The prestigious New York City Marathon took place this past week November 4th and let's just say it was a weekend of news. Paula Radcliffe, who recently just gave birth this past January, ran her first marathon in two years, and won! "I've really, really missed it," Radcliffe said. "It's way more fun than cross training in a pool or cross training in a gym, and that's what it's all about. That's what keeps me motivated to work hard and to cross train hard is just getting out there and enjoying the atmosphere." This is an amazing accomplishment for someone who hasn't raced this distance in almost two years, but also for someone who just recently beared a child.
Martin Lel of Kenya won the men's title, which finished just moments later, making his kick in the final mile to edge out Abderrahim Goumri of Morocco in 2:09:04 in the first race without a pacesetter. Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa finished third. Kenyans are knowing for being extremely succesful in the sport distance running.
Although, in more tragic news, marathon runner Ryan Shay who is a five-time national champion distance runner, died while participating in the Olympic Trials. Shay was diagnosed with an enlarged heart years ago and instructed to get a pacemaker, but doctors cleared him to run. "We all are devastated over Ryan's death. It is a tremendous loss for the sport and the long-distance running community," said USA's Track and Field CEO.
This is not the first case of distance runners dying from such causes; some say that marathon running may be too much for the heart to handle. Who would've thought that something doctors say to do these days to help the health of your heart, can almost kill you?! Is too much of a good thing too much?
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I was shocked too to see the performance results of Paula. She is amazing. I can not believe that she just had a baby 8 months ago. She is in amazing shape for just having a child and then to finish as strong as she did too, wow what an athlete she is. On another note though, Shay the distance runner that passed away the same day in the New York marathon was a shock too to me. It is extremely sad that he died and from what, they dont even know yet. You would think that someone who is in just such good shape died so suddenly. I read all about this as well as well as watched the Marathon on TV. I didnt hear about Shay's death though until a few days later though.
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