular athletic events. But if it's so tiring, such hard work, and time-consuming, why do people do it?



__The Running World__
Running is a sport with many benefits. It improves the cardiovascular system, lowers the risk of many diseases, keeps you fit and strong, and you look good as well! When many people make the commitment to running, they find it hard to stop. Exercise creates a chemical called endorphins that relieves stress and you end up feeling with a rushed happiness. This is sometimes called "runner's high." Some people take running seriously enough to enter races and become competitive. There are 5-Ks, 10-Ks, half-marathons, and marathons.

Common Running Injuries Marathon Records Running Nutrition Recipes for Runners Training Plan