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Going the distance
"They do it for so many different reasons, but mostly it's achieving goals step by step," said Lenora Mariner, who coaches a group of 80 runners sponsored by the Richmond Sports Backers, the nonprofit sports advocacy group that also hosts the marathon. Beena Parekn Parekn, 45, will run her second Richmond marathon this year. Her first was to "just be able to say I did it. To finish. To accomplish that goal," explained Parekn. This year, "my goal is to do a little better and finish in less than five hours." She closely follows Mariner's Sports Backers Marathon Training Program, normally running five days a week and gradually increasing the mileage. Parekn has been a recreational jogger for the past 15 years and gradually became involved with her husband and son in organized six milers and half-marathon races. Her family members have not followed her into marathons, however. "They are not crazy enough," she claimed, before admitting that "sometimes the thought crosses my mind, 'why am I doing this?'" Parekn finds an unusual benefit to marathon training and competition. "Of course it's good exercise, but it's a great way to socialize as well. You get to know people." Larry Brock Larry Brock is 49 years old, and at 5 feet, 11 inches tall and 165 pounds, has the physique and the attitude most often associated with distance runners. "I'm a physical fitness nut and have been since I was a kid growing up in Dutch Gap," he said. Brock ran his first marathon in 1999, and this year's Richmond event will be his "eighth or ninth" including the Marine Corps Marathon. He is committed to the Sports Backers' training program and trains five days a week, running 40-50 miles overall including a weekend 20 miler. He also cross trains in triathlons. His running days normally start at 4:30 a.m. Although Brock's best time of four hours and 22 minutes is very competitive in his 45-49 age group, "for me, it's not about being number one. It's really to find out who you are and what you're made of. I compete against myself," he said. Brock too finds social benefits in marathon running and training. "Running with friends builds camaraderie and helps you through the struggle," he said. "If you can run and talk while you're doing it, you're about where you want to be." Chris Nicolaides In the past four and a half years, 48-yearold Chris Nicolaides has run 10 marathons, including joining 38,000 other runners in the New York City Marathon. He has already run two marathons this year, and with the Richmond event, will run a total of four in 2007. His athletic background is in soccer. As he grew older, Nicolaides replaced soccer with running 2-3 miles per week to keep in shape. Running with friends, he began to increase his distance. When his first marathon materialized, he found he enjoyed it. "I liked the punishment," he laughed. Nicolaides is somewhat of a free spirit in both his motivation and his training methods. "It gets me out of the bed in the morning. Running is a good time to solve problems, talk to friends or listen to books on tape," he said. His training regimen is designed to "get me in shape so I can eat a lot more pizza and beer." Nicolaides runs 2-3 days a week and no more than 5-6 hours. He does find some esoteric benefits in running marathons including visiting new places. "You do get to see more of an area when you're running through it. I'm not trying to win. You're going to get the same medal as everyone else just for finishing, but there is no better feeling than crossing the finish line," he said. Nicolaides' best marathon time is four hours and 30 minutes.
Borrowing a quote from an anonymous runner to put marathon running in perspective, Nicolaides said, "At 18 miles you wonder why you're doing this. At 26.2 miles it becomes perfectly clear." |
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