Like everyone else, I got into marathons as part of a midlife crisis. Now that I¡¯ve transitioned comfortably into the routines of middle-age as I approach 50, however, family fun usually wins out over running.

I do miss it, though. Occasionally, I will fantasize a way to be a marathon runner without having to actually run a marathon. Half-marathons don¡¯t count; once you¡¯ve done a full marathon its hard to find the glamour in something with ¡°half¡± attached to the front. No, I need to go all the way.