The prestigious and tough Boston Marathon is a week from today. And my man Lance (who seems to be everywhere these days – is there a product he isn't the spokesperson for?) will be running in it.
When you're an elite athlete, other elite athletes give you advice. Winner of the 2007 NYC marathon Paula Radcliffe told Lance to practice his on-the-run hydration to help keep his finishing time low; but Lance replied that he was just hoping to finish the race. Oh Lance, we have so much in common, because I would respond the same way to any advice on running a marathon.
So why does Lance run after winning the ultimate cycling endurance race seven times? To find out read more.
For starters, he feels retirement shouldn't exclude fitness, since fitness is part of a healthy and enjoyable life. And running is more efficient way to workout compared to cycling, which is why Lance started running. You get the same benefits from running with a shorter time commitment. Plus running doesn't require much gear unlike cycling, and this makes running a great form of exercise if you are traveling a lot like Mr. Armstrong. He finds it easier to fit in a run than to fit in a ride.
The question remains, why compete in marathons during retirement? Lance explained it to Runner's World like this:
I have to have something that essentially forces me out the door. I can sit around for a year and do a 10k, no problem, even a half-marathon. But the marathon is scary and intimidating enough that you can't just phone that in. You have to train.
Once again, I must say, "Oh Lance, we are so much alike." But to be honest, the races that get me out the door are considerably shorter than 26.2 miles. I must say, I do like the reasons he runs.
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I haven't seen him anywhere except Runner's World, but he is there ALL THE TIME. Honestly, I'm a little tired of the Lance running stories. I know he's a big name and now he's into running, but RW has an unhealthy obsession with him. The worst was the story about the text message he sent to his ex-wife after the NY marathon. Seriously? An article about a text message. I think RW loves him so much b/c he's a world-class athlete who says running is hard and that makes them feel good about their sport.