Podcasts about Pheidippides

Running. You might say it's like walking but faster... Now imagine running for 26.2 miles! That would be a marathon, right? Sure. Now double it. 52.4 miles!? That would qualify as an ultramarathon! But we're not stopping there. Special guest, Cabe Waldrop, tells us a little story about a man named Gordy Ainsleigh who ran 100 miles (in a race for HORSES) to see what the human body, some buttermilk, and a little gumption could do. We're talking about the FIRST ULTRAMARATHON! Plus, the Mouthgarf Report and I See What You Did There! Sources: https://ultrarunninghistory.com/gordy-ainsleigh-run/https://www.therunningmate.run/history-ultra-running/Please give us a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts! Want to ask us a question? Talk to us! Email debutbuddies@gmail.comListen to Kelly and Chelsea's awesome horror movie podcast, Never Show the Monster.Get some sci-fi from Spaceboy Books.Get down with Michael J. O'Connor's music!Next time: First David Lynch Film

I am thrilled to have Maree Connor on the podcast for the second time. Maree recently returned from running the iconic Spartathlon Ultramarathon - a 246km journey from Athens to Sparta along the route run by Pheidippides, an ancient Athenian long distance runner, who in 490 BC, before the battle of Marathon, was sent to Sparta to seek help in the war between the Greeks and the Persians. Maree has achieved so much in this sport in such a few short years, and has established herself as one of Australia's best ultramarathon runners. A 2 x time Australian representative, Maree has a long list of achievements including 2 x wins at the Brisbane Trail Ultra 100 miler, 2 x wins at Coast to Kosciusko 240km, 3rd place Badwater 135 mile (including being the 10th faster female ever to finish Badwater) and so much more. Listen to the 1st interview with Maree here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/mindset-for-runners/id1593071800?i=1000636354502 Follow Maree here: https://www.instagram.com/mareeconnor_/ Rob Mason Runs Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1921857798263861 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robmasonruns/

Episode: 3080 The First Marathon and the Athens Olympics of 1896.  Today, we run through the history of the marathon.

In this episode of Coffee with Coaches, OMC coaches Loretta & Reese & joined by coach Jacob Moss - all the way from France! Tune in to hear about how coach Jacob is preparing for Spartathlon, the 153 mile race tracing the legendary trek made by Pheidippides.  Hear how coach Jacob is adjusting to altitude, workouts he is running, as well as how he is going to fuel for the effort! Make sure to give us a like, subscribe, & rate for more ultra-running delivered to your feed!

By Davy Crockett Sandra "Sandy" Jean (Mackey) Kiddy (1936-2018) of Rancho Mirage, California was the first woman to be inducted into the American Ultrarunning Hall of Fame. She paved the way for women in ultrarunning setting many of the early world and American ultrarunning records. She was born in Grand Rapids Michigan to Robert B. Mackey (1909-1983) and Marjorie Rosita Montez (1911-1993), Her father's ancestry was from Ireland, and her mother's ancestry was from Mexico. Sandy and went to Ottawa Hills High School, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she was a member of the Girls' Athletic Association. She had never been very athletic in her youth. She then went to Valparaiso University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Zoology. In 1962, she married Frederick "Fred" Kiddy, born in Sheffield, England, who became a bank manager. They married in Las Vegas, Nevada, while driving across the country to California. Once in Los Angeles, Sandy worked first at Caltech and then for Microbics at Beckman Instruments, where she patented a number of reagent laboratory tests. Learn about the rich and long history of ultrarunning. There are now ten books available in the Ultrarunning History series on Amazon Learn More Early Running In 1970, Sandy at age 30, and Fred, age 34, started to jog to lose weight, running about two miles a day. Fred used to run in his young days while in the service in Germany. After moving to Palm Springs in 1974, she started running with a more serious group of runners who ran 15 mile-runs. She recalled, "I don't remember how long it took us, but we were very excited to have done it. We just sat on the sofa looking at each other, because we were too stiff and sore to move. From that point on, we knew that, that was what we wanted to do." Eventually, her group got her interested in road racing. Her first race was in 1976 at the age of 40. She ran a couple short races where she broke course records. She next tackled the marathon because the shorter races seemed like a sprint. In her race registrations, she went by "Sandra" because people kept mistaking her name, "Sandy" as belonging to a man. "Three months after that first long run, I tried a marathon. I broke 3:30, which was quite thrilling. I found I didn't like the shorter races much, too much like a sprint, so we stuck primarily to the marathons, doing five or six a year." Sandy almost always won among the runners age 40 and over, even including the men. In March 1978, she and Fred wrote into their local newspaper about a 10K with 700 runners that ran down Main Street in Palm Springs. "That your paper gave this event no coverage whatsoever is unforgivable and prompts the question as to what you consider newsworthy. May the curse of Pheidippides be on your circulation." Marathon Domination Fred Kiddy, in 1978 Sandy started running multiple marathons a year. Her first of many wins came in 1978 at Lompro Record-Valley of Flowers Marathon with 3:02:36, running with Fred.  She and Fred trained together and frequently ran together in the races. In 1978, she won the National Masters Marathon with 2:56:45. Fred finished in 2:47. In 1979, she won the Orange County Marathon in 2:58, a new course record. She said, "The course went along a bike path along the Santa Ana River. There were 20-plus bridges you had to go up and under. I was in pretty good shape, but the bridges took their toll." In June 1979, Sandy got her picture in Sports Illustrated, in Faces in the Crowd. Not only was she winning marathons, but her competitive nature was also in the cards. Her name was in the newspaper many times doing well in Bridge tournaments. First Ultra Sandy Kiddy in 1979, after winning a 10.4 mile race in 1:06:03. Sandy at age 42, burst on the scene of ultras when she ran in the Southern Pacific AAU 50K at Camarillo, California in 1979. She won and set a world record of 3:37:08,

Maraton koşusunun ortaya çıkışının Antik Yunan'da gerçekleşen bir olaya dayandığı söylenir. Efsaneye göre, MÖ 490 yılında Atina ile Pers İmparatorluğu arasında yapılan Maraton Savaşı'nı Atinalılar kazandı. Pheidippides isimli bir asker, zafer haberini Atina'ya iletmek için Maraton'dan Atina'ya kadar olan yaklaşık 42 kilometrelik mesafeyi koşarak gitti. Atina'ya ulaştığında da Nenikékamen!" (Zafer kazandık!) diye bağırdıktan sonra hayatını kaybetti. Bu hikâye, zamanla sembolik bir anlam kazandı ve modern Olimpiyat Oyunları'nın başlamasıyla birlikte, 1896 yılında ilk modern Maraton yarışı düzenlendi. Berna Abik'in sunumuyla dünden bugüne Olimpiyat tarihinde yaşanan olayların anlatıldığı '60 Saniyede Olimpiyatlar'ın yeni bölümünde maraton koşusunun icadı anlatılıyor. 

Listen to the audio version. I included my interview on the very good Trail Runner Nation podcast. I recently went on it to talk to the guys about my new book, Classic Ultramarathon Beginnings. We discussed several of the very early ultras in our history. Classic ultramarathons (races longer than 26.2 miles) include the oldest races, the most prestigious, the largest, the toughest, and the races that have captured the imagination of outsiders who look inside the fascinating sport of ultrarunning. Classic Ultramarathon Beginnings is the definitive history of how nine classic ultras began and includes the history of their first years.   Read the fascinating origins of these classic ultramarathons The Barkley Marathons in Tennessee - "The race that eats its young." The Comrades Marathon in South Africa - The oldest and largest ultramarathon in the world London to Brighton - The race that started in 1897 and became the most prestigious ultra in the world The Mount Baker Marathon in Washington - The first American mountain trail ultra that started in 1911 The Redwood Indian Marathon in California - The race of more than 400 miles that featured Native Americans in 1927 The JFK 50 - The oldest ultramarathon in America, held in Maryland The Lake Waramaug 100 km - The oldest 100 km race in America, held in Connecticut Across the Year - The premier fixed-time race in America, held in Arizona Spartathlon - The race from Athens to Sparta in Greece in the footsteps of Pheidippides

The question I get most in my DMs is “How do I start running?” but I want you all to remember that for me it really started with setting smaller goals and growing them, as my confidence and self belief grew. A glimmer of hope and inspiration turned into a short walk, turned into a jog between trees, turned into a lap of the park, turned into 3K, turned into 5K.. 10K.. Half Marathon… and so it goes on. I can't stress enough how important mindset is but I recognise some of you are now kicking into gear and want more information on running terms and how to structure and plan your runs. Hopefully this episode gives you that introduction. I can absolutely do more episodes on this topic, so please let me know what else I can discuss to help you progress in your running journey in the comment box below. Love always Cass (00:14) Welcome back - thank you for your feedback (01:08) Why I wanted to dedicate an episode to “how to start running” (04:30) The Marathon distance origin story - Pheidippides  (07:25) You must first begin with your mindset (13:00) Understanding running terms - what do they all mean? (14:30) Hill repeats (15:09) Intervals (15:44) ‘Easy' runs (16:16) Long runs (17:29) Negative splits (17:56) Speed work (18:20) A ‘split' (18:38) Tempo runs (18:49) Warm Up/Cool Down (19:12) The most important thing when beginning your running journey (20:32) We all need different plans (20:45) You will never be “ready” so just try (22:43) “Dust if you must“ by Rose Milligan

Welcome to this bonus instalment of episodes for January. The Marathon mini series has been apart of the members episodes over on Patreon. For the month of January I have decided to make this series of 5 episodes available to all to say thank you for all the support over the year. Get in and listen when you can as they will go back to Patreon only at the start of February.Unlock the secrets of ancient history as we bring into focus the Battle of Marathon, a monumental clash that reshaped Western civilization. Stand shoulder to shoulder with the Athenian hoplites as they face the might of the Persian empire on the plains of Marathon. Together, we'll explore the mysteries that have baffled historians: the strategic movements, the fabled charge, and the absence of Persian cavalry. And as we parse through the rallying cries of General Miltiades and the internal debates of the Athenians, we set the stage for a fascinating journey into the past. With every detail scrutinized, from the geography of the battlefield to the alliances forged in the heat of battle, this episode promises a rich tapestry of intrigue and bravery.The aftermath of Marathon brings tales of heroism and strategy that echo through the ages. Join us as we dissect the Greek tactical maneuvers and ponder the mile-long Athenian charge, an act of courage—or desperation—that turned the tides of war. Witness the chaos of the retreat and the urgency of the Athenian march to defend their city. And no tale of Marathon would be complete without delving into the saga of Pheidippides, whose legendary run to Athens laid the groundwork for the marathon races of today. Immerse yourself in the drama of battle, the strategies that shaped history, and the legends that inspire us still. This is your expedition into the heart of ancient warfare, where every spear thrown and shield raised tells a story of a world on the brink of transformation.Support the show

Join me in this gripping episode of The Leo Alves Podcast, titled 'The Legendary Run of Pheidippides: Lessons from the First Marathon Runner.' Dive into the heart of ancient Greece as I explore the incredible true story of Pheidippides, the Athenian runner whose extraordinary endurance journey from Marathon to Athens laid the foundation for today's marathon races. Uncover the historical context of the Greco-Persian Wars and the Battle of Marathon, where Pheidippides' epic run was pivotal. This episode is not just a history lesson; it's a source of inspiration, drawing parallels between the ancient marathoner's resilience and the challenges faced by modern athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner, a fitness newbie, or a history buff, this narrative of human strength and perseverance will resonate with you.  Tune in to discover how Pheidippides' legendary endurance can inspire your fitness journey and learn critical lessons about pushing beyond physical and mental limits. Inquire About Becoming a 1-2-1 Online Fitness MemberMy InstagramMy X (Twitter)My TikTokMy FacebookMy LinkedInMy YouTube ChannelMy ArticlesYour Free Workout PlanYour Free Nutrition for Fat Loss GuideYour Free Meal Plan GuideSubscribe to my Email ListFree Calorie Calculator

In dieser Episode des Trail Running Podcasts lade ich euch ein, tiefer in die Welt des Ultramarathonlaufens einzutauchen. Gemeinsam mit mir plaudert Sarah Mangler über ihre beeindruckenden Erfahrungen aus 2022. Ihr erinnert euch sicher: Sarah hat sich mit Leistungen wie dem KoboLT 140 km und dem herausfordernden 100 Meilen Lauf auf dem Mauerweg einen Namen gemacht. Und dann ist da noch ihr Gesamtsieg bei der TorTour de Ruhr. Ein besonders spannender Punkt ist der Spartathlon. Dieser historische Lauf erstreckt sich über 246 km von Athen nach Sparta. Sarahs Reise hier war geprägt von Höhen und Tiefen: Nachdem sie im Vorjahr leider frühzeitig ...Du möchtest deinen Podcast auch kostenlos hosten und damit Geld verdienen? Dann schaue auf www.kostenlos-hosten.de und informiere dich. Dort erhältst du alle Informationen zu unseren kostenlosen Podcast-Hosting-Angeboten. kostenlos-hosten.de ist ein Produkt der Podcastbude.Gern unterstützen wir dich bei deiner Podcast-Produktion.

#TrailTypen - Sarah Mangler - auf den Spuren von Pheidippides

Are humans designed for long distance running? When was the first running meet? And what about those famous runners in history, from Pheidippides through to the dirtiest race in history. All this and more as writer and runner Duncan Larkin joins the pod to chat history of running.Duncan Larkin LinksThe 30-Minute Runner: Smart Training for Busy BeginnersRun Simple: A Minimalist Approach to Fitness and Well-BeingOne Minute at 11,000 FeetBorn to Run, Christopher McDougallRunning with the Kenyans, Adharanand FinnOnce a Runner: A NovelLore of Running, Tim NoakesPark Run LocationsOllie LinksOllie on X/Twitter

A new week means new questions! Hope you have fun with these!The US call it Cilantro, what is it known as in the UK?Marlon Brando, Jessica Tandy and Kim Hunter starred in what 1947 play by Tennessee Williams?In 1985, a photo of young Afghan refugee Sharbat Gula by American photographer Steve McCurry appeared on the cover of what magazine? Ozone is made of what gaseous element?What is the first calendar date of the 21st century?Who was the leader of the Soviet Union between Joseph Stalin and Nikita Khrushchev?In flowering plants, what part of the stamen produces pollen grains?What corse woven fabric is commonly made from the skin of the jute plant?What are the four colors from the memory game Simon?Bossy Pants was written by what Saturday Night Live alumna?Pheidippides ran to Athens from what location to deliver news of a victory in battle?MusicHot Swing, Fast Talkin, Bass Walker, Dances and Dames, Ambush by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Don't forget to follow us on social media:Patreon – patreon.com/quizbang – Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Check out our fun extras for patrons and help us keep this podcast going. We appreciate any level of support!Website – quizbangpod.com Check out our website, it will have all the links for social media that you need and while you're there, why not go to the contact us page and submit a question!Facebook – @quizbangpodcast – we post episode links and silly lego pictures to go with our trivia questions. Enjoy the silly picture and give your best guess, we will respond to your answer the next day to give everyone a chance to guess.Instagram – Quiz Quiz Bang Bang (quizquizbangbang), we post silly lego pictures to go with our trivia questions. Enjoy the silly picture and give your best guess, we will respond to your answer the next day to give everyone a chance to guess.Twitter – @quizbangpod We want to start a fun community for our fellow trivia lovers. If you hear/think of a fun or challenging trivia question, post it to our twitter feed and we will repost it so everyone can take a stab it. Come for the trivia – stay for the trivia.Ko-Fi – ko-fi.com/quizbangpod – Keep that sweet caffeine running through our body with a Ko-Fi, power us through a late night of fact checking and editing!This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5857487/advertisement

By Davy Crockett This is an encore episode. Spartathlon, an ultra of 246 km (153 miles), takes place each September in Greece, running from Athens to Sparta and with its 36-hour cutoff. It is one of the toughest ultramarathons to finish. In Part 1 of this series, episode 88, the story was told how Spartathlon was born in 1982, the brainchild of an officer in the Royal Air Force, John Foden. Three servicemen successfully covered a route that was believed to have been taken in 490 B.C., by the Greek messenger, Pheidippides. The 1982 trial run set the stage for the establishment of the Spartathlon race. The race's 1983 inaugural year is covered in this part won by Yiannis Kouros of Greece. Read the rest of this episode here. Help is needed to continue the Ultrarunning History Podcast and website. Please consider becoming a patron of ultrarunning history. Help to preserve this history by signing up to contribute a few dollars each month through Patreon. Visit https://ultrarunninghistory.com/member

you can watch this episode on ⁠http://youtube.rtownpod.com⁠ or on ⁠http://spotify.rtownpod.com⁠if you want to see this week's top 5go to ⁠http://www.rtownpodcast.com⁠ Headlines: Burning Man fiasco Rich guy city Enrique Tarrio sentenced to 22 years for Jan 6. Jimmy Buffet dies Movies Coming Out This Month: Equalizer 3 The Inventor A Haunting in Venice (third installment in Branagh's Hercule Poirot film series) Expendables 4 The Creator Saw X This week in history: 490 BC Greek Hoplites defeat Darius' Persian army on the plains of Marathon. Pheidippides runs to tell all of Athens, they won, then dies. 1877 The great Sioux warrior Crazy Horse is fatally bayoneted at age 36 by a soldier at Fort Robinson, Nebraska. 1939 Britain declares war on Germany after the latter invades Poland 1951 The first transcontinental television broadcast in America is carried by 94 stations. 1957 Arkansas governor Orval Faubus calls out the National Guard to bar African-American students from entering a Little Rock high school. 1972 ”Black September,” a Palestinian terrorist group take 11 Israeli athletes hostage at the Olympic Games in Munich; by midnight all hostages and all but 3 terrorists are dead. 1972 Mark Spitz becomes first Olympic competitor to win 7 medals during a single Olympics Games. 1975 President Gerald Ford evades an assassination attempt in Sacramento, California. 1976 Viking 2 lands on Mars and gets first close up full color images of surface 1998 Google founded Advice:  My girlfriend of about two years hit me recently and I don't know what to do about it. This was so out of character for her and have never known her to express anger physically before. We were arguing, and the fight spun out of control. I was standing behind her talking loud and she spun around and slapped me. After the slap, I just sort of stood there, absolutely speechless. She gasped and then walked away for a minute, but came back really quick apologizing profusely. We hadn't been drinking or anything, just a hard argument. She apologized for hours and seems genuinely contrite and is as upset about the whole situation as I am. Should I stay or should I go? I won't tolerate an abuser. If she did it once, she could do it again.

Quizmasters Lee and Marc meet for a trivia quiz with topics including Dog Breeds, Pop Duets, 80's & 90's Movies, Video Games, Sports, Science, Cooking, and more! Round One DOG BREEDS - What breed of dog (whose origins can be traced to the area that is now modern Croatia) was once used as a carriage dog to protect from banditry and later were utilized by early fire-fighting groups around their wagons as well (to calm the horses)? POP DUETS - "Ebony and Ivory" was a single released in 1982 by Paul McCartney, featuring what famous singer and keyboard player? BOATING - Sharing its name with a chain of islands in the western Bahamas, what is the term for a sun shade or rain cover that shades a portion of a yacht? 90'S MOVIES - Dr. Malcolm Crowe is one of the main characters in what movie (released in 1999)? CHILDREN'S BOOKS - Astrid Lindgren is known as the author of what 1945 Swedish children's novel that is named after its main character and has been translated in more than 40 languages? VIDEO GAMES - Which video game company released the handheld Lynx console? Round Two BOTANY - Taraxicum is the proper name of what popular flower that can be eaten (cooked or raw) and are an excellent source of Vitamins A, C, and K? 80'S MOVIES - What 1984 movie, that stars Patrick Swayze and Charlie Sheen, was the first ever to receive a PG-13 rating by the MPAA? NFL - Which number did NFL quarterback Peyton Manning wear on his jersey for most of his career? DISNEY - Which series of cartoon short films featured the animated debut of classic Disney characters such as Donald Duck, but also served as inspiration for other animated shorts series such as Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies? SCIENCE - Monocarpic and polycarpic are words that describe something from what branch of biology? COOKING - Jamaica pepper, myrtle pepper, and pimento are all names for which spice? Rate My Question SPORTS - Which country's most popular sport was invented in the 1850s to keep cricket players fit in the winter, and includes unique moves such as “handball”, “speckie” and “umpire-led boundary throw-ins”? Final Questions LYRICS TO GO - On an episode of the 1997 British TV series “an evening with,” which notable British musician showed their songwriting prowess by improvising a song with borrowed lyrics from an oven manual (provided by actor Richard E. Grant, who set the challenge)? ANCIENT GREECE - In Ancient Greek legend, a soldier named Pheidippides collapsed and died after running over 25 miles to Athens to give news of which battle? Upcoming LIVE Know Nonsense Trivia Challenges August 15th, 2023 - Ollie's Pub - 6:00 pm EST August 16th, 2023 - Point Ybel Brewing Co. - 7:30 pm EST August 17th, 2023 - Fathoms Restaurant & Bar - 6:30 pm EST You can find out more information about that and all of our live events online at KnowNonsenseTrivia.com All of the Know Nonsense events are free to play and you can win prizes after every round. Thank you Thanks to our supporters on Patreon. Thank you, Quizdaddies – Gil, Tim, Tommy, Adam, Brandon, Blake, Spencer, Rick G, Cazz Thank you, Team Captains – Kristin & Fletcher, Aaron, Matthew, David Holbrook, Lydia, Skyler, Hayden, Edd Thank you, Proverbial Lightkeepers – Elyse, Kaitlynn, Frank, Trent, Nina, Justin, Katie, Ryan, Robb, Captain Nick, Grant, Ian, Tim Gomez, Rachael, Moo, Rikki, Nabeel, Jon Lewis, Adam, Lisa, Spencer, Hank, Justin P., Cooper, Sarah, Karly, Lucas, Mike K., Cole, Adam, Caitlyn H, Sam, Spencer, Stephen, Cameron, Clay, JB, Joshua, James, Paul, Marit, JV, Jesse, Nathan, Steve, Tim, Michael, John Thank you, Rumplesnailtskins – Mike J., Mike C., Efren, Steven, Kenya, Dallas, Issa, Allison, Kevin & Sara, Alex, Loren, MJ, HBomb, Aaron, Laurel, FoxenV, Sarah, Edsicalz, Megan, brandon, Chris, Alec, Sai, Andrea, Ian, Aunt Kiki, Clay, Littlestoflambs, Seth, Bill, Marc P., Holgast, Nora, Joe, Emily, Andrew H., Joe, Cara, Nathan, Joey, Brian K., Zoe, Kristy, Kinkalot, villain749 If you'd like to support the podcast and gain access to bonus content, please visit http://theknowno.com and click "Support."

Dr Glenn McConell chats for a second time with Professor Michael Joyner from the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota, USA. Michael blew me away with his absolutely amazing knowledge on past athletes and coaches and their endurance training methods. Very different types of training can result in similar results. His running Haiku: Run a lot of miles, some faster than your race pace, rest once in a while. Michael was first on the podcast on October 9th, 2022. Michael's Twitter: @DrMJoyner 0:00. Introduction2:25. Foot races in the 1700s and 1800s (running 5 min/mile!)3:56. Pheidippides: run from Marathon to Athens etc4:49. Tarahumara Indians from Northern Mexico5:05. Arthur Lydiard's (Peter Snell etc) training methods7:45. Rudolf Harbig, Zatopek, Percy Cerutty, Herb Elliot9:50. Bob Schul (intervals twice a day) and Ron Clarke10:05. All roads lead to the 1964 5000m at the Tokyo Olympics11:35. Dellinger/Bowerman: Mixed training methods like today.13:10. Very different types of training can result in similar results13:30. His running Haiku: Run a lot of miles, some faster than your race pace, rest once in a while15:30. Kipchoge training very similar to Bill Rodgers and Frank Short (1970s)16:13. Derek Clayton: high mileage at close to race pace19:02. Several ways to reach the same VO2 max, LT and economy21:48. Long slow distance runners raced a lot. Eg Ed Winrow23:35. Year round training: Parvo Nurmi etc24:20. Glenn Cunningham: intervals. Rudolf Harbig26:01. Sweden during WWII, Zatopek interval training27:16. In the 60s push back against intervals, LSD29:12. Swimmers: Igloi style interval training with short recoveries32:35. Would runners do better with a modified Igloi/Schul style program?35:05. Michael's impressive cycling training/ hard-easy39:02. “Peloton art”/ “Strava art”39:27. David Costill: reduced swimmers training volume43:17. How high a VO2 max can the average person attain?45:46. Arthur Lydiard/all round athletes etc48:37. Develop as all round athletes before specialize50:00. Overreaching/Overtraining52:40. Takeaway messages53:54. Outro (9 secs)Inside Exercise brings to you the who's who of research in exercise metabolism, exercise physiology and exercise's effects on health. With scientific rigor, these researchers discuss popular exercise topics while providing practical strategies for all.The interviewer, Emeritus Professor Glenn McConell, has an international research profile following 30 years of Exercise Metabolism research experience while at The University of Melbourne, Ball State University, Monash University, the University of Copenhagen and Victoria University.He has published over 120 peer reviewed journal articles and recently edited an Exercise Metabolism eBook written by world experts on 17 different topics (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-94305-9). Connect with Inside Exercise and Glenn McConell at:Twitter: @Inside_exercise and @GlennMcConell1Instagram: insideexerciseFacebook: Glenn McConellLinkedIn: Glenn McConell https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-mcconell-83475460ResearchGate: Glenn McConellEmail: glenn.mcconell@gmail.com Subscribe to Inside exercise:Spotify: shorturl.at/tyGHLApple Podcasts: shorturl.at/oFQRUYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@insideexerciseAnchor: https://anchor.fm/insideexerciseGoogle Podcasts: shorturl.at/bfhHIAnchor: https://anchor.fm/insideexercisePodcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4025218Not medical advice

Elite marathoner Kate Sanborn talks who she'd want to narrate a race, Pheidippides, her job as a biostatistician and why she loves it, Christmas flavored coffee, CIM, Korean food, the marathon, experience at the Boston Marathon, crochet, advice for younger runners, music and more Lactic Acid is partnered with TrackBarn! Be sure to visit the website at https://trackbarn.com and use the code LACTICACID10 at the checkout for 10% off of your order. https://linktr.ee/lacticacidpodcast Follow along on RunnersWorld: https://www.runnersworld.com/author/248839/Dominique-Smith/ Follow along on FanHub: https://fanhubtf.com Be sure to follow Lactic Acid on the following platforms: Official Website: https://www.lacticacidpodcast.org YouTube: Lactic Acid Podcast with Dominique Smith Twitter: Lacticacid_pod Instagram: Lacticacidpodcast

Producer/Host: R.W. Estela The post A Word in Edgewise 9/12/22: From Pheidippides to Ralph Boston & Beyond . . . first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: R.W. Estela The post A Word in Edgewise 9/12/22: From Pheidippides to Ralph Boston & Beyond . . . first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Where did the name "marathon" come from? Why are marathons 26.2 miles? Did a Greek soldier by the name of Pheidippides really run from Marathon to Athens? In this episode learn about the history of the name marathon Want to read the transcript? Find it on our website here: Things You Thought You Knew About History Intro Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ben-johnson/cant-stop-chasing-you License code: XCACCAAHQ6JVJUJP

Simen Holvik er en kjent mann for de fleste, og har et prosjekt han ser frem til, å løpe i de historiske sporene til Pheidippides mellom Marathon, Athen og Sparta, tur-retur. EN god distanse på rundt 617km. Dette skal han gjøre på under 6 døgn. Vi tok en prat over Zoom en uke før han dro, videoen kan dere se på Patreon. Lyden er litt under pari til tider, men vi korrigerer inn, så denne episoden har noen klipp.Simen sin blogg om prosjektet kan du lese her: https://medium.com/pheidippidesSimen var også gjest i podcasten i episode 42Topo Athletic er sponsor av podcasten! Alle Patreons får gode rabatter (30-50%)Runners World gir et bra tilbud til alle lyttere av podcasten, bruk denne linken for å tegne abonnement: https://bit.ly/rw495---------------------------------------------------Støtt Captare på Patreon! (for prisen av en kopp kaffe i måneden)Tusen takk for anmeldelser på iTunes - viktig for podcastens synlighet!Captare på Instagram. Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/captare-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nicole Perlroth discusses her new book, "The Operator: A Story of Murder, Madness, and the Machine That Wouldn't Stop", which tells the story of a murderous computer program and the unlikely people who tried to stop it. We also touch on the global financial crisis and the increased use of boilersuits on Wall Street.

Episode: 3080 The First Marathon and the Athens Olympics of 1896.  Today, we run through the history of the marathon.

Maratonlar gibi dayanıklılık gerektiren sporlarda ölümlerin meydana gelebileceği uzun zamandır bilinmektedir. Neyse ki bu olaylar nadirdir, ancak meydana geldiklerinde genellikle ilk sayfalarda manşet olur.

Episode 8 -  The Persian WarsHi, my name is Clayton Mills.  Welcome to ‘A Short Walk through our Long History' - a podcast where we look at the events of history, and try to see how those events shaped our modern world. Welcome to Episode 8 -  The Persian Wars.  We're talking today about the ancient wars between Greece and Persia.  I've mentioned that Greece has had an important impact on the western world, but did you know that ancient Greece was almost wiped out?  A couple of times?  Greece was a small country, but they tangled with the biggest empire of their time:  The Persians.  The battles between these two countries will become legendary, and will give us a couple of the best quotes of all time.  Also, Pheidippides!  And his famous last words.  Lots of good quotes in this episode.  We've mentioned the days of the Mycenaeans, and the Greek dark ages, and how the beginning of the end of the Greek dark ages was when Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey, which was sometime around 800 BC.  Now we're getting to the real beginning of recorded history, and from this point on, we can almost always date what one culture says is going on against the records of other cultures.  In other words, we're finally at the point where we have a unified timeline, and we can fit events to very specific dates on the timeline.  Before this, we always had to say ‘sometime around 800 BC,' but after this, we're getting to the point where we can say ‘on September 27th, 480 BC, this happened.'  That's the date, by the way, of the Battle of Salamis, which was the Ancient Greek version of the Battle of Midway.  Well, with less dive-bombers. So, around 550 BC (ok, I'm still using ‘around' in a few places).  Around 550 BC, the Persians, who were a tribe from what is now Iran, began to expand.  They conquered the Medes, who had been the biggest kingdom in the region, and then continued to expand.  Their king was Darius, and he built up the largest empire the world had seen to that point.  The Persian empire stretched from the Persian gulf in the south, to what is now Kazahkstan in the east, up to the middle of the Black Sea in the north, and in the west, they began to expand into Greek-held lands in what is now Turkey.  This area of Turkey was called Ionia, and at first the Ionian cities did not resist the Persians.  They didn't have the strength.  But in 499 BC, the Ionians tried to rebel.  They were supported by two cities from mainland Greece, Eritria and Athens.  Together, they destroyed a Persian city, Sardis, and then the Eritrians and Athenians went back home. Well of course the Persians quickly came back and re-conquered Ionia.  And the Persians did not forget that the Athenians and Eritreans had helped in the revolt. So the Persians are thinking about the cities of Eritrea and Athens.  And they aren't happy.  This set up 50 years of fighting, known to the Greeks as the Persian Wars.  Ok, now we are getting to one of the most famous battles of all time, the battle of Marathon.  This battle is carefully recorded by the Greek historian, Herodotus, who wrote about it only 50 years after it happened.  In 490 BC, Darius came back to Greece with a massive army and a massive navy. He landed first at Eritrea, and destroyed the city.  Darius and the army then got back in their boats, and sailed to Marathon, a small town just northeast of Athens.  The Athenians sent their best messenger, a runner, a guy named Pheidippides, to run to Sparta, and ask for help.  It's about 150 miles from Athen to Sparta.  Lots of hills.  Herodotus mentions our friend Pheidippides.  Supposedly, Pheidippides ran that 150 miles just in 2 days.  For scale, that's about the distance from Houston to Austin.  The MS 150 is a BICYCLE race from Houston to Austin, and it takes 2 days.  Supposedly Phidippedes ran that whole thing, and then asked the Spartans for help.Normally the Spartans would have been all over this request, since they were maybe the most war-loving city in all of history.  But they were in the midst of an important city festival, and the elders said they couldn't come fight until the festival was over.  No, we can't come defend Greece.  We have this party, see?  It's kind of a big deal, so we'll come when the party is over.  OK?  So Pheidippides ran back to Athens with the bad news.  And then the Athenians sent him on to the front at Marathon with army.  The Greek army had about 10,000 soldiers.  Kind Darius and the Persians had at least 30,000.  Some estimates are higher.  When they began the battle, the Greeks intentionally let the center of their line collapse, and then the phalanxes on the Greek wings turned in and crushed the Persians.  We'll talk more about the Phalanxes and what they are in a separate episode.  The Persians, sensing that they were being beaten, fell apart and ran, and the Greeks chased them and cut them down, chasing them all the way to their ships.  The Persians lost as many as half of their men, which was a stunning defeat.  The ones who survived sailed back across the Aegean Sea to regroup.  Back on the field at Marathon, the Greeks sent our runnin' friend Phidippedes to run back to Athens, and tell then what had happened.  The distance from Marathon to Athens is just about 25 miles, which is where we get the distance for a modern marathons.  Phidippedes runs up to Athens, and says to the elders, ‘Nicómen!', which means, ‘We won!'.  And then he died, right there, right in front of the elders.  As last words go, though, those are pretty good. Right?So we have a historic victory for the Greeks, and and a heroic effort from Phidippedes, and the Persians retreating across the Aegean Sea to Ionia and points farther east.  Not long after that, King Darius dies, but the memory of what happened in Greece does not.  Darius's son, Xerxes (one of the cooler names in all of history, btw), succeeds him.  Xerxes wants to out-do his father, and wants to expand the Persian empire even farther.  So he decides he's going to bring an even bigger army to Greece, and show them what's what.   So in 480 BC, 10 years after Marathon, he sets out, with an army of between 150 thousand and million men.  Accounts vary on the size, Herodotus says a million, but it's quite probable this was the biggest army ever, up to this point in history.  Xerxes also has a huge navy, to try to fight the Greek navy, and keep them from sailing up the coast and flanking his army. But instead of sailing most of his army to Greece, he marches them.  There's a stretch of water they have to cross, in what is now Istanbul, called the Hellespont.  Xerxes has his engineers build a bridge there, using 600 ships, which is an enormous number of ships, by the way, and planks and even dirt on the planks, so his army can march on a road.  It apparently took the army seven days to cross, the army was so large.  Once they were across, they had to march over to the main part of the Greek peninsula.  And they had to march through some mountains to get to the peninsula.  But there waiting for them in the mountain pass, near the town of Thermopylae, was a group of about 7000 Greeks, including 300 Spartans led by their king, Leonidas.  You know where this is going, don't you?  The battle at Thermopylae is one of the most famous battles in all of history.  Leonidas and the Greeks had the advantage of good position, but Xerxes had almost unlimited men.  So sometime in late July or early August of 480 BC (see, we're getting more specific.  I told you we would), Xerxes begins to attack the Greeks.Leonidas and the Greeks held the pass for 7 days, including 3 full days of fighting, against the vastly larger Persian army.  Now we're getting to the great quotes from this battle.  When the Persians sent an envoy to tell the Greeks that they should surrender, the Greeks refused.  The envoy said, ‘We will darken the sky with our arrows!' Which they could easily do, with that many men.    But A Greek soldier, named Dienekes, reportedly said, ‘Good.  Then we will fight in the shade.'  That, is one of the best battle quotes of all time.  But the best is still to come.  The Persian envoy rather forcefully told King Leonidas to surrender all his weapons.  And Leonidas said, ‘Come and get them.'  In all the history of battle quotes, that, is the most bad-ass.  ‘Come and get them.' So the Persians eventually attacked, and the Greeks held them off for 3 days, until a local resident told Xerxes about a small mountain pass and led some of the Persians back behind the Greek lines.  Leonidas, realizing what was happening, let most of the Greeks go, to head back to Athens.  The 300 Spartans, and maybe 700 other Greeks stayed to hold the pass.  Almost all of the Greeks who stayed to hold off the main Persian army ended up fighting to the death.  The Battle of Thermopylae was technically a Greek defeat, but it wasn't really a Persian victory.  The Greek and Spartan warriors had bought the rest of Greece more than a week to prepare, and they had badly dented the morale of the Persians.  But the Persians did eventually break through the mountain pass at Thermopylae, and marched on to Athens.  But when they got there, they found the city deserted.  Now we get to the real victory, and the battle that just doesn't get as much attention as Marathon or Thermopylae, even though it's the one that really matters.  Salamis.  Salamis is an island off the coast of Greece, and it was the site of one of the largest naval battles in all of history.  Again, the Greeks were outnumbered, but again, the Greeks were better sailors than the Persians, and had the advantage of location.  According to Herodotus, there were about 370 Greek ships, against about 1200 Persian ships.  That's more than 3 to 1.  But the Greeks lured the Persians into a narrow straight between two islands, where the huge number of Persian ships actually worked against them, as they were too crowded and couldn't maneuver.  The Greeks thoroughly routed the Persian navy, and killed their admiral, who was one of Xerxes' brothers.   Xerxes himself supposedly watched the battle from a mountainside near the shore, and realized that the Persian fleet had been destroyed.  Xerxes took most of his army and marched back to Asia.  He left behind a sizable force, though, under one of his generals, Mardonius.  Eventually, in 479 BC, the Greeks defeated Mardonius and the Persians at the battle of Plataea, ending the wars between the Greeks and the Persians. The Persians never came back and attacked the Greeks.  Eventually though the Greeks will grow strong enough to attack the Persians, but that won't happen until Alexander the Great comes on the scene.  The Greeks were still a bit bitter about all these attacks, and wanted a bit of revenge.  But the defeat of the Persians in 479 BC begins what is known as the Golden Age of Greece, which is one of the most intellectually productive times in western history.  We'll look at this in upcoming episodes.So how do these battles between the Greeks and the Persians influence our modern world?  Well, as I've said, Greece is one of the most influential cultures in the history of the western world, and it wouldn't have been that if it had been beaten by the Persians. Maybe we would then be talking about how influential Persia was on western history, but hey, Thermopolyae.  Salamis.  Greece won.   The most influential thinkers in Greece show up soon after these battles.  Because the Greeks had bought themselves some time and some peace, they had a time of prosperity, where they were not spending their time fighting external enemies.  And in that time they developed some of the greatest thinkers the world has seen.  We'll look at those guys in upcoming episodes.  Another way that these battles influenced the modern world is that the western world, and especially western military units, have essentially inherited some of the values of the ancient Greeks who strove to defend their homelands.  Courage in the face of overwhelming odds, self-sacrifice, teamwork, leaders who are part of the battle, the importance of choosing your battleground, and the right to defend yourself against tyrants - all of these are important values in the western world.  In the end, this is what the Greek defense against Persia was all about - the Greeks were defending their right to rule themselves, rather than to be ruled by Persia.  And they were willing to take up arms and fight to the death, rather than let someone else rule them against their will.    There are echoes of this spirit in the American Revolution, in the American Civil War, in the Reformation, in the English Civil war, The Scots fighting against the invading British, the Zulus fighting against the invading British, OK, anyone fighting against the invading British, and in many of the great battles of western history.  The idea that some foreign power can come in and take over your land, then tell you to pay tribute to them - that is tyranny.  And though some people have said, ‘ok, we'll submit, that's better than fighting, don't hurt us,'  other peoples have said instead, ‘no, I'm not going to lie down and let that happen.'  That's the spirit of Patrick Henry's famous quote, ‘Give me Liberty, or give me death.'  One last thought on how that matters in our modern world.  It might just be that our current world is moving in the direction of tyranny again.  The history of the world is an ongoing struggle between tyrants who want to control everything, and people defending their rights to self-determination and liberty.  When a government begins to curtail the rights of its people to determine their own destiny, whether it is your own government or the government of a country that wants to take yours over, the time comes when people must choose to either submit, or to fight back.  History does not remember those who submitted.  History remembers those who have said, ‘come and take them.'  History remembers those who have said, “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”  We'll look at that document in a much later episode.In the next episode we will look at the development of Athenian democracy, something that clearly had a big effect on the western world.  But before that episode, we will take another quick side episode, to look at something that I find fascinating - Greek military and naval advancements, and how it was that they won these amazing battles against much larger forces.  

By Davy Crockett Spartathlon, an ultra of 246 km (153 miles), takes place each September in Greece, running from Athens to Sparta and with its 36-hour cutoff. It is one of the toughest ultramarathons to finish. In Part 1 of this series, episode 88, the story was told how Spartathlon was born in 1982, the brainchild of an officer in the Royal Air Force, John Foden. Three servicemen successfully covered a route that was believed to have been taken in 490 B.C., by the Greek messenger, Pheidippides. The 1982 trial run set the stage for the establishment of the Spartathlon race. The race's 1983 inaugural year is covered in this part won by Yiannis Kouros of Greece. Help is needed to continue the Ultrarunning History Podcast and website. Please consider becoming a patron of ultrarunning history. Help to preserve this history by signing up to contribute a few dollars each month through Patreon. Visit https://ultrarunninghistory.com/member The Founding of Spartathlon in 1983 The Three Finishers. After John Foden and two others finished the historic 1982 trial run between Athens and Sparta, Foden told those at the finish, “You need to make the route we have run, a race.” However, he did not think seriously that a race would be organized anytime soon.  Michael Graham Callaghan (1945-2013), an Athens businessman, and a member of the British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (BHCC) in Greece was the driving force and the founder of the formal Spartathon race. Back in 1982, Callaghan had helped Foden organize his run and obtained sponsors.  He was at the finish in Sparta and awarded the three finishers crowns of olive leaves. A month later, Callaghan received a kind letter from Air Marshal Thomas Kennedy from the Royal Air Force (RAF) in Germany, thanking him for his support of Foden's 1982 RAF expedition run from Athens to Sparta. The letter included, “John Foden has told me about the invaluable help you gave the expedition when it found itself in financial straits that made its abandonment seem certain, and also in revamping its low-key publicity into a campaign that achieved international TV and press coverage. I should like to thank you most sincerely for your interest and your enterprise which prevented the possible cancellation of the expedition, and your initiative in recognizing that its success could be used to reinforce the friendly relations that exist between Great Britain and Greece. We are all very much in your debt.” This kind letter further helped Callaghan become captivated with the idea for a race and he charged ahead to make it happen. Plans for Spartathlon come together Just four months after the historic 1982 RAF expedition, in February 1983, the Hellenic Amateur Athletics Association (SEGAS) announced that Spartathlon would be held on September 30, 1983. The name for the race combined the Greek words for Sparta and Feat. Officially that first year it was called, the “Open International Spartathlon Race.” A multi-national team of supporters came together led by Callaghan and was based at the British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce in Athens. Under Greek law, Callaghan was not allowed to be the actual president of the organization, but he was the first race organizer. Foden said, “My idea to have a race would never have taken off if were not for Callaghan's energy, enthusiasm and talents as a salesman. At the start he might not have known much about running and relied on the advice I gave him during visits to Greece, but he soon became very knowledgeable.” A group of Athens-based British businessmen were signed up to be the main sponsors for the 1983 race. Entrants Forty-four men and one woman from twelve countries were entered into the first Spartathlon. They arrived in Athens four days before the race, on September 26, 1983, and took a two-day bus ride to preview the course and sight-see. At Sparta they were honored by the Mayor of Sparta at a taverna dinner.

In this episode, Candace talks with guest Tony about the medical news that he and his partner received, himself requiring an open heart surgery, and his partner getting diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's. He talks about making a counter-intuitive decision that went against what some research would suggest for patients with Early Onset Alzhemizers; instead, they retired, sold their home and became nomads running marathons and half marathons all around the world. Tony talks about what it was like to travel around the world running race after race in places like Madagascar, Bhutan and the Great Wall of China with nothing but a suitcase. The pandemic did not put a stop to their plan and they are still running around the world over 7 years later.Anthony L. Copeland-Parker was a professional pilot/manager for thirty-seven years, the last twenty-seven with United Parcel Service. His last job had him managing pilots and flying B757/767-type air-craft all over the world. When he retired, he began writing his blog, PlayHard-HaveFun.com. Since then, he and his partner Catherine have traveled to eighty-two different countries. They have run at least a half-marathon in thirty-five countries and on all seven continents.His book Running All over the World, adapted from a blog he wrote during their travels, is a nonfiction account of our five-plus years of flying, running, walking, sailing, and sightseeing from Atlanta to Antarctica and back again. Part travelogue and part medical memoir, it transports listeners to exotic places like Madagascar, Bhutan, and the Great Wall of China while at the same time offering a day-to-day look at what it means to have nothing but what's in your suitcase. It's also an offbeat love story, recounting the trials and tribulations of an ex-pilot with a passion for vistas and logistics and a woman so tough she walks a half-marathon in the Australian Outback mere weeks after breaking her ankle. During their years as nomads, they pushed their physical and mental limitations as often as they could - and finished every race  hand in hand.Get a copy of Tony's book hereFollow Tony on FacebookFollow Tony on IGFollow Tony on TwitterFind Tony on Linkedin

By Davy Crockett You can read, listen, or watch Spartathlon is one of the most prestigious ultramarathons in the world. It is a race of about 246 km (153 miles), that takes place each September in Greece, running from Athens to Sparta on a highly significant route in world history. It attracts many of the greatest ultrarunners in the world. This is part one of a series on the history of Spartathlon. In this episode, we will cover how Spartathlon was born, a story that has never been fully told until now. It was the brainchild of an officer in the Royal Air Force, John Foden. Help is needed to continue the Ultrarunning History Podcast and website. Please consider becoming a patron of ultrarunning history. Help to preserve this history by signing up to contribute a few dollars each month through Patreon. Visit https://ultrarunninghistory.com/member Pheidippides' Historic Run Battle of Marathon In 490 B.C., one of the most famous battles in world history was held between the Athenians and the Persians who invaded what we now call Greece, landing at Marathon. Before that battle, a professional messenger named Pheidippides was sent by Athenian generals to Sparta, with an urgent message to ask for reinforcements against the much larger Persian incursion. Pheidippides ran an estimated 250 kms (155 miles) and arrived at Sparta on the next day, likely about 36 hours, and then returned walking. There are many versions of this story. Some say his run was before the battle and others say after. One Romon version, more than a centry later, states that he ran back and he died on returning. But the important thing about the story for ultrarunning, is that Pheidippides made an ultra-distance run of about 155 miles in less than two days. If it were from dawn to dusk of the second day, that would have been 36 hours. The Spartan reinforcements did not immediately leave to help because of a festival and arrived too late for the Battle of Marathon, but the Athenians had triumphed over the more numerous Persians. People have wondered for years if the tale of Pheidippides could be true, running that difficult long distance across the rugged land in less than two days. John Foden His father James Foden John Boyd Foden (1926-2016) was born on May 7, 1926, in Winchester, Australia. His parents, also Australian, were James Clement Foden (1894-1978) and Rosalind Ida Boyd (1888-1957) of Scottish ancestry. The Fodens had lived in Australia for generations. John's father, James, was an aviator who learned to fly a biplane in Hendon, England, in 1917. James served during World War I in the Royal Flying Corps and was awarded the Air Force Cross. In 1924 he was promoted to a Flight Lieutenant. He made his career in the Royal Air Force and he retired a Group Captain. His love for aviation and the Royal Air Force was passed down to his son John. 1933 Ship passenger list Over the years, the Foden family would make multiple long sea voyages to Great Britain to visit family in England and Scotland. At the age of seven, John travelled to and from England by steam ship with his mother, his three-year-old sister, Pauline Margaret Foden, and his uncle, James Shields Boyd. Foden served in World War II as a paratrooper for Australia and after the war went to England. In 1948, at the age of 22, he married Vera Joan Colyer (1926-2001) of England. He later became a career officer in the Royal Air Force (RAF). In 1952, they had a son, David Michael Foden. Foden Takes Up Running The years passed and Foden continued his career in the RAF. By 1976, at the age of 49, he had taken up running. He belonged to the Veterans Athletic Club. In 1977, Foden ran in his first marathon. At that time, he was working as a flight instructor. He was assigned to teach cadets on various topics, including first aid, map reading, aircraft, and RAF knowledge. Herodotus In 1978, Foden was studying for an advanced degree at a...

Did you know an ultramarathon can be more than 100 miles? Will has run races as long as 340 miles in temperatures as low as -30 or as high as 125 degrees. Is he crazy or is he just proof that humans can do hard things? In this episode, we discuss the full origin story of the marathon, training and nutrition, as well as what motivates someone to run races of epic extremes. Will is a world-class racer competing in events such as the Iditarod Trail Invitational, Hardrock 100, Ultra Trail Tour de Mt Blanc, Tor des Geants, and Badwater -- just to name a few. In just a few weeks, he'll be competing in the Spartathlon in Greece which retraces the footsteps of Pheidippides, an ancient Athenian long-distance runner, who in 490 BC was sent to Sparta to seek help in the war between the Greeks and the Persians. Even if running isn't your thing, there is so much in this episode that will leave you feeling inspired.

Welcome to the #RunPainFree podcast. Today, Coach Jessica Marie Rose is talking about all things programming. She discusses: Why tailored programs are crucial, Why catch-all programs are a recipe for disaster, The dangers of hack coaches, amongst other topics. Listen up, runners, Coach Jessica in fine form, telling it like it is.  Long-distance isn't a walk in the park. Long-distance running is demanding. Are you crazy enough to question that? Yeah, you are asking it, aren't you? Ok, get off your phone and knock out a marathon for us and get on with your day. Tell us how that goes. You've got no chance in hell doing anything long distance if you haven't trained and conditioned your body for it. Oh, right. You are a born-again, born-to-run runner. Ok then. Lace up your cute little shoes, or go barefoot even. Make sure your color combination matches whatever season you are in, and you have your pre-prepared inspirational message for social media.  Do you seriously think a couple of Instagram posts and Strava kudos points are going to protect you from injury? Please, just a little history lesson, the first marathon runner, that guy who ran from Marathon to Athens, Pheidippides, literally, and we mean literally, died. That's why the race ends at 26.2.  Ok, you get the point on with the show.

The most important person in the history of American distance running is, ironically, someone who is famous because of walking. Before Jeff was a guiding light for the masses, he was every bit the elite runner — an Olympian and US record holder for the 10 mile run. But lots of people have been Olympians and US record holders. To start, he pioneered the idea of a “specialty” running store. Don't shop at running stores? Do you enjoy big spectacle races — the kind that bring together elite and recreational runners on one stage to share in the race experience? Do you enjoy being able to run local races pretty much any weekend you like? Chances are our race calendar would be looking more sparse these days without the thousands who started running thanks to Galloway's Book on Running (the best-selling running book of all-time). Ok, ok, the walking thing. “Gallowalking,” the purists (myself included in my younger, dumber days) like to sneer — as if Pheidippides himself chiseled on tablets “thou shalt not walk.” https://www.podiumrunner.com/culture/jeff-galloway-may-be-the-most-important-person-in-the-history-of-the-running-movement/ https://linktr.ee/AND3RSON --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Aristides and Themistocles came of age as tyranny in Athens was coming to an end and the world's first democracy was being established! It was a brave new world and would require brave new leaders.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=RLVZ3VNNPSRAL)

The modern-day marathon is based on the story of a Greek messenger, Pheidippides. According to legend, in 490 bc he ran approximately twenty-five miles (forty kilometers) from Marathon to Athens to announce the Greeks’ victory against their formidable foe, the invading Persians. Today, people run marathons for the personal satisfaction of an athletic achievement, but Pheidippides had a greater purpose behind his effort: each of his steps was run for the sheer joy of delivering such good news to his kinsmen! Some 500 years later, two women also ran to deliver good news—the most pivotal news in all of history. When Mary and Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb where Jesus had been placed after His crucifixion, they found it empty. An angel told them that Jesus had “risen from the dead” and to “go quickly and tell his disciples” (Matthew 28:7). The women, “afraid yet filled with joy,” ran to tell the disciples what they’d discovered (v. 8). May we have the same joyful exuberance at the resurrection of Jesus, and may it invigorate us to share the good news with others. We may not even need to “run” farther than next door to find someone who needs to know about our Savior. He won the battle against death so we might live victoriously with Him forever!

Der heutige Marathon basiert auf einer Geschichte eines griechischen Boten, Pheidippides. Der Legende nach lief er etwa vierzig Kilometer von Marathon nach Athen, um den Sieg der Griechen gegen ihren gewaltigen Feind, die einfallenden Perser, zu verkünden. Heute laufen die Menschen Marathonläufe zur persönlichen Befriedigung einer sportlichen Leistung, aber Pheidippides hatte ein größeres Ziel hinter seiner Anstrengung: Jeder seiner Schritte wurde aus der schieren Freude gelaufen, seinen Landsleuten gute Nachrichten zu überbringen!

After collecting data for more than twelve years the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) announced it may have detected new kinds of gravitational waves caused by colliding supermassive black holes. Professor Chiara Mingarelli of the University of Connecticut tells Roland Pease why this is such an exciting discovery. Supermassive black holes are at the heart of galaxies and they are the engines of quasars, the brightest light sources in the heavens that can be seen across the expanse of the Universe. A team including Professor Xiaohui Fan of the University of Arizona has identified the oldest quasar in the universe. The SARS-CoV-2 virus looks much like bat coronaviruses, but the mostly likely route into humans involved some other infected animal. Roland talks to Dr Dalan Bailey of The Pirbright Institute about how he has been looking for possible intermediaries. A new study that looks into the genetics of twins and their families in Iceland shows that identical twins aren’t really identical. Kari Stefansson of the Icelandic genome company, DeCode, explains that the differences can appear when the twins are at the embryonic stage. And , When it comes to speed, humans have got nothing on cheetahs - or greyhounds, kangaroos or zebras for that matter. It’s over long distances we really come into our own: when running for hours or even days, our body structure and excellent sweating skills make us able to outpace much faster mammals. But what are the limits of human endurance? Can we run ever further and faster, and what’s the best diet to fuel such ambitions? This week’s questions come from two CrowdScience listeners in Japan who already know a fair bit about stamina, having run several marathons and long-distance triathlons between them. We head to Greece, legendary birthplace of the marathon, to witness an even more arduous challenge: hundreds of athletes following in the footsteps of the ancient Greek messenger Pheidippides, to run an astonishing 246km across the country. The ever-so-slightly less fit CrowdScience team do our best to keep up, and try to discover the secrets of these runners’ incredible endurance. (Image: Representative illustration of the Earth embedded in space-time which is deformed by the background gravitational waves and its effects on radio signals coming from observed pulsars. Credit: Tonia Klein / NANOGrav)

When it comes to speed, humans have got nothing on cheetahs - or greyhounds, kangaroos or zebras for that matter. It’s over long distances we really come into our own: when running for hours or even days, our body structure and excellent sweating skills make us able to outpace much faster mammals. But what are the limits of human endurance? Can we run ever further and faster, and what’s the best diet to fuel such ambitions? This week’s questions come from two CrowdScience listeners in Japan who already know a fair bit about stamina, having run several marathons and long-distance triathlons between them. We head to Greece, legendary birthplace of the marathon, to witness an even more arduous challenge: hundreds of athletes following in the footsteps of the ancient Greek messenger Pheidippides, to run an astonishing 246km across the country. The ever-so-slightly less fit CrowdScience team do our best to keep up, and try to discover the secrets of these runners’ incredible endurance. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton Producer: Cathy Edwards (Photo: a runner in the Spartathlon ultramarathon, with kind permission from the International Spartathlon Association)

I just wished to give my thanks to the growing numbers of listeners out there in this vast world by talking about a runner whose act has gone down in legend. This young man known as Pheidippides should've been the inspiration for the awesome meme hold my beer since if running the entire distance from Athens to Sparta wasn't enough. What about running the roughly 150 miles back to Athens as well. That means he ran almost to a little over 300 miles. Then, Pheidippides proceeded to run all the way to where the Athenian army was encamped at Marathon and still had breath to give his report on whether or not Sparta would fight against the Persians.  

Travel back in time to meet Agathe, a slave in Ancient Greece, as she prepares the household for the Olympic Games… and hear the story of Pheidippides and the very first marathon.

The Persian forces had landed at Marathon Bay unopposed and had set up camp. The Athenians and Plataeans had now arrived at Marathon to challenge the Persians invasion. A stand off had ensured with both sides not taking the initiative, the Athenians debating wether to even fight at the Bay.Eventually, Miltiades would convince his fellow Athenian commanders to give battle. With a rousing speech that would bring Callimachus round to the merits in his arguments. The Greeks were outnumbered and made arrangement to match the Persian line. This though, would provide a weak point for the Persians to exploit.The Greek phalanxes crashed all along the Persian line, engaging in a manner, we are told, like never before, cover the distance at a run. It is still debated today what caused the Greeks to all of a sudden to act this day. The Persians would exploit the weak point in the Greek line but this early success would turn out to be a disaster. The Persians now were in a panic making their way back to their ships with the Greeks in toe, the carnage on the shore line would have been horrific.Tradition would have it that news of the Persian rout would make its back to Athens by the first Marathon run by Pheidippides. The Persian were able to embark the survivors of the battle and now made their way to attempt a direct attack on Athens. Though as they came into view, they could see the Athenian force prepared to give battle once again. They had travelled back to Athens from Marathon bay well aware the acropolis had been left undefended. This would effectively see the end of the first Persian Invasion, but the Persians would be back.

Why is a marathon 26.2 miles? And where does the marathon get its name? Join Murray and Tamika today as they discuss how military communication has changed over the past 2,000 years, and what a Greek soldier named Pheidippides has to do with modern Olympic runners. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why is a marathon 26.2 miles? And where does the marathon get its name? Join Murray and Tamika today as they discuss how military communication has changed over the past 2,000 years, and what a Greek soldier named Pheidippides has to do with modern Olympic runners. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to Episode 10 of One Step Beyond, a show that encourages you to take a step outside your comfort zone and enrich your life.This episode: IF NOT NOW, WHEN?The title of a Primo Levi novel served as motivation for British sculptor Peter Naylor to attempt the 153-mile, 2-day run taken by Pheidippides from Athens to Sparta in the year 490BC. (Pheidippides was sent by the outnumbered Athenian army to recruit the Spartans in their impending battle against the invading Persians. He promptly ran back again!)The course has been commemorated in an annual Spartathlon run since 1983, but Naylor is no elite ultra runner. Rather, describing himself as someone who “doesn’t really like running,” he details how at the age of 66, propelled by little more than his love of Greek history and a belief that all things are possible, he wrote his will, jumped on a plane to Greece, and tackled the course unsupported. He promptly returned the next year to do it all over again – and vows to do so once more as a septuagenarian.In a conversation full of self-deprecation and humor, Naylor talks about going off course for over twenty miles, sleeping by the side of the road, and drinking from water bottles left in the gutter by Spartathlon runners. He also explains how the endeavor was a “life-changer,” and why we are all capable of so much more than we may think.Additionally, we discuss whether the legend that has Pheidippides then running the 25 miles from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of Athenian victory – for which the modern-day marathon race was named – rings true, or whether most of us long-distance road runners are celebrating a myth.Separately, I connect the dots to my own recent unsupported run of the Escarpment Trail in the Catskills and a recent visit to the outdoor playground that is the White Mountains of New Hampshire.Resources for this episode:(Links can additionally be found at https://shows.acast.com/onestepbeyond/if-not-now-whenPeter Naylor can be found at https://www.peternaylor.co.uk/(Note: the Harriet Quimby statue referred to in this episode has not yet been commissioned.)More information on the Spartathlon is at https://www.spartathlon.grThere are multiple online history sites that detail the legend of Pheidippides' run to Sparta and back, and the potential myth of the original Marathon run. The Wikipedia page for Pheidippides credits many sources, allowing readers to conduct further research.For questions or comments about One Step Beyond, or to subscribe to the newsletter, e-mail Onestepbeyond@ijamming.net Join One Step Beyond on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterAnd your host can be found here:tonyfletcher.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, the Podcast rewrites the Wire kickers’ record books, following the application of the Magnus Effect and kinetic energy. Dennis’ Tacklebags’ new Rugby ball invention is far from a drag. Sam’s eyes water after hearing an anagram of Danny Walker. And can Rob perfect his Brian Cox impersonation before the podcast tracks down Warrington’s Greek winger Pheidippides on the Island of Lesbos? Plus, during an on-air tiff, the podcasters fall out over Toronto. Enjoy.

Dave & Kev successfully avoid the sophomore slump with episode 2. Hear about all the things these courageous young men don't know how to do, along with sports and entertainment news, pet peeves, and hilarious goofs. Gmail: Dkradio11@gmail.com Twitter: @DKradio11 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dk-radio/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dk-radio/support

By Davy Crockett  The 100-miler! Running or walking 100 miles in one-go is an amazing accomplishment. Unfortunately, some people of today still mistakenly believe that the 100-miler was invented in 1974 when a man without his horse ran 100 miles. Contrary to the cunning marketing hype that has been spread for decades, the history of the 100-miler ultra on all surfaces started long before that year. The sub-24-hour 100-miler was accomplished by hundreds of people before that famed journey in the California Sierra in 1974. In April 2020, Runner's World magazine erroneously called that run "The First 100-mile Ultra." The “mile” measurement has roots back to Roman times. The statute mile, a British incarnation in 1593, became adopted in the United Kingdom and later also by the United States. It should not be too surprising that walking and running specifically the round number of 100 miles came out of Great Britain and America. The concept of walking or running extreme distances has taken place for thousands of years in many cultures, motivated mostly to relay swift communication between settlements or armies. Historic stories have been found regarding distances that were further than 100 miles such as Pheidippides' run from Athens to Sparta in 490 B.C., a distance of about 153 miles. In more recent centuries, "running footmen" were used by aristocrats to deliver letters. In 1728 it was reported that Owen M’Mahon, an Irish running footman covered 112 mile in 21 hours running from Trllick to Dublin.  Attempts to walk 1,000 in competition started as early as 1759 in England. But what about achieving the round-number distance of 100 miles?  When did the 100-mile quest begin and how did it evolve? Earliest 100-milers The earliest 100-milers were solo attempts that were motivated by wagers and usually required the person to achieve that distance in less than 24 hours. The earliest known attempt was accomplished in 1737 by an unnamed journeyman carpenter. On the road to Newington, England, a half-mile course was marked off from “Mother-Red-Caps” toward “Stamford Hill.”  Many wagers were made. The carpenter struggled to finish in under 24 hours and missed it by just four minutes. It was reported, “However, the persons who imagined they had lost, had the ground measured again and found there were three yards extra, which in the whole, amounts to 600 yards.” The bets were refunded because the carpenter likely finished 100 miles in less than 24 hours after all. John Hague of Binns (Marsden), England, was the next 100-mile walker listed in history. For “a considerable wager,” on August 9, 1762, Hague walked 100 miles on a Manchester road in 23:15:00, proving that such a journey was possible in less than a day. Foster Powell (1734-1793) of London worked as a lawyer’s clerk. He became perhaps the earliest notable pedestrian in 1764 when he walked 50 miles in seven hours on a wager. A few years later he walked 400 miles from London to York and back in five days and 18 hours, bringing focus on the idea of a six-day contest. He made this journey on a wager many times. In 1786 he sought to walk 100 miles in less than 24 hours and succeeded in 23:45. He lowered his 100-mile time two years later with 21:20, walking on the Bath Road. He was treated like a national celebrity but died in poverty. His death announcement in 1793 included, “These extraordinary feats never produced him enough to keep him above the reach of indigence. Poverty, which he ought always to have kept a day’s march behind him, was his constant companion in his travels through life, even to the hour of his death.” Captain Robert Barclay Robert Barclay Allardice, or “Captain Barclay,” of Ury, Scotland, was born to a Scottish family in 1779. His father had been a member of Parliament and owned extensive estates. When young Barclay was fifteen years old, he won a 100 guineas wager, walking heal-toe six miles in one hour which at that time was cons...

Socrates was one of the greatest philosophers of all time—and he heard voices. Pheidippides invented the marathon—and experienced hallucinations. Were these symptoms of mental health conditions, or signs of divine intervention? And how could ancient Greek doctors treat their delusional patients?

Travel back in time to meet Agathe, a slave in Ancient Greece, as she prepares the household for the Olympic Games and hear the story of Pheidippides and the very first marathon. We quiz Dr. Jo Day in UCD about who the Ancient Greeks really were and she shows us some historical artefacts in the UCD Classics Museum.

In this episode, Anne Jennings from Ireland talks about her experience at the Spartathlon. Anne is only the 4th Irish Female to ever finish this race which has a drop out rate of over 50%. Female finishers from Ireland: 1. 1998 - Doina Nugent. 30 hours 58 mins 22 secs. 2. 2016. Bridget Brady. 34 hours 57 mins 13 secs. 3. 2019 - Leanne Rive. 32 hours 55 mins 58 secs. 4. 2019 - Anne Jennings. 35 hours 30 mins 37 secs. SPARTATHLON is a historic ultra-distance foot race that takes place in September of every year in Greece. It is one of the most difficult and satisfying ultra-distance races in the world because of its unique history and background. The Spartathlon revives the footsteps of Pheidippides, an ancient Athenian long distance runner, who in 490 BC, before the battle of Marathon, was sent to Sparta to seek help in the war between the Greeks and the Persians. According to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, Pheidippides arrived in Sparta the day after his departure from Athens. From 1984 the International Association "Spartathlon" was founded, which since then has continuously organized the race each September. The choice of this month is because that is the time reported by Herodotus for Pheidippides’ run to Sparta. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/johnoregan777/message

490 BC Battle of Marathon. During the first Persian invasion of Greece, the citizen army of Athens, aided by Plataea, defeat a much larger Persian force. The battle was the culmination of the first attempt by Persia, under King Darius I, to subjugate Greece. The Battle of Marathon was a watershed in the Greco-Persian wars, showing the Greeks that the Persians could be beaten; the eventual Greek triumph in these wars can be seen to have begun at Marathon. The battle also showed the Greeks that they were able to win battles without the Spartans, as they had heavily relied on Sparta previously. This victory was largely due to the Athenians, and Marathon raised Greek esteem of them. The following two hundred years saw the rise of the Classical Greek civilization, which has been enduringly influential in western society and so the Battle of Marathon is often seen as a pivotal moment in Mediterranean and European history. Legend states an Athenian runner named Pheidippides running from Marathon to Athens (about 25 miles) after the battle, to announce the Greek victory, whereupon he promptly died of exhaustion. That is where the modern marathon run originates. 1940 Lascaux cave paintings discovered. Marcel Ravidat, 18, finds a narrow entrance into a series of caves beneath the fields of Dordogne, France, and comes back with three friends to explore the subterranean world. There they gaze upon the vivid Lascaux cave . The walls of the cavern are decorated with some 600 painted and drawn animals and symbols and nearly 1,500 engravings. The pictures depict in excellent detail numerous types of animals, including horses, red deer, stags, bovines, felines, and what appear to be mythical creatures. 1953 Nikita Khrushchev elected Soviet leader. Six months after the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev succeeds him with his election as first secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Khrushchev denounced Stalin and his totalitarian policies at the 20th Party Congress, three years later, leading to a “thaw” in the USSR that saw the release of millions of political prisoners. Almost immediately, the new atmosphere of freedom led to anti-Soviet uprisings in Poland and Hungary. Khrushchev flew to Poland and negotiated a diplomatic solution, but the Hungarian rebellion was crushed by Warsaw Pact troops and tanks. 1990 East and West Germany, along with the UK, US and USSR—the Allied nations that had occupied post-WWII Germany—sign the final settlement for reunification of Germany. On 15 March 1991, the treaty would go into full effect.

By Davy Crockett  Yiannis Kouros from Greece is considered by most, as the greatest ultrarunner of all time. That is a bold statement, but there are few that dispute this statement. The late “Stubborn Scotsman,” Don Ritchie, is certainly in the conversation, Some can try arguing for certain mountain trail ultrarunners, but what Kouros accomplished, dominating for more than a 20-year period, and setting world records that have lasted for decades is nothing but mind-boggling. Every ultrarunner needs to know about Yiannis Kouros and his accomplishments. One of his competitors, Trishal Cherns of Canada, said, “There’s the elite, the world class, then there’s Yiannis.” Yiannis Kouros was born on February 13, 1956 in Tripoli, Greece, a city of about 20,000 people at that time. His father was a carpenter and the family lived in poverty. They did not always have enough food, requiring Yiannis to perform his first manual laboring at the age of five. He could not afford to go to the movies so he went to a stadium to run for fun. Sports was also a refuge from his family trouble. Kouros explained, “I had a misfortune in my family. When I was born, my father thought I was not his own, he was of course wrong. For that reason, he used to lash out on me. My mother was uneducated and instead of nurturing me she fought me even more. So I grew up in a hostile environment.” He spent much of his childhood with his grandparents who were strong disciplinarians. Kouros awarded 1st Place in Long Jump In elementary school, he was awarded first place in the long jump. In high school he couldn’t stay home after school because of the family troubles, so he had to go somewhere and went to track. He began formal athletic training and started running races at the age of sixteen. At first his coach dismissed Kouros as being “a mediocre athlete who just didn’t have the build to go fast.” But he progressed to be one of the top high school runners in Greece. He was a junior champion at the 3, 000 and 5,000 meter distances. After high school he left home and lived on his own in Athens for a time. Kouros didn’t only have interests in running. At the age of 12 he began writing his own poetry and songs. In his high school years he took music and singing lessons. Eventually he published four albums and took part in music competitions. But his world greatness emerged in his running skills. In 1977 at that age of 21, Kouros ran his first marathon in 2:43:15. His times continued to improve to 2:25 in 1981. Soon he discovered that he excelled far more at ultra distances. In 1981 at the age of 25, Kouros started building a house for himself in Tripolis which would take years to complete. He worked during the days as a guard at the athletic stadium and in the evenings worked on his house alone and trained about twice per day. He averaged only 2.5 hours sleep per night. By the end of the year, he asked the Sports Council to send judges to witness his attempt to run 100k, running on a 20k road course, seeking to set a national record. He finished in 7:35 but no judges came. Spartathlon By 1983, at the age of 27, Kouros had finished 25 marathons, winning one (1981 Athens), He read about a new race from Athens to Sparta, called the Spartathlon. The race traced the historic footsteps of Pheidippides, an Athenian messenger in 490 BC. This race of about 156 miles (251 km) started at the Acropolis in Athens and ran through ancient towns including Corinth to Sparta. Earlier in October 1982 a team of British athletes from the Royal Air Force covered the course, with the first man finishing in 34.5 hours, proving it could be done. Kouros signed up, hoping to be the first Greek finisher. It was his first ultramarathon! He jumped right from the marathon distance to about 156 miles (251 km)! World record ultrarunner Eleanor Adams of England also signed up, the only woman in the race. When she took a bus ride to preview the course,

After recording this show. I heard a crack of thunder and made my exit from the studio. It wasn’t the rain I should have left earlier to avoid it was the Marathon. With no transit available I walked for an hour in the muggy heat until I had met the Marathon head on. This podcast has nothing to do with that experience. Tonight new Indie finds, Reputation Radio favourites,selections from the Addictions Inbox plus a few surprises before we reach the finish line. This is Addictions and Other Vices Podcast 165 – Days Like These!!! Hope You Enjoy.On The Fix MixOriginALuc-Olivier Merson‘s painting depicting Pheidippides giving word of victory at the Battle of Marathon to the people of AthensThe name Marathon[n 1] comes from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger. The legend states that he was sent from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon(in which he had just fought),[3] which took place in August or September, 490 BC.[4] It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the assembly, exclaiming νενικήκαμεν (nenikekamen, “we have wοn”), before collapsing and dying.[5] The account of the run from Marathon to Athens first appears in Plutarch‘s On the Glory of Athensin the 1st century AD, which quotes from Heraclides Ponticus‘s lost work, giving the runner’s name as either Thersipus of Erchius or Eucles.[6]Lucian of Samosata (2nd century AD) also gives the story, but names the runner Philippides (not Pheidippides).[7]There is debate about the historical accuracy of this legend.[8][9] The Greek historian Herodotus, the main source for the Greco-Persian Wars, mentions Pheidippides as the messenger who ran from Athens to Sparta asking for help, and then ran back, a distance of over 240 kilometres (150 mi) each way.[10] In some Herodotus manuscripts, the name of the runner between Athens and Sparta is given as Philippides. Herodotus makes no mention of a messenger sent from Marathon to Athens, and relates that the main part of the Athenian army, having fought and won the grueling battle, and fearing a naval raid by the Persian fleet against an undefended Athens, marched quickly back from the battle to Athens, arriving the same day.[11]In 1879, Robert Browning wrote the poem Pheidippides. Browning’s poem, his composite story, became part of late 19th century popular culture and was accepted as a historic legend.[12]There are two roads out of the battlefield of Marathon towards Athens, one more mountainous towards the north whose distance is about 34.5 km (21.4 mi), and another flatter but longer towards the south with a distance of 40.8 km (25.4 mi). It has been argued that the ancient runner took the more difficult northern road because at the time of the battle there were still Persian soldiers in the south of the plain.[citation needed]Mount Penteli stands between Marathon and Athens, which means that, if Pheidippides actually made his famous run after the battle, he had to run around the mountain, either to the north or to the south. The latter and more obvious route matches almost exactly the modern Marathon-Athens highway, which follows the lie of the land southwards from Marathon Bay and along the coast, then takes a gentle but protracted climb westwards towards the eastern approach to Athens, between the foothills of Mounts Hymettus and Penteli, and then gently downhill to Athens proper. This route, as it existed when the Olympics were revived in 1896, was approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) long, and this was the approximate distance originally used for marathon races. However, there have been suggestions that Pheidippides might have followed another route: a westward climb along the eastern and northern slopes of Mount Penteli to the pass of Dionysos, and then a straight southward downhill path to Athens. This route is considerably shorter, some 35 kilometres (22 mi), but includes a very steep initial climb of more than 5 kilometres (3.1 mi).Get Your FixAs the weather starts to get nicer so do the opportunities to enjoy these podcasts. You can listen by radio via bombshellradio.com. You can catch up on ParkerBombshell.com. In the car, on the beach ,at the Marathon.

When it comes to speed, humans have got nothing on cheetahs - or greyhounds, kangaroos or zebras for that matter. It’s over long distances we really come into our own: when running for hours or even days, our body structure and excellent sweating skills make us able to outpace much faster mammals. But what are the limits of human endurance? Can we run ever further and faster, and what’s the best diet to fuel such ambitions? This week’s questions come from two CrowdScience listeners in Japan who already know a fair bit about stamina, having run several marathons and long-distance triathlons between them. We head to Greece, legendary birthplace of the marathon, to witness an even more arduous challenge: hundreds of athletes following in the footsteps of the ancient Greek messenger Pheidippides, to run an astonishing 246km across the country. The ever-so-slightly less fit CrowdScience team do our best to keep up, and try to discover the secrets of these runners’ incredible endurance. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton Producer: Cathy Edwards (Photo: a runner in the Spartathlon ultramarathon, with kind permission from the International Spartathlon Association)

This internationally renowned athlete known for pushing the limits of his endurance shares real running moments he never has before. Dean, at age 14 ran a marathon to raise money for charity. He started running home when he was in kindergarten and has always had a love for moving. He is known for his amazing endurance achievements, continuing to push what his body is capable of achieving. Dean most recently ran 50 marathons, in all 50 US states, in 50 consecutive days, finishing with the NYC Marathon, which he ran in three hours flat. Dean has also run for 24 hours straight on a treadmill in Times Square. He has run in many many incredible places around the world, on all the continents, across the Gobi desert. He is truly an amazing athlete, and is here to talk about his latest adventure; running the spartathlon, and completing the final 75 miles without any food or fuel other than water. For those who are still running in your later years, Dean is especially inspiring as he is now 55 years old and still going strong. If you want to hear questions and a discussion with Dean unlike any other podcast, this is the episode for you. Today’s Guest Dean Karnazes is an internationally renowned athlete known for pushing the limits of his endurance. Dean has run 350 continuous miles, foregoing sleep for three nights. He's run across Death Valley in 120 degree temperatures, across the Gobi desert, and a marathon to the South Pole in negative 40 degrees. On ten different occasions, he's run a 200-mile relay race solo, racing alongside teams of twelve. What you will learn about: What makes Dean’s calves the way many recognize him. How Dean had what most would consider an ideal life but was not happy with his non-running life, because things were just too easy and routine. How Dean keeps all the fan letters he gets in special folders in his trophy room. Dean discusses his recently released book The Road to Sparta and how he tried to recreate to the best he possibly could, the run Pheidippides did that inspired the marathon as a race distance. He discusses how as runners we get so caught up in the moment and our stubborn pride can prevent us from doing what we know we should do. Dean discusses how difficult it is to deal with all the crowds of people that come out to see him during his endurance events and being torn between needing to rest and wanting to acknowledge the effort they made to come out to see him. How he ended up choosing to forgo his own self care. When we are struggling during a half or full marathon it is a unique sensation to us as runners. Most people don’t have any way to relate to our experience other than perhaps a woman giving birth. We don’t have those intense moments on a day to day basis. There are moments of extreme doubt and suffering that you don’t normally experience in day to day life. How when you run overnight, you are overriding all your normal processes but your body takes over and your body finds a way to compensate and you are sleep running. Dean describes the anguish and struggle that every runner goes through during an endurance race. Shared experiences bring us together and builds bonds and how it doesn’t matter if you are an elite marathoner or first time 5k runner, you share the same experience. Dean runs every race that he attends because he feels it is important to share the experience with others. Dean talks about his participation with Marathon Wines, which is targeted to runners. Greece is the home for fine wines and there are stories of the early Greek runners drinking wine along their runs. The vines in Santorini make unique wines, high in electrolytes and by participating he is helping Greece. Inspirational Quotes: I wanted the pain and the struggle of doing something physical again. I am humbled and awed when I go into my trophy room that one man could accomplish all these things. Taking a few minutes in what might be a 30 hr race to correct something is far better than continuing on, but we get caught up in the passion of what we are doing at the moment. It is the fear of pain that holds people back, so shifting the paradigm to embracing the pain and responding, then your relationship to pain will change. Resources: Last week's episode with Emelia Gorecka Tina4Real Podcast  Running for Real Superstars Community Support Tina through her Patreon Page Buy a Running for Real T-shirt, Tank, or Hat Dean on Instagram Dean on Twitter Dean on Facebook Dean's website Road to Sparta book Marathon Wine website Thank you to Bombas and Bodyhealth for sponsoring this episode of Running for Real. I absolutely LOVE these Bombas Socks, and I think it is SO COOL that they donate a pair to a homeless shelter for every pair you purchase (socks are the number one requested item from homeless shelters, but they cannot accept used pairs). Use code running4real at Bombas.com/running4real and you can get 20% off your first order! Now I am back to training, guess what was the first thing I did to start making sure I recover quicker (as coming back to fitness really beats your body up!), yep, you guessed it, BodyHealth Perfect Amino! Get 10% off at Bodyhealth.com using coupon code TINA10   Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode. To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from) Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one. Subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcast player. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you to Dean, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

How's it goin', guys and gals! This time Daddy Glen brings you some goodies from his desk , including food allergies, Spartans and "good Greek values" that we all need in our abiding citizen lives!   Don't forget to find us everywhere and stay tuned for new B O N U S episodes on current events and some new co-hosts!      

Ever put in a ton of time and effort, thought you were almost done... and then realized you were working on the wrong project the whole time? We've all been there. Paul talks about making sure we are running the right race, and Susan breaks down the myth of the marathon for us in Philippians 3:4b-14.

Dean Karnazes (@DeanKarnazes) may be most famous for running fifty marathons in fifty states in fifty days, but he's also a bestselling author who most recently published The Road to Sparta: Reliving the Ancient Battle and Epic Run That Inspired the World's Greatest Footrace. "We're so comfortable, we're miserable." -Dean Karnazes The Cheat Sheet: What drives someone to leave their secure corporate job and run a hundred thousand miles (so far) in a lifetime -- including three hundred and fifty nonstop miles through the desert? Why does Dean Karnazes believe comfort is overrated? How do modern marathons differ from the first one run by Pheidippides over two thousand years ago? Explore what happens to your body when you push it past limits you once considered insurmountable. Discover how to unlock your own inner strength to achieve extraordinary results. And so much more... Want to wash two loads and dry two loads of laundry at the same time? The new Wi-Fi enabled Samsung FlexWash and FlexDry washer and dryer pair can do it -- and you can get it now at The Home Depot! If you're a business owner, did you know your payments solution can be an engine for growth? Rethink payments with Braintree. Find out more at braintreepayments.com/forbes! Does your business have an Internet presence? Now save a whopping 50% on new webhosting packages here with HostGator by using coupon code CHARM! SmartMouth is the only activated oral rinse clinically proven to eliminate existing bad breath and prevent it from returning for a full twelve hours per rinse. Visit SmartMouth.com to get an in-depth, scientific analysis of how SmartMouth is able to deliver such incredible results! Free yourself from typing notes, reports, and documents by going with the transcriptionists we trust here at AoC: TranscriptionOutsourcing.net -- 99% or higher accuracy guaranteed! Find out more about the team who makes The Art of Charm podcast here! Show notes at https://theartofcharm.com/623/ HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! If you dig the show, please subscribe in iTunes and write us a review! This is what helps us stand out from the crowd and help people find the credible advice they need. Review the show in iTunes! We rely on it! http://www.theartofcharm.com/mobilereview Stay Charming!

https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/roadtosparta In 490 BCE, some masochistic Greek guy named Pheidippides ran for 36 hours straight from Athens to Sparta to seek help in defending Athens from a Persian invasion in the Battle of Marathon. In doing so, he saved the development of Western civilization and inspired the birth of the marathon as we know it. Even now, some 2,500 years later, that run stands enduringly as one of greatest physical accomplishments in the history of mankind. Dean Karnazes, my guest on today's podcast, came up with the crazy idea of honoring Pheidippides (and Dean's own Greek heritage) by recreating this entire ancient journey in modern times. During his run, Karnazes even abstained from contemporary endurance nutrition like sports drinks and energy gels and only ate what was available in 490 BCE, such as figs, olives, cured meats and even some stuff called "mastic gum". Then he wrote about the whole experience is his new book "". The new book is intriguing, comical, sometimes tear-jerking, and certainly thought-provoking and entertaining, and Dean is probably even more intriguing. Get a load of this guy... TIME magazine named Dean one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in the World.” Men’s Fitness hailed him as one of the fittest men on the planet. Stan Lee called him, “Super Human.” He's an acclaimed endurance athlete and NY Times bestselling author, who has pushed his body and mind to inconceivable limits. Among his many accomplishments, he has run 350 continuous miles, foregoing sleep for three nights. He’s run across the Sahara Desert in 120-degree temperatures, and he’s run a marathon to the South Pole in negative 40 degrees. On ten different occasions he’s run a 200-mile relay race solo, racing alongside teams of twelve. He has swum the San Francisco Bay, scaled mountains, bike raced for 24-hours straight, and surfed the gigantic waves off the coast of Hawaii & California. His long list of competitive achievements include winning the world’s toughest footrace, the Badwater Ultramarathon, running 135 miles nonstop across Death Valley during the middle of summer. He has raced and competed on all seven continents of the planet, twice over. In 2006 he accomplished the seemingly impossible by running 50 marathons, in all 50 US states, in 50 consecutive days, finishing with the NYC Marathon, which he ran in three hours flat! In 2011 Dean ran 3,000-miles from the coast of California to New York City, averaging 40 to 50-miles per day (one day covering more than 70!). Along the way he stopped at schools to speak to students about the importance of exercise and healthy eating. When passing through Washington DC, he was invited to run through the White House to meet with First Lady Michelle Obama and be honored for his tireless commitment to helping this country get back in shape. Dean and his incredible adventures have been featured on The Today Show, 60 Minutes, The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS News, CNN, ESPN, The Howard Stern Show, NPR’s Morning Edition, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, the BBC, and many others. He has appeared on the cover of Runner’s World, Outside, and Wired magazine’s, and has been featured in TIME, Newsweek, People, GQ, The New York Times, USA TODAY, The Washington Post, Men’s Journal, Forbes, The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times, and the London Telegraph, to mention a few. Dean is the winner of an ESPN ESPY and a 3-time recipient of Competitor magazines Endurance Athlete of the Year award. Dean has also raised millions of dollars for charity and was awarded the prestigious Community Leadership Award by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports. During our discussion, you'll discover: -Why it is a myth that Pheidippides ran 26.2 miles...[14:50] -How humans can actually outrun horses...[19:30] -Whether Dean ran barefoot or in leather sandals in the same way that Pheidippides did...[22:30] -The hardest part of Dean's entire run...[30:45] -How it went for Dean to eat for this race different than he ate for your other races, and why he chewed on something called "mastic gum"...[38:55] -How Dean ran for 70+ miles with no food...[41:15] -Why Dean adds rosemary to his coffee and consumes large amounts of wild salmon...[46:15] -How Dean recovers so darn fast between his events, and why he bulked up before his 50 marathons in 50 days...[51:00] -Why Dean splits his day into multiple 12-14 minute body weight workouts, and what his exact routine is...[53:00] -How Dean manages with such little sleep when running marathons over multiple days...[57:50] -Dean's take on all the talk about chronic cardio being bad for testosterone levels, increased risk of mortality, etc...[63:05] -And much more! Resources from this episode: -Dean's book:  - - - - - - - Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for Dean or me? Leave your comments at  and one of us will reply!

If you're looking for more inspiration and motivation in your life, then today's show is for you. Dean Karnazes wasn't fit for a desk-job, though he tried to make the most of it. But he knew he wasn't living an authentic life, and he knew his sister, who died tragically at 18, wanted something more for him. And after years of trying to fit in, and live the American dream, he finally cracked. And at thirty ran away from it all, or ran to his new life. A life filled with running and adventure, and the courage to live his greatest dream. This interview, sharing Dean's story of how he got where he is today, one of the most elite, and well-known runners in the world, and one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people, will inspire and motivate you to chase your biggest dreams, and live your most daring, authentic, life. And we'll look at the daring journey of Philippides, the man behind the marathon, who changed or saved the course of history through two epic runs. And the Spartathalon, a 153 mile race from Athens to Sparta, which Dean bravely entered, and is run in his honor. This is one epic adventure of an interview, that'll have you chomping at the bit to run the greatest race of your life!!! Find the Courage to Chase Your Dreams Self-Help Topics Include: Who was Gus Gibbs and how did he influence Dean Karnazes's life? What happened to Dean at Greek Orthodox Church as a child, and how did that influence his later running? What happened at Dean's first foot race at age 5? What did his dad tell Dean about Pheidippides? What do the world's most famous calves have to do with anything? How did Dean lose running in search of the American Dream? What happened to Dean's sister Pary and how did her death influence his life? How did Dean find himself running in silk underwear on his 30th birthday and how did it propel him back into running? How did he learn about Ultra's and what happened in his first 100 mile run? What did Dean's wife say when he told her he was resigning from his job? What's the real story behind the marathon runner Pheidippides? What happened to Dean on his first trip to Greece – and what was his spiritual experience there? How did life in Greece change Dean and inspire his running? What became Dean's mission and what happened? What is the Spartathalon? What is sleep running? How did Dean have an out-of-body experience? What one homework assignment would Dean give us to chase our own dreams? To Find Out More Visit: DeanKarnazes.com Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes Shares His Inspirational Story from Business Success to Chasing the Life of His Dreams!!! Health | Running | Inspiration | Motivation | Spiritual | Spirituality | Meditation | Self-Improvement | Self-Help | Inspire For More Info Visit: www.InspireNationShow.com

It seems that there are moments in sport that, while rare, find a way of universally resonating. Tying both fans and non fans together, sweeping up even the most apathetic viewer. One that immediately comes to mind is the game winning goal scored in overtime by Sidney Crosby at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, winning the gold medal in front of a nation looking nervously on. Another one, equally significant for me, is from last summer’s olympic games, watching as race walker Evan Dunfee battled for 3rd with about a kilometer left in the 50km race walk event, appearing to give everything he had within himself, walking himself to the verge of collapse, even when the medal was out of reach. Looking back, it’s what I imagine the Greek soldier Pheidippides looked like as he completed his famed journey from the battle of Marathon to Athens. It’s with that imagery, I tell you that Evan joins us on the show this week to talk about training, racing, finding balance and even a little bit of the business side of things.

“Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.”Dean KarnazesPicking up where we left off exactly two years ago, today's podcast marks the return of ultramarathon legend Dean Karnazes.For the select few unfamiliar with a man whose name has become synonymous with running, let's break it down:Hailed by TIME as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the World, Dean is a New York Times bestselling author of several books and perhaps Earth’s most recognized ultra-distance running specialist – a global ambassador of sport who has pushed his body, mind and spirit beyond places most people simply cannot fathom.Dean's mind-bending feats of two-legged prowess include:* Running 350 miles in under 81 hours, foregoing sleep for 3 days;* Running 50 marathons in each of the 50 states in 50 consecutive days;* Winning the prestigious 4 Desert Race Series in 2008, traversing the Gobi, Antacara, Sahara and Antarctica;* Competing in the Badwater 135 10 times, including victory in 2004;* Running 148 miles on a treadmill in 24 hours; and* Running 3000 miles across the US from Disneyland to NYC in 75 daysI met Dean back in 2011 and we’ve been friends ever since. In 2013, I even helped crew him to his 10th Badwater 135 finish. Today we reunite to pickup where we left off in RRP 115 — one of my most popular podcasts to date — to discuss life, running, his latest adventures, and his brand new book, The Road To Sparta: Reliving the Ancient Battle and Epic Run That Inspired the World's Greatest Footrace*.This is the book Dean was born to write.It’s the story of Dean’s ancestral heritage and his deeply personal, genetically hardwired connection to the intrepid ancient Greek ultrarunners known as hemerodromes.It’s also the incredibly well researched historical account of Pheidippides — perhaps the greatest and most heroic hemerodrome of all time — and the crucial role he played in helping Athens defeat Persia in the Battle of Marathon that took place 2,500 years ago. Pheidippides' 153-mile, 36 hour run from Athens to Sparta in 490 B.C. wasn't just critical to Greek victory, it's fair to say it spared Western Civilization and preserved the democratic institutions we so value today.Finally, the book is a deeply engaging, first-hand account of Dean’s attempt to honor his lauded hemerodrome ancestor by replicating Pheidippides' ancient and historic 153-mile run, training and racing on only the few foods actually available to Pheidippides at the time.Beyond fascinating tales from the new book, this is a conversation about curiosity, consistency, and drive. It’s about out-of-body experiences that occur when you are stripped to your very core. It’s about what motivates him to continue pushing the boundaries of human capabilities well into his 50's and how his training, racing and nutrition have evolved to meet that challenge.But most of all, this is a conversation about what it means to be truly alive – and the beautiful embrace of discomfort required to explore the outer limits of performance, potential, and human experience.I consider Dean a role model. In addition to being one of the great athletes of our time and an inspiration to millions worldwide, Dean is someone I am lucky to call friend and mentor. I’m thrilled to further share his life, wisdom and experience with you today. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The RunRunLive 4.0 Podcast Episode 4-328 – Bobby Gill – The Half-Naked-Hilarity of Cupid’s Undie Run. (Audio: link) [audio:http://www.RunRunLive.com/PodcastEpisodes/epi4328.mp3]Link epi4328.mp3MarathonBQ – How to Qualify for the Boston Marathon in 14 Weeks - http://www.marathonbq.com/qualify-for-the-boston-marathon-in-14-weeks/Hello and happy holidays from RunRunLive central here at the Mongolian Yak farm. I was going to do a whole bit about the wild reindeer catching the zombie virus, but since it’s the holidays I won’t mess with you. Today we have a really good talk with Bobby Gill from Cupid’s Undie Run about his adventure. I’m always a bit hesitant when a publicist reaches out to me about someone or something. I always worry about doing the same interview as 10 other podcasters. That really doesn’t add any value to you folks. But, I resonated with Bobby and really enjoyed our chat. He does this ‘aww-shucks we just got lucky’ routine but you can tell there’s some focus and talent in the background for him and the Undie run to get so big so fast. In section one I’m going to talk about strength training. In section two I’m going to wax poetic about 9 key moments in the runner’s journey. Last time I talked to you folks I was rolling off of the Mill Cities Relay and getting ready for the Jeff Galloway ½ in Atlanta. I’ve continued to have great training weeks and am feeling fairly strong. I treated the ½ marathon as a pace run and didn’t taper for it. I have pivoted my training from speedwork to long tempo. From the races I’ve done recently it shows me that I have enough speed but I need to work on strength and staying power. I raced the previous Sunday then did two hard 1:20 step up tempo runs during the week. I was also fighting some sort of cold all week. A travel race in the middle of December is just the worst timing, but I had to be in Atlanta all week anyhow so I just went down early. It was an opportunity for me to test out my pacing strategy to meet some old friends from the pod-o-sphere community and to check out a new race. I’m not going to go into full race report mode for you here. And I’m certainly not going to debate the Galloway training stuff. It’s not for me, but kudos to Jeff for lowering the barrier to entry to running for so many people. He’s doing good work with his flock. Overall the race is extremely well managed – everything went off without a hitch. The weather was good – maybe a little warm if you were back in the pack. I ran in short-shorts and singlet. I was soaked when I finished but it didn’t affect my running. The course was actually interesting and had some pretty parts for a city course. The defining feature was the hills. I have worked and run in Atlanta for years. I know it’s a hilly place. Running a ½ marathon through it is challenging. Jeff told me that it’s actually a downhill course because the finish in Piedmont Park is a bit lower than the start. It’s a very hilly course. If you know Atlanta you know that they aren’t periodic steep hills, like in a New England race where you might have a 500 foot monster somewhere on the course. They are consistent long, shallow uphills and downhills. You’re always either climbing or descending. It made it hard for me to execute my pacing strategy. I forgot my Garmin at home and was pacing old-school off my IronMan watch – which isn’t a problem for me. I was intending to try to pace at just under my marathon goal pace of 8 min miles. The hills made pacing kind of impossible so I just ran by feel. This is a course where it would have really helped to know the course. The course is a bit deceptive at the end because they run you by and around the park a couple times. You are essentially circling the finish line for 3+ miles. Tim Cleary had told me there was a big hill at mile 9ish and then a steep downhill into the park. That was the landmark I was looking for. There was a big hill at the 9 mile mark, but that wasn’t the one Tim was talking about. There was the steepest hill on the course around 10 miles with a long steep decent after, then you turn into the park. Tactically this is where I screwed up. After climbing the big hill in good order I got to the steep downhill and thought to myself “The turn into the park is at the bottom of this hill so I’ll spend what I have here on the downhill and cruise into the finish.” The problem with that was once you turn into the park it’s still a couple miles of rolling hills to get to the finish. I struggled the last couple miles in the park on dead legs. Not what I was intending to do but still finished under my target average pace. That tells me I probably went out to fast. I hung around the finishing chute giving out encouraging words and high fives in the warm Atlanta sun. …I’ll tell you a couple of ‘big data’ stories from the week. Now it’s the holiday season so I expect to get my share of junk mail from people trying to sell me stuff. I noticed over the last month I’ve been getting flooded with targeted advertisements for fancy cars. Every day I get some glossy brochure and personal invite letter from Lexus and Jaguar and Range Rover. I was trying to figure out what demographic inflection point I had tripped in the great consumer database in the cloud. Why did BMW, Mercedes and Audi think that I was ripe for the picking? I figured it was probably my age and my income level. I’m ripe for a mid-life crisis car. But it all seemed rather sudden and targeted. Then I was out on a long run with my friend Ryan in the Town Forest last weekend and we were talking about it. Ryan owns a marketing firm. We figured it out. You see, all the college financial data is public domain data. The great marketing data bureaus know that I just sent my last college tuition check. And that same day the handsome glossies for shiny, new, carefully hand-crafted by Austrian engineers, glinting in the desert sun as a slightly greying athletic male model grins at the abundance of life, while leaning into a challengingly scenic corner in the road from a warm, self-heating leather seat…began arriving by the bundle in my mail box. On with the show! Section one - Running TipsPart Two – Strength Training - http://runrunlive.com/strength-training-to-get-ready-for-a-hard-training-cycleVoices of reason – the conversationBobby Gill – The Half-Naked-Hilarity of Cupid’s Undie RunHere is Runner’s World’s story on Bobby: http://www.runnersworld.com/cover-search/cover-search-winner-bobby-gill Here is a link to a story that ran on a DC radio station: http://wtop.com/other-sports/2015/11/why-a-local-man-is-on-the-cover-of-runners-world-in-his-underwear/ Cupid's Undie Run is the world's largest organized underwear run and must- do Valentine's Day event. The money raised benefits the Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF), a nonprofit organization that funds research to fi nd treatments and a cure for neurofibromatosis (NF). Presented by Sock It To Me as the official underwear sponsor, Cupid's Undie Run combines a pre-race party, a one mi le -ish undie run and an after party. Cupid's Undie Run will take place on February 13 and February 20. In 2010, founders Brendan Hanrahan, Chad Leathers and Bobby Gill set off on a mission to raise awareness and donations to CTF after Chad's brother was di agnosed with NF, a genetic disorder that can cause tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body, which can lead to blindness, deafness, learning disabilities, cancer and chronic pain. Affecting more than two millio n people, NF often requires patients to undergo numerous medical procedures. Since 2010, Cupid's Undie Run has donated nearly $8 million to CTF. A nationally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit, Cupid's Undie Run held i ts first run in Washington, DC outside of the nation's Capitol Building. In 2016, the run will expand into 36 cities across the nation and three runs in Australia. Each run operates from the support of volunteers - creating an organized and enjoyable experience for its 25,000+ runners. Cupid's Undie Run aims to put the hilarity in charity, raising fu nds for NF research through whatever means necessary. Why run around in undies in the middle of the winter? There is no better "exposure." Runners can fundraise as individuals or teams, earning prizes and recognition for their part in helping to #EndNF. Participants in Cupid's Undi e Run must be 21 -years-old or older. About the Founders After his brother's diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis (NF), Chad Leathers and friends Brendan Hanrahan and Bobby Gill brainstormed ways to raise awareness and money in the fight against NF. The charitable cherubs decided on undies and started to make Cupid's Undie Run a reality. With endless help and support from volunteers, family and friends, this group continues to lead the world's largest organized underwear run - donating millions of dollars to CTF. Section two – 9 transformational moments in the running journey - http://runrunlive.com/9-transformational-moments-in-the-running-journeyOutro - Closing commentsMarathonBQ – How to Qualify for the Boston Marathon in 14 Weeks - http://www.marathonbq.com/qualify-for-the-boston-marathon-in-14-weeks/ OK my friends, you have run, maybe in your underwear, to the end of episode 4-328 of the RunRunLive podcast. It will be Christmas when this drops. I hope you all enjoys whatever version of the winter solstice you celebrate. Make sure to be kind to your family. Even if they are testing your patience. I’m in the midst of a couple hard weeks of volume and tempo. I’m going to run the Groton Marathon this weekend as a long training run. I’ve got a couple listeners who have stepped up and said they’re going to come along. I took the week after the Galloway as a step back week. I did a couple of easier Fartlek runs to let my legs get a bit of recovery before this last big push. This week I knocked off a solid 1:30 step up run. My zone 3 and zone 4 efforts are 15 seconds a mile faster than goal pace – so that bodes well. I’m going to do a 2 hour step up tomorrow that should be somewhere in the 14 mile range. Next week I’ll repeat those efforts and cap it with a 20 miler. Then I’m going to taper and take a swing at the Rock n Roll Phoenix race on the 17th. It’s not ideal, but If I’m going to requalify in time to get reseeded at Boston I’m out of time. If I can work on my strength training and dial in my nutrition to drop a couple pounds I should be right on my goal pace. It’s not guaranteed. But I have to commit. If you dither and give yourself outs you’ll never accomplish your goals. You need to have the ‘There is no plan B’ attitude. So that’s it. I’m committed. Over the next 3 weeks I’m going to do the work I can. It’s going to come down to a little bit of luck and a disciplined race execution. …Last week. In addition to all the fine automobilia brochures I was getting a bunch of calls on my cell phone from various states. I’d answer them or they’d leave a message. Sometimes they’d ask for ‘Harry’ and I’d tell them it was a wrong number. Sometimes they’d ask about my interest in earning an online degree. It wasn’t until one of them asked for Harry Potter that I figured out what was going on. Someone had filled out an interest form for colleges using my phone number and Harry Potter’s name. At first I was annoyed but then I’d be like “Are you listening to what you’re saying? You’re asking for Harry Potter, really?” Anyhow I’m just explaining it to them now. I mean if you’re an admissions assistance for an online college you don’t need me adding to your misery. I joked with my kids that I should start asking about Wizarding classes and such. But – my best story from last week is about ancient smells. I had to pack for a week in Atlanta, including a race. I am a business traveler and I use a small roller-board and I WILL NOT check a bag. I had to figure out how to get all my stuff into the one bag. The item of clothing that takes up the most space is my size 12D Hoka Clifton 2’s that I’m currently running in. I decided I’d wear these on the plane and save the space in my bag. Now, I’ve been running in these shoes since the middle of August. You figure 30 miles a week for 16 weeks is north of 400 miles. Many of these miles were hot and sweaty. These shoes are rather well-used, salt encrusted and aromatic. I get on the plane to Atlanta and get upgraded to 1st class. I kick my shoes off to let them air out a bit and give my feet some breathing room too. The steward comes by with the tray for the meal service – (yes they still serve meals in 1st class). On the tray he’s balanced a nice full glass of red wine. As he places the tray on my tray table the nice full glass of red win drops off the front directly between my legs. I have one of those ‘Oh shit!’ moments. There is a moment of good natured chaos. But I discover that the wine totally missed my (white) pants and merely glanced off my computer bag.Where did the wine go? Well it neatly filled up my size 12D Hokas. Now I’ve got a pair of wine-soaked running shoes that I have to race in the next day. The attendant was mortified as I poured wine out of my shoes, but assured them it wasn’t the end of the world. They had given me another great story to tell and if that was the worst thing to happen to me I’m leading a charmed life indeed. More noticeable was the incredibly unique aroma of old sweat and cheap wine. I’ve wandered this planet for many years and I don’t think I’ve ever smelled anything like that. A very rich, full-bodied smell with notes of dead animal carcass, you might say. I smiled when I thought about the race the next day and people wondering what that smell was. Maybe I’d be like the pied piper attracting all the middle-aged Galloway women with my secret wine pheromones. Then I thought, maybe this isn’t a unique smell. Maybe this is a very ancient smell. Maybe this is the smell of Greek and Roman warriors. Maybe I had rediscovered the scent of Pheidippides himself. So, think about that when you unwrap your Old Spice Cologne gift set from under your pagan yule bush this year and I’ll see you out there. MarathonBQ – How to Qualify for the Boston Marathon in 14 Weeks - http://www.marathonbq.com/qualify-for-the-boston-marathon-in-14-weeks/Http://www.marathonbq.comhttp://runrunlive.com/my-books

The RunRunLive 4.0 Podcast Episode 4-328 – Bobby Gill – The Half-Naked-Hilarity of Cupid's Undie Run. (Audio: link) [audio:http://www.RunRunLive.com/PodcastEpisodes/epi4328.mp3]Link epi4328.mp3MarathonBQ – How to Qualify for the Boston Marathon in 14 Weeks - http://www.marathonbq.com/qualify-for-the-boston-marathon-in-14-weeks/Hello and happy holidays from RunRunLive central here at the Mongolian Yak farm. I was going to do a whole bit about the wild reindeer catching the zombie virus, but since it's the holidays I won't mess with you. Today we have a really good talk with Bobby Gill from Cupid's Undie Run about his adventure. I'm always a bit hesitant when a publicist reaches out to me about someone or something. I always worry about doing the same interview as 10 other podcasters. That really doesn't add any value to you folks. But, I resonated with Bobby and really enjoyed our chat. He does this ‘aww-shucks we just got lucky' routine but you can tell there's some focus and talent in the background for him and the Undie run to get so big so fast. In section one I'm going to talk about strength training. In section two I'm going to wax poetic about 9 key moments in the runner's journey. Last time I talked to you folks I was rolling off of the Mill Cities Relay and getting ready for the Jeff Galloway ½ in Atlanta. I've continued to have great training weeks and am feeling fairly strong. I treated the ½ marathon as a pace run and didn't taper for it. I have pivoted my training from speedwork to long tempo. From the races I've done recently it shows me that I have enough speed but I need to work on strength and staying power. I raced the previous Sunday then did two hard 1:20 step up tempo runs during the week. I was also fighting some sort of cold all week. A travel race in the middle of December is just the worst timing, but I had to be in Atlanta all week anyhow so I just went down early. It was an opportunity for me to test out my pacing strategy to meet some old friends from the pod-o-sphere community and to check out a new race. I'm not going to go into full race report mode for you here. And I'm certainly not going to debate the Galloway training stuff. It's not for me, but kudos to Jeff for lowering the barrier to entry to running for so many people. He's doing good work with his flock. Overall the race is extremely well managed – everything went off without a hitch. The weather was good – maybe a little warm if you were back in the pack. I ran in short-shorts and singlet. I was soaked when I finished but it didn't affect my running. The course was actually interesting and had some pretty parts for a city course. The defining feature was the hills. I have worked and run in Atlanta for years. I know it's a hilly place. Running a ½ marathon through it is challenging. Jeff told me that it's actually a downhill course because the finish in Piedmont Park is a bit lower than the start. It's a very hilly course. If you know Atlanta you know that they aren't periodic steep hills, like in a New England race where you might have a 500 foot monster somewhere on the course. They are consistent long, shallow uphills and downhills. You're always either climbing or descending. It made it hard for me to execute my pacing strategy. I forgot my Garmin at home and was pacing old-school off my IronMan watch – which isn't a problem for me. I was intending to try to pace at just under my marathon goal pace of 8 min miles. The hills made pacing kind of impossible so I just ran by feel. This is a course where it would have really helped to know the course. The course is a bit deceptive at the end because they run you by and around the park a couple times. You are essentially circling the finish line for 3+ miles. Tim Cleary had told me there was a big hill at mile 9ish and then a steep downhill into the park. That was the landmark I was looking for. There was a big hill at the 9 mile mark, but that wasn't the one Tim was talking about. There was the steepest hill on the course around 10 miles with a long steep decent after, then you turn into the park. Tactically this is where I screwed up. After climbing the big hill in good order I got to the steep downhill and thought to myself “The turn into the park is at the bottom of this hill so I'll spend what I have here on the downhill and cruise into the finish.” The problem with that was once you turn into the park it's still a couple miles of rolling hills to get to the finish. I struggled the last couple miles in the park on dead legs. Not what I was intending to do but still finished under my target average pace. That tells me I probably went out to fast. I hung around the finishing chute giving out encouraging words and high fives in the warm Atlanta sun. …I'll tell you a couple of ‘big data' stories from the week. Now it's the holiday season so I expect to get my share of junk mail from people trying to sell me stuff. I noticed over the last month I've been getting flooded with targeted advertisements for fancy cars. Every day I get some glossy brochure and personal invite letter from Lexus and Jaguar and Range Rover. I was trying to figure out what demographic inflection point I had tripped in the great consumer database in the cloud. Why did BMW, Mercedes and Audi think that I was ripe for the picking? I figured it was probably my age and my income level. I'm ripe for a mid-life crisis car. But it all seemed rather sudden and targeted. Then I was out on a long run with my friend Ryan in the Town Forest last weekend and we were talking about it. Ryan owns a marketing firm. We figured it out. You see, all the college financial data is public domain data. The great marketing data bureaus know that I just sent my last college tuition check. And that same day the handsome glossies for shiny, new, carefully hand-crafted by Austrian engineers, glinting in the desert sun as a slightly greying athletic male model grins at the abundance of life, while leaning into a challengingly scenic corner in the road from a warm, self-heating leather seat…began arriving by the bundle in my mail box. On with the show! Section one - Running TipsPart Two – Strength Training - http://runrunlive.com/strength-training-to-get-ready-for-a-hard-training-cycleVoices of reason – the conversationBobby Gill – The Half-Naked-Hilarity of Cupid's Undie RunHere is Runner's World's story on Bobby: http://www.runnersworld.com/cover-search/cover-search-winner-bobby-gill Here is a link to a story that ran on a DC radio station: http://wtop.com/other-sports/2015/11/why-a-local-man-is-on-the-cover-of-runners-world-in-his-underwear/ Cupid's Undie Run is the world's largest organized underwear run and must- do Valentine's Day event. The money raised benefits the Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF), a nonprofit organization that funds research to fi nd treatments and a cure for neurofibromatosis (NF). Presented by Sock It To Me as the official underwear sponsor, Cupid's Undie Run combines a pre-race party, a one mi le -ish undie run and an after party. Cupid's Undie Run will take place on February 13 and February 20. In 2010, founders Brendan Hanrahan, Chad Leathers and Bobby Gill set off on a mission to raise awareness and donations to CTF after Chad's brother was di agnosed with NF, a genetic disorder that can cause tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body, which can lead to blindness, deafness, learning disabilities, cancer and chronic pain. Affecting more than two millio n people, NF often requires patients to undergo numerous medical procedures. Since 2010, Cupid's Undie Run has donated nearly $8 million to CTF. A nationally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit, Cupid's Undie Run held i ts first run in Washington, DC outside of the nation's Capitol Building. In 2016, the run will expand into 36 cities across the nation and three runs in Australia. Each run operates from the support of volunteers - creating an organized and enjoyable experience for its 25,000+ runners. Cupid's Undie Run aims to put the hilarity in charity, raising fu nds for NF research through whatever means necessary. Why run around in undies in the middle of the winter? There is no better "exposure." Runners can fundraise as individuals or teams, earning prizes and recognition for their part in helping to #EndNF. Participants in Cupid's Undi e Run must be 21 -years-old or older. About the Founders After his brother's diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis (NF), Chad Leathers and friends Brendan Hanrahan and Bobby Gill brainstormed ways to raise awareness and money in the fight against NF. The charitable cherubs decided on undies and started to make Cupid's Undie Run a reality. With endless help and support from volunteers, family and friends, this group continues to lead the world's largest organized underwear run - donating millions of dollars to CTF. Section two – 9 transformational moments in the running journey - http://runrunlive.com/9-transformational-moments-in-the-running-journeyOutro - Closing commentsMarathonBQ – How to Qualify for the Boston Marathon in 14 Weeks - http://www.marathonbq.com/qualify-for-the-boston-marathon-in-14-weeks/ OK my friends, you have run, maybe in your underwear, to the end of episode 4-328 of the RunRunLive podcast. It will be Christmas when this drops. I hope you all enjoys whatever version of the winter solstice you celebrate. Make sure to be kind to your family. Even if they are testing your patience. I'm in the midst of a couple hard weeks of volume and tempo. I'm going to run the Groton Marathon this weekend as a long training run. I've got a couple listeners who have stepped up and said they're going to come along. I took the week after the Galloway as a step back week. I did a couple of easier Fartlek runs to let my legs get a bit of recovery before this last big push. This week I knocked off a solid 1:30 step up run. My zone 3 and zone 4 efforts are 15 seconds a mile faster than goal pace – so that bodes well. I'm going to do a 2 hour step up tomorrow that should be somewhere in the 14 mile range. Next week I'll repeat those efforts and cap it with a 20 miler. Then I'm going to taper and take a swing at the Rock n Roll Phoenix race on the 17th. It's not ideal, but If I'm going to requalify in time to get reseeded at Boston I'm out of time. If I can work on my strength training and dial in my nutrition to drop a couple pounds I should be right on my goal pace. It's not guaranteed. But I have to commit. If you dither and give yourself outs you'll never accomplish your goals. You need to have the ‘There is no plan B' attitude. So that's it. I'm committed. Over the next 3 weeks I'm going to do the work I can. It's going to come down to a little bit of luck and a disciplined race execution. …Last week. In addition to all the fine automobilia brochures I was getting a bunch of calls on my cell phone from various states. I'd answer them or they'd leave a message. Sometimes they'd ask for ‘Harry' and I'd tell them it was a wrong number. Sometimes they'd ask about my interest in earning an online degree. It wasn't until one of them asked for Harry Potter that I figured out what was going on. Someone had filled out an interest form for colleges using my phone number and Harry Potter's name. At first I was annoyed but then I'd be like “Are you listening to what you're saying? You're asking for Harry Potter, really?” Anyhow I'm just explaining it to them now. I mean if you're an admissions assistance for an online college you don't need me adding to your misery. I joked with my kids that I should start asking about Wizarding classes and such. But – my best story from last week is about ancient smells. I had to pack for a week in Atlanta, including a race. I am a business traveler and I use a small roller-board and I WILL NOT check a bag. I had to figure out how to get all my stuff into the one bag. The item of clothing that takes up the most space is my size 12D Hoka Clifton 2's that I'm currently running in. I decided I'd wear these on the plane and save the space in my bag. Now, I've been running in these shoes since the middle of August. You figure 30 miles a week for 16 weeks is north of 400 miles. Many of these miles were hot and sweaty. These shoes are rather well-used, salt encrusted and aromatic. I get on the plane to Atlanta and get upgraded to 1st class. I kick my shoes off to let them air out a bit and give my feet some breathing room too. The steward comes by with the tray for the meal service – (yes they still serve meals in 1st class). On the tray he's balanced a nice full glass of red wine. As he places the tray on my tray table the nice full glass of red win drops off the front directly between my legs. I have one of those ‘Oh shit!' moments. There is a moment of good natured chaos. But I discover that the wine totally missed my (white) pants and merely glanced off my computer bag.Where did the wine go? Well it neatly filled up my size 12D Hokas. Now I've got a pair of wine-soaked running shoes that I have to race in the next day. The attendant was mortified as I poured wine out of my shoes, but assured them it wasn't the end of the world. They had given me another great story to tell and if that was the worst thing to happen to me I'm leading a charmed life indeed. More noticeable was the incredibly unique aroma of old sweat and cheap wine. I've wandered this planet for many years and I don't think I've ever smelled anything like that. A very rich, full-bodied smell with notes of dead animal carcass, you might say. I smiled when I thought about the race the next day and people wondering what that smell was. Maybe I'd be like the pied piper attracting all the middle-aged Galloway women with my secret wine pheromones. Then I thought, maybe this isn't a unique smell. Maybe this is a very ancient smell. Maybe this is the smell of Greek and Roman warriors. Maybe I had rediscovered the scent of Pheidippides himself. So, think about that when you unwrap your Old Spice Cologne gift set from under your pagan yule bush this year and I'll see you out there. MarathonBQ – How to Qualify for the Boston Marathon in 14 Weeks - http://www.marathonbq.com/qualify-for-the-boston-marathon-in-14-weeks/Http://www.marathonbq.comhttp://runrunlive.com/my-books

The audio quality might be a little strange, but it's still a great Joke Therapy episode with the handsome and talented Andrew Hobbs!

Tubby Tom Travers, the fattest PGA golfer, gives holidays dieting tips to keep you from being fat, you fatty. News News News: Ladies Love Football Jerseys, Last Year's New York Knicks Had Bad Energy Said Carmelo Anthony. Sketches: Tubby Tom Travers Holiday Diet Tips, Patrick Brandenburg on Detroit. Weird Sportsmen: Pheidippides.

26.2 is one of the most recognizable numbers in sports. It is also a curious number. The length of the marathon race is the only distance in track that is still measured in English units. Yards have become meters. The mile is now the 1500. But the marathon remains 26 miles, 385 yards. Why this peculiar distance? Explanations for the marathon’s length are varied and wrapped in myth. The first marathon race, held at the 1896 Athens Olympics, presumably retraced the route that Pheidippides ran from the battlefield at Marathon to Athens–a distance of 40 kilometers, or just under 25 miles. Subsequent marathon races ranged from roughly 25 to well over 26 miles, depending on the whims of organizers. The distance of 26.2 miles was first established at the 1908 London Olympics. But even the setting of that odd length has several explanations. The one story I’ve often repeated is that the 385 yards were necessary to bring the finish line to the front of the Queen’s box at the Olympic stadium. But now, after reading David Davis’ book, Showdown at Shepherd’s Bush: The 1908 Olympic Marathon and the Three Runners Who Launched a Sporting Craze (Thomas Dunne Books, 2012), I know that the royal intervention in London is just as legendary as Pheidippides’ run to announce the Athenians’ victory. The plotting of the now-standard marathon distance is just one of the stories David tells in his fascinating book. At the center of the book is the meeting of three runners at the London Games: Tom Longboat, the celebrated Onondaga runner from Ontario who entered the race as the favorite; the unheralded Irish-American Johnny Hayes; and Italian runner Dorando Pietri, who was determined to improve on his performance in the previous Olympics. David weaves the biographies of the three runners into a history of the early Olympics and marathon racing in Europe and North America. Runners will be stunned by his accounts of these early races, which included doses of liquor served at refreshment stations and marathons run entirely indoors. And even those who are winded by a jog across the lawn will find much to enjoy in David’s book. If you are planning to watch the Olympics that begin next week, your appreciation of London 2012 will be enhanced by looking back at this picture of the spectacle and scandal of London 1908. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26.2 is one of the most recognizable numbers in sports. It is also a curious number. The length of the marathon race is the only distance in track that is still measured in English units. Yards have become meters. The mile is now the 1500. But the marathon remains 26 miles, 385 yards. Why this peculiar distance? Explanations for the marathon’s length are varied and wrapped in myth. The first marathon race, held at the 1896 Athens Olympics, presumably retraced the route that Pheidippides ran from the battlefield at Marathon to Athens–a distance of 40 kilometers, or just under 25 miles. Subsequent marathon races ranged from roughly 25 to well over 26 miles, depending on the whims of organizers. The distance of 26.2 miles was first established at the 1908 London Olympics. But even the setting of that odd length has several explanations. The one story I’ve often repeated is that the 385 yards were necessary to bring the finish line to the front of the Queen’s box at the Olympic stadium. But now, after reading David Davis’ book, Showdown at Shepherd’s Bush: The 1908 Olympic Marathon and the Three Runners Who Launched a Sporting Craze (Thomas Dunne Books, 2012), I know that the royal intervention in London is just as legendary as Pheidippides’ run to announce the Athenians’ victory. The plotting of the now-standard marathon distance is just one of the stories David tells in his fascinating book. At the center of the book is the meeting of three runners at the London Games: Tom Longboat, the celebrated Onondaga runner from Ontario who entered the race as the favorite; the unheralded Irish-American Johnny Hayes; and Italian runner Dorando Pietri, who was determined to improve on his performance in the previous Olympics. David weaves the biographies of the three runners into a history of the early Olympics and marathon racing in Europe and North America. Runners will be stunned by his accounts of these early races, which included doses of liquor served at refreshment stations and marathons run entirely indoors. And even those who are winded by a jog across the lawn will find much to enjoy in David’s book. If you are planning to watch the Olympics that begin next week, your appreciation of London 2012 will be enhanced by looking back at this picture of the spectacle and scandal of London 1908. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are coming this morning to a new book of the Bible and, as I frequently like to do, we are going to look in an overview fashion. My desire as we look at the Book of Hebrews, not just this morning but also in the weeks to come, is that we would have a better vision, a clearer vision of "our great salvation," as the writer calls it in Hebrews 2. On the morning of September 17th, 490 BC, some 10,000 Greeks stood assembled on a narrow plain 26 miles east of Athens ready to fight to the death even to the last man. Behind them, physically behind them, lay everything of value in this world to them: their homes, their families, their lifestyle, their beautiful city of Athens. In front of them lay a seemingly invincible army, a Persian army, 48,000 men who had landed the assembled forces of Darius I, the king of the Persian Empire. This vast invading force had landed from an awesome armada whose ships could still be seen there as they were preparing to fight the battle. They were there to wipe out the Greeks to the last man and plunder their homes. The narrow plain hemmed in on each side by boggy marshlands was chosen specifically by the Persians because it would help them in their use of chariots. And its name would become one of the most famous named battlefields of antiquity of the ancient world. Somehow, against all odds, the Greeks defeated the Persians that day, winning the Battle of Marathon, saving Greek civilization. After the battle, however, the danger was not completely over. The Persian fleet was still intact and still was able to sail down and get right near Athens and threaten that beloved city. And so in an amazing feat of strength, the Greek army marched at double time from that battlefield and somehow reached Athens ahead of the Persian ships. But ahead of them, they dispatched their best runner, Pheidippides, to cover the 26 miles with the message that they had won the battle but that danger was still coming. And so that man ran the 26 miles and thus invented a new race that we call the marathon. We think about it without knowing the battle, the history behind it; now you know and you can impress your friends with your knowledge, if you can rehearse the facts I just gave you. But that's what it was and this man Pheidippides covered the 26 miles and legend has it that he gave the message and then died after having run the distance. Now, myself in high school, I was a distance runner. The farthest I ever ran was 25 kilometers, which is a little less than 16 miles. I thought I was going to die that day. I'll never forget that day. Way too long, and the idea of running another 10 miles beyond that, I don't have any idea of how people do that, and if I'm in the presence right now of someone who's completed a marathon, my hat's off to you. I don't know how you did it. But I believe that the Book of Hebrews, while not using the language or the term "marathon," presents the Christian life in that way. It's a marathon, friends. It requires tremendous endurance, painful suffering, and determination when things get very, very difficult not to give up and grow faint. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance or endurance the race marked out before us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." I think that's something we should do every single day of our lives. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, amen. Let's think about Jesus and think about the race that He has set out in front of us to run. The Book of Hebrews speaks with a very serious tone about the need to persevere in the Christian life. Hebrews 10:36 says, "You need to persevere, so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised." We have such a great salvation, as I already mentioned. It is a great salvation and the Book of Hebrews stands alone, I think, in the Bible in revealing to us the greatness of Jesus Christ as the mediator of the new covenant that saves our souls. It is a new and better covenant and by that covenant we are forgiven of our sins and we will be welcomed in the heaven. And Jesus is that superior mediator, the one who brings the covenant to us from God. I. General Overview Exhortations (paraklésis) and warning in Hebrews He is a superior mediator. He's bringing that superior covenant and it results in a superior life, that's the theme of the Book of Hebrews. The Book of Hebrews, I think, also stands alone in giving us some of the most serious and severe warnings in the Christian life and many Christians go astray when they see the warnings in the Book of Hebrews. They do not understand the role that these warnings play in our salvation. Many Christians think they do not apply to them because we cannot lose our salvation, which we definitely cannot. But they do not realize how much we who are running this race of salvation need these warnings to keep us going in that race. And so I'm going to be preaching the Book of Hebrews as written to the church, written to us. We who claim to be Christians, we who have made a profession of faith in Christ, we need to heed these warnings. Frankly, I think only the elect, only the true believers, heed these warnings. I think those who are only sham Christians do not heed the warnings and so they fall away. And so this fall, we are going to be looking carefully at a unique book of the Bible, and as we do, I think we are going to get a greater, a clearer sense of what Jesus has done for us on the cross. What is this covenant that saves us? What was the old covenant? What was its role? We are going to get a sense, ultimately, of the greatness of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Now, I am going to begin at the end. We are going to be all over the place so do not despair of following me. I do not know, friends. Do the best you can but we are going to go across the scope of this great book. And I am going to begin at the end, when the author tells us what the book is. In Hebrews 13:22, he says, "I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation for I've written you only a brief letter.” By the way, this is what stood for a brief letter back in the antiquities, all right? They didn't have Twitter back then, I guess; now that's a brief letter. Okay? But this is what he said it was a brief letter, 300 verses. Bob read the section that I asked him to read. We were toying with him reading the whole book but we would still be at it right now. We would probably be around chapter four or five right now, so... But it would have been worth doing. It is a brief letter but it is a word of exhortation. That is what he calls it. The Greek word is paraklésis. The basic concept, then, is that Christian salvation is a process. It is what I would call a marathon race, a journey that will only be completed when all the elect, all the children of God, are eternally perfect and have glorious resurrection bodies. While we are in this world we are in enemy territory, friends. We are in danger while we are in this world, grave danger. And we must keep making progress on our journey. We must continue to fight the good fight of faith. We have to keep running the race with endurance until we are done in this world and thus we must have exhortation along the way. The Greek word, as I said, is paraklésis in Hebrews 13:22. It is an interesting word; an interesting word of comfort, consolation and encouragement spoken to someone in difficulty, suffering, and distress to bring them consolation, giving them internal courage, and comfort to continue in the midst of their trial and their suffering. But, it is also a word of exhortation, warning and admonition. Paraklésis is urging people to get moving, fight the good fight, keep running the race. So, therefore, you have a softer side of paraklésis and a harder side. One side knows, it seems, when to put an arm around you and weep with you. And one aspect of paraklésis knows when to be a drill instructor or a tough coach who is yelling at you while you are running up a hill for the tenth time to get you ready for the physically grueling trial you are about to have on the battlefield or in a football game. Both sides are part of that word, paraklésis. That is what this letter is. The Holy Spirit is called "Our Paraklete." That is the noun form and we get it in the Gospel of John 14:26. It says, "But the counselor." NIV gives us, "The counselor, the Holy Spirit and the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." So paraklete, related to paraklésis, is translated in NIV "counselor" like a lawyer, someone called alongside to help you in a court trial. KJV, however, uses the "comforter." ESV uses the "helper." The basic idea, then, is the Holy Spirit lives with you, he'll be in you, he gives you moment by moment all the wise counsel, and the gentle comfort, and consolation, plus the stern rebukes, the hard warnings, the discipline that you need to finish the Christian life. Now, the Book of Hebrews uses this word "encourage" a lot, this paraklésis idea a lot. In 3:13 it says, "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called the day so that none of you be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." So you want that encouragement around you while you're dealing with sin's deceitfulness. Or again, Hebrews 10:25, which you heard Bob read, "Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching." I really think that Christians need to learn what this word means so that we can have really good fellowship with each other. It is great to have a Labor Day picnic or some people over but let us, as Christians, let us really encourage each other. The Book of Hebrews, I think, helps us to do that so we can know what to do for each other. Audience of the Book of Hebrews Who is this book written to? The Book of Hebrews, who is the audience here? Well, throughout the book you are going to find an overwhelming appeal to Old Testament scripture, to Old Testament imagery; clearly, the author considers his audience very familiar with Jewish imagery, with the sacrificial system and with the Scriptures. He assumes a lot: the authority of the prophets, and of the Word of God, these kinds of things. The audience is very familiar with the history of the Old Testament and with the imagery, and the sacrificial system. And the opening statement in Hebrews 1:1, here we are at the beginning of the book now, way at the beginning. In Hebrews 1:1 it says, "In the past, God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets." Well, that I think identifies the audience as Jewish. And so as he is speaking about our forefathers he is saying the prophets, God sent the prophets to them. Well, God sent the prophets to the Jews. And furthermore, as you continue to read in chapter 2:1-4, these are people who had heard the gospel. They had seen miracles. They had heard the gospel from the messengers sent out by the apostles. “And they...”, in chapter 6, it says, "Once been enlightened, have tasted the heavenly gift, have shared in the Holy Spirit, have tasted the goodness of the word of God, powers of the coming age." They have been involved in gospel ministry, they have been coming to church, they have been hearing the preaching, the explanation of New Testament doctrine, they have had all this. And they had made some kind of profession of faith in Christ, they were professors of faith in Christ. In Hebrews 3:1 it says, "Therefore, holy brothers who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess." Or again, 4:14, "Therefore since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess." Hebrews 10:23, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promises is faithful." So there's actually a number of times when the author refers to the fact they'd made a profession of faith in Christ. So these are Jewish people who had heard the gospel, had been involved in church life, had made an outward confession or profession of faith in Christ, but there is a problem. They were going through severe persecution it seems. Some people had lost their property, some had been imprisoned, there was pressure being put on them by Satan through the world, and I think probably through Jewish friends and relatives and neighbors to give up their profession of faith in Christ. They were being squeezed by the world; they were being squeezed economically. They were living in a Jewish community, perhaps, and no one was buying their things or they could not get work or whatever. And so they are facing poverty, they're going through a very, very hard time and there is pressure on these Jewish professors of faith in Christ to give up their confession of Jesus and just go back to the old covenant life. Turn their back on Jesus, just give up Jesus, just go back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, go back to Moses, go back to the law, go back to what you have always known, just give up on Jesus. So they were drifting away from Christ, developing hardened hearts, they were losing their courage, they were choosing not to come to church, staying away from church and they were going back to the old ways of Judaism. And the author clearly looks on this as a dire emergency for them. Dire emergency. So he is writing to them. Author of the Book of Hebrews? Now, who is the author? Now, I thought you were going to tell me who is... I said, who is the author? Now, some will call out Paul, and he is probably the most common choice in church history. However, the author never identifies himself. But because Paul always in other places identifies himself, doesn't mean he didn't write it. Those that are really experts at Greek style, which I am not, say that the style is very different than Paul's letters, a much higher, more polished style. I know this from personal experience: it's the hardest Greek to translate in the New Testament; just very, very high level, the vocabulary is at a high level. Paul could have done that -- it is possible. However, I do not think it’s a matter, an article of faith. No one should be offended if I do what I am planning on doing, saying Paul is not the author of Hebrews. It's safer, a little less risky, and if I get to heaven and it turned out to have been Paul, I think by the time I am in heaven, I’ll not need to apologize, but we’ll deal with that on judgment day and I’ll apologize to him for missing out that he wrote this. But we'll go with what Eusebius said that Origen said, "Who wrote the epistle in truth only God knows." And he lived just a few centuries after it was written, so I don't know. So I'm going to be saying "the author to Hebrews." The superiority of Christ Now, let's get to the real issue. What is the significance of this book? Why did he write it? What was he saying? What is the message? And that's really what's going to take our time the rest of this morning. But, what is the message of Hebrews? A.W. Pink said the central theme of Hebrews is the superiority of Christianity over Judaism; the superiority of Christianity over Judaism. Hebrews 7:22, "Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant." There's lots of comparison in the book, something that's better, something that's superior, at a higher level. Again, Hebrews 8:6, "The ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which He is mediator is superior to the old one, and it's founded on better promises." So superior, superior, better. So, two things are being compared and what A.W. Pink says is Christianity is being compared to Judaism. New covenant is being compared to old covenant. Jesus is being compared to no Jesus. Fine. I think, more precisely, I would say it's a superiority of Christ over all other mediators that God has ever used or ever will use, including the prophets, Moses himself, and the angels, and, therefore, the superiority of the new covenant that Christ came to bring over the old covenant that He had fulfilled and superseded. And the kind of life that should come from that life, from that covenant, a life filled with faith, filled with courage, filled with good fruit, willing to face persecution, a life in which you would have your name in the hall of faith if we're extended. So, that you face courageously the trials of your life and you don't shrink back away from them, but you boldly fulfill that new covenant spirit-filled life that God has given to you. That's what the book is about, a superior mediator bringing a superior covenant resulting in a superior life, that's what the Book of Hebrews is about. And so, we have beautifully the doctrine of Christ. What specifically were these Jewish professors of faith in Christ doing when they were going back to Judaism? They were specifically turning their backs on Jesus. That's what's going on, they were specifically looking Jesus in the face and turning their back on Jesus and walking away back to Moses, back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, back to the God of Moses and other patriarchs, turning their backs on Jesus. And so, therefore, right away in Hebrews 1, the author is going to give the superiority of Christ in every way; the glory of Christ, glorious descriptions of the person and work of Christ, they exalt the person of Christ the Son of God. I'll quote those later in the message when I go over that section, but the perfected work of Christ, the mediator and high priest from God. John Calvin said this, "There is indeed no book in the holy scripture which speaks so clearly of the priesthood of Christ, which so highly exalts the virtue and dignity of that only true sacrifice which He offered by His death, which so abundantly deals with the use of ceremonies as well as their termination and in a word so fully explains that Christ is the end of the law." So, the glorious doctrine of Jesus Christ and, as we've mentioned, the fact that the old covenant is now obsolete. I remember when I was doing scripture memorization in the Book of Hebrews and came across in Hebrews 8 where it called the old covenant obsolete. And I thought, "I wouldn't have the courage to speak over the old covenant, this word obsolete," except that this book gives us the permission to do it. It's obsolete, friends. Its time has passed. It's been fulfilled in Jesus and superseded by the new covenant, so it says in Hebrews 8, "If there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another." But God found fault with the people and said, "The time is coming," declares the Lord, "When I'll make a new covenant with the house of Israel, with the house of Judah." And by calling that covenant new, He's made the first one obsolete and what is obsolete and aging will soon pass away. Hebrews 8:13. It is by this book, then, especially we know that we are not to be offering animal sacrifices. So stop doing that. We are not to be offering animal sacrifices though they are clearly commanded all over the place in the Old Testament. But, we know that time is finished. That old covenant religion, which was so prominent, has been fulfilled in Christ and become obsolete. It is by this book that we do not establish in some new way Levitical priests to offer bulls and goats. We do not erect a new temple to replace the old one. We do not make three annual pilgrimages to that temple, to Jerusalem. Without the teachings of this book, we might rightly wonder if God still expected these things of us, perhaps as a memorial of Jesus. Now we are told to stop, the time is finished. It is by the Book of Hebrews that we see the completeness and perfection of the new covenant directly contrasted with the incompleteness and the imperfection of the old covenant. Here we will learn what is included in the new covenant, which the old covenant could never produce. I'm going to talk more about that in a few moments. Old Covenant Explained Fourthly, we also see the old covenant explained. Old covenant is explained. It is by the Book of Hebrews, more than any other book in the Bible, that you understand all of that stuff that was going on. The tabernacle, the ark of the covenant, the blood sacrifices, what it was all for? Why did God do it? Why was animal sacrifice so significant? A.W. Pink said, "Perhaps its chief distinctive value lies in its exposition of the Old Testament types." Here we are taught that the tabernacle and its furniture, the priesthood, and their service, the various sacrifices and offerings all pointed ahead to the person, offices and glories of the Lord Jesus. Of Israel's priests, it is said they serve a copy and a shadow of what is in heaven. The first tabernacle was merely a symbol for the present age. The ceremonial law was a shadow of good things to come. Melchizedek was a type of Christ, Isaac was a figure of Christ, and so on. The Book of Hebrews, then, we can see how perfectly the Old Testament's sacrificial system, animal sacrificial system, was getting ready for a very powerful presentation of the gospel in Jesus Christ. It's really by Hebrews that I understood what to do with the animal sacrificial system and now it's become probably one of my favorite ways to share the gospel. And we'll talk about it, I think, probably multiple times as we study Hebrews. But, I learned from the book of Hebrews, concerning the animal sacrificial system, three lessons of that animal sacrificial system. All sin deserves a death penalty, the death penalty can be paid by a substitute, but the substitute cannot be an animal. And that just is like a cliffhanger where you're waiting for the final chapter, that's what the old covenant was meant to do. Okay, what's coming now? Jesus is coming. And so I saw with clarity from the Book of Hebrews, it was through the portal of the Book of Hebrews, when I was preaching in Genesis, when the little boy Isaac said to his father, "Here's wood and here's fire, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?" And Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb." What a great answer that was. And how I saw that his question, that little boy's question on Mount Moriah, was really the summation question of the old covenant, "Where is the lamb?" "Can't be these animals, the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sin." Oh, I just quoted Hebrews. They cannot take away sin. All right, where is the lamb? John the Baptist answered, remember, pointing at Jesus said, "Behold, the lamb of God takes away the sins of the world." Those two verses just summed up old covenant, new covenant for me. "Where's the lamb, behold the lamb." There it is. And it was Hebrews that gave me that kind of clarity and now it is probably my favorite way to share the gospel with somebody who's familiar with Christian terminology, with perhaps a nominal Catholic or somebody who's aware of these things and understood that animal sacrifice was there but didn't know what it was about. I love doing this, because it brings us straight to the cross, dear friends, and it explains why Jesus died. All sin deserves a death penalty. The death penalty can be paid by a substitute, the substitute cannot be an animal, and, therefore, the substitute is Jesus. If you trust in Jesus, if you put your trust in Him, your death penalty for your sins will be paid in full, dear friends. Warnings in the Book of Hebrews and God’s sovereignty And I prayed this morning that God would bring someone here who needed to hear that. And you just heard the gospel, Jesus stood in your place, He shed His blood for you that your sins might be forgiven if you repent and believe, your death penalty has been paid in full, and you're going to heaven when you die, that is the gospel. It was Hebrews that gave me that kind of clarity. But along with that came an understanding of the dynamic of the Christian life. It is a dynamic thing. We are not done being saved, friends, we're on a journey. We call it in this church the internal journey, sanctification. We are not there yet, and we have got to have some warnings to keep us going. We've got to have that drill instructor that comes along at key moments and yells at us. Now, let me tell you a story from my cross country days. I remember the summer between my sophomore and junior year, we were supposed to be running on an average between eight to 12 miles a day. I considered that somewhat in June, thought about it a little bit more in July and started to do it in August. Okay, if you know anything about distance running, it's too late. The season's probably gone at this point. I didn't realize that, but it became clear at our first formal practice when the captain of the team, who was one of the best runners in the state, took the team on a 14-mile hilly run. I will never forget that as long as I live. And I was laboring up this hill and the other good runners were already at the top of the hill. This guy turned around and came back down the hill to join me in my run up the hill. I will never forget that run as long as I live. I didn't think he was very nice that day. He wasn't being nice, he was yelling at me, you know. I don't know where he got off doing that, he was only a year ahead of me in school, but at any rate, there it was. But I've thought about that and I think there are times that we need to get yelled at in the Christian life and there are scriptures that'll do it. And Hebrews has a lot of those scriptures. And we need it. And what I've come to realize, I believe in God's sovereignty and salvation, I believe in predestination, I believe you can't lose, I believe once saved, always saved, I believe all those things. We'll talk about it plenty. But I think the warnings help bring it about, and you need to listen to them, and take them seriously, not blow them off for any reason, theological or practical, don't say, "I don't need to hear that." Take it seriously. So in Hebrews 2:1, it says we must therefore pay more careful attention to what we've heard, so that we do not drift away, so don't drift away. Hebrews 3:12 says, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God," so don't turn away. And then the worst of all, Hebrews 6: 4-6, "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away to be brought back again to repentance," because to their own loss, they're crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace. Don't drift away, don't turn away, don't fall away. To say, "Well, if I believe in the sovereignty of God I don't think any of those things can happen to me." Don't think like that, friends. Don't think like that. The warnings were given to us. It goes beyond that and says, "Don't shrink away." We are not, Hebrews 10, "Of those who shrink back like the Jews did who refused to enter the promise land through unbelief." We're not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but we are of those who believe and are saved, we cross the Jordan, we go on and fight the battles. So don't shrink away, don't stay away. Hebrews 10:25 says, "Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together," it is not a small thing to skip church, friends. We'll get to that in due time, but it's not a minor deal. It has an impact on the body of Christ and on you. And I understand, I'm not being legalistic here about it. I'm just saying it plays a role in your salvation. You do it once, you'll do it twice; do it twice, you'll do it four times. After a while it becomes a habit. It says, "As some are in the habit of doing." It's talking there about the habit of staying away from church, but how do you know it's not going to be a habit in you a year from now? Don't stay away and don't throw away your confidence. Hebrews 10:35, “don't throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded.” Sometimes you, through just willful sin, we just throw away our peace and are filling with the spirit, the fruit is spirit, throw it away like it's little or nothing. Don't throw away your confidence. It's good to have a healthy, strong assurance of salvation. Don't throw it away like it's cheap or nothing. And don't be carried away by false teachings. In Hebrews 13:9, "Don't be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching." Those are warnings to all of us. We've got to hear those. Don't drift away, don't turn away, don't fall away, don't shrink away, don't stay away, don't throw away anything of value. Warnings. And there are therefore exhortations to the church. Let's draw near to God, let's stand firm in our faith. Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need," in the passage that Bob read. Hebrews 10:22, "Let us draw near to God." You realize what a privilege that is? What a sweet privilege you're given in the new covenant. II. Summary of the Major Sections The Glorious Superiority of Jesus Christ (1:1-3:6) The essence of the old covenant is thus far and no farther. You are the people of God, but you may not come in. There is a barrier, there's a wall, there's a curtain, you're not allowed in, you'll be struck dead if you go up in the holy mountain, that's old covenant. New covenant, there is a new and living way for us named Jesus and you are not just encouraged, you are actually commanded to draw near to God and come right close to Him and sit on His lap and pour out your heart to Him and be intimate with Almighty God through Jesus. Isn't that powerful? That's why the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And so we have these exhortations. Those are just some major themes in the Book of Hebrews. Let's look at some of the major sections and then we'll be done. We can't go into great detail, but the first major section is the glorious superiority of Jesus Christ. If you're there, just look at Hebrews 1:3, we'll preach about this next week, God willing, but Hebrews 1:3 says, "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. And after He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven." Oh, what a sweet verse that is. The Son is the radiance of God's glory. We'll talk about it in detail next week, but we're just going to talk about the greatness and the majesty of Jesus. The application to these Jewish professors of faith in Christ is that they're just leaving Jesus out. They're not just leaving Jesus out, He is the radiance of God's glory. He's the exact representation of His being. How can you turn your back on Him? He sustains all things by His powerful word, including your body. How can you turn your back on Jesus? Impossible. So the greatness of Christ, He is the final word, God's final word to the human race. In the past, He spoke through the prophets. Now, He's speaking to us by Jesus. He is God's final word and is thus as the Son of God, He's superior to angels and to all creation, which He is upholding by His powerful word. At the right time, He'll roll it up and throw it away like an old garment and make a new one in its place. That's Jesus. How powerful is that? And so because of that, then, don't drift away from Jesus. We see in chapter 2 the glorious superiority of Christ in this humanity, because the children, that's us, have flesh and blood. "He too," it says, "Shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death," that is the devil, "And free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." Man, I would just like to go on Hebrews the rest of the day. Wouldn't that be awesome? I mean, that's incredible. Jesus by His death has freed you from being afraid of dying. Don't fear death. Don't fear death. And know that Satan's been destroyed. Satan's been... He just doesn't fully know it yet, how destroyed he is, but he has been destroyed by Jesus' death. Hallelujah. And Jesus took on a human body to do it, and therefore He is superior as a mediator. He's superior to Moses. The Jews revered Moses. They're gonna turn their backs, they're gonna go back to Moses, the leader of the people. The one who led the exodus. The author of Hebrews has to be careful here, and he is, Moses is a good man. Moses was a faithful servant of God. He did what he was told to do. He was given living words to pass on to us and he passed them on. Moses was faithful as a servant in God's house, but Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. Warnings against Falling Away from God (3:7-6:20) The superiority of Jesus to Moses is clearly established. The supremacy of Christ, and secondly, then, serious warnings about falling away from Him. Don't turn away from God, Hebrews 3:7 and 8. I'll tell you this, I probably don’t want to overstate now, but I think Hebrew 3:7 and 8 are probably the most important practical verses I've ever learned on the daily Christian Life. And it goes like this, quoting Psalm 95, "So as the Holy Spirit says, today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." Unbelievably important. "As the Holy Spirit says," quote, and then comes Psalm 95. You know what that means? You can have an encounter with the Spirit of God every time you open the Bible. As a matter of fact, that's what it is. The Spirit is speaking to you when you read this book, and He's saying something to you now. He's talking to you and if you hear Him talk to you, don't harden your heart, but do what He tells you to do. Do you not see how powerfully important that is? Read the Bible, by the power of the Spirit, glean what He's saying to you and go do it, and don't harden your heart. Vital verses. It's a warning. How the author of the Hebrews looks back to Psalm 95, 1000 years before him, David writing Psalm 95 and then David looking back even further, four-and-a-half centuries back to the Exodus. They refused to enter the Promised Land. They hardened their hearts. They didn't do what God wanted them to do and they were destroyed. You see in Hebrews 3 and 4 an ongoing rumination over Psalm 95, the author is a meticulous worker over scripture. He works over passages. You're going to see that. He teaches us that meticulous study of the Bible is a good thing, but he's just saying, "Today, today, today. If you hear his voice today, if you hear him speaking don't harden your heart. All you ever have is today." And then he just steps aside and said, "You realize what I've been doing? I've just been thinking about Psalm 95." Wow, is the word of God powerful. Wow, is the word of God living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It's able to penetrate even to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account. Oh, my goodness, you read that and it's like the word of God is an encounter with the living God. A sharp sword, it's bringing you to conviction, getting you ready for judgment day and, then as you're trembling, as you're thinking about that, then you are escorted by the ministry of Jesus, our new high priest, into the very presence of God. Since we have such a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold firmly to that faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who's been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin. Let us therefore draw near to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Oh, how sweet are those verses. And so as you're trembling with the word of God and thinking about day, you have a mediator, you have a high priest. He is sinless and pure. His righteousness is yours. He's praying for you. He's interceding for you. His blood was shed for you, let's draw near to God. And so Jesus, then, as high priest is introduced to us. The supremacy of Christ as the high priest and then because of that then the author just takes a break, he wants to talk about Melchizedek. I always find this interesting, he says, "I have a lot to tell you about Melchizedek, but it's hard to explain because you're slow to learn." He just gives them a spanking right there in the middle. It's like, what is that? By now you should be teachers, you guys should be spreading the word everywhere and look at you, you're like babies. You need milk, not solid food. I'd like to give you some solid food, that whole Melchizedek thing, we'll get to it in chapter 7, but I can't, because you're slow to learn and I'm worried about you. And that's when he gives the devastating chapter 6 that causes so many people so much struggle. If you fall away, you can't come back. It's impossible to renew you to repentance. You drink deeply from this fountain, you swim in these waters for a while, you walk away, you're not coming back, friends. You're not coming back. You've heard it all, there's nothing new to say to you. That should make you afraid. Stay here. You know, 1 John said, "They went out from us because they weren't really of us." And so that's why the author gives that warning. But he says, "Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we're confident of better things in your case, things that accompany salvation." That's what he's saying. So he gives them a comforting word, but he's given them that warning. The Glorious Superiority of the New Covenant over the Old Covenant (7:1-10:39) And so we have this glorious supremacy, the superiority of the new covenant to the old covenant in chapters 7 through 10. We have this man Melchizedek. He is an interesting figure, who pops up in the middle of the Genesis account after the defeat of the kings. And Abraham gives him a tenth of all of his plunder and then he disappears again. Who is this man, this Melchizedek? But he doesn't disappear forever. He reappears when the psalmist, David, writes in Psalm 10, "The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, you are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek." Who is Melchizedek? Well, he's a combination priest and king. A priest king, a king priest. And that's the very thing that was precluded in the old covenant. Any king, who tried to offer sacrifices, generally lost their life or their kingdom. Couldn't do it, but now in Jesus there is someone from the tribe of Judah, king, descended from David, but he is also a priest and so in order to do that you have to change the rules of the game. The old covenant would not have permitted Jesus to be a priest. So we have to have a new covenant to have the better priesthood, and we do. We have a new covenant; we have a new order of priesthood, an order of Melchizedek, where out of that he ministers. The Son of God, living forever, not in one of these dying sons of Aaron, that die and then the next one comes along, and then he dies and then the next one comes along. One who is weak and sinful, and has to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as for the sins of the people. We don't have anyone like that. We have a pure, spotless, holy Son of God who lives forever as our high priest. And He's up there in the heavens and He's ministering His blood at the right hand of God, and He is interceding for you, and He's praying for you so that you may receive your salvation to the uttermost, right to the end. He is interceding for you. And He'll go on praying for you and the Father hears the prayers of the Son. And so therefore, that's the superior ministry that Jesus gives. And His sacrifice, His own blood, offered Himself, is better than any of those animals and we already touched on this. The animals could not bring you forgiveness. The animal blood could not save you, so Jesus had to come. And He offered his blood, not over and over, many, many, many, many times, but once for all. Once for all. And in the midst of this comes glorious chapter 8. Just look there for a minute, 8:10-12, which is the essence of the new covenant, how it's better than the old covenant. Oh, I just love this, it's actually in the Book of Hebrews twice, it's also in chapter 10. This quote from Jeremiah 31:33-34, "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor or a man his brother saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more." You have three glorious elements of the new covenant that the old covenant didn't have. Let's take them in reverse order. Complete forgiveness of sins. All of your sins, past, present, and future, can be, will be, completely forgiven by the blood of Jesus. Old covenant couldn't do it. All it could ever do is show you what your sins were, but it could not forgive them. Not a single person is in heaven right now because of the ministrations of the old covenant. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, all of those, they're in heaven because of what Jesus did. Amen. The old covenant doesn't save anybody, never has. And so I will forgive their wickedness, and I will remember their sins no more, first. Secondly, I will put my laws in their minds and I'll write them on their hearts. It's a transformed nature. He's changing your heart, He's taking out that heart of stone and giving the heart of flesh. He is putting God's word inside you, so that you yearn to obey the law. As it says, even in that sad Romans 7, the author Paul there says, "In my heart, in my mind, I delight in God's law." How did that happen? God did that. Even though we still struggle with sin, we delight in God's law. We have a new nature. And then thirdly, "I will be their God and they will be my people." Based on the forgiveness of sins, based on that transformed nature, He has adopted us and we are His guard and we don't need anyone to tell us, "Know the lord," we will all know Him, from the least to the greatest, all the way up to face to face fellowship at the throne of God in heaven. That's what the new covenant can do for you, friends, old covenant can't do those three things. And so old covenant was just a type, it was a shadow, it was a symbol, the tabernacle, the blood, all that just pointing ahead to the real ministry, the ministry of Jesus. And therefore we are exhorted, since we have confidence to enter the most holy place, to get right into the holy of holies with God, we have confidence to enter the most holy place. Let us then draw near to God. Do you feel distant from God today? Did you come in here today feeling distant? Do you feel guilty for sins? Do you feel like you're trapped in some pattern you can't get out of? Friend, if you're a Christian you are not a slave to sin, you're not trapped, you're forgiven. You've been given a new nature, you've been set free from sin and death. So draw near to God, it's the devil telling you you don't have a right to come in the into the fellowship, you're commanded to come close and to draw near into the very holy of holies. But if you choose not to, Hebrews 10 also has not only some of the sweetest enticements, but the most severe warnings. "How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished, who has trampled the Son of God underfoot," that's what he says. Our God is a consuming fire. So there's the sweet enticement and then there's the severe warning, both in the same chapter. The Life of Faith….so-called “Hall of Faith” (11:1-40) And then you have Chapter 11, the hall of faith. Faith is to find the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen, the importance of faith has told us that without faith it's impossible to please God. Because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. And then you have whole examples of the life of faith, from Abel offering up his sacrifice, Enoch who walked with God, Noah who built an ark, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, these patriarchs who were living in tents but looking ahead to a city with foundations, whose builder and maker is God, right through Moses, Moses' parents, then Moses who lived by faith, and all of these heroes of faith; even the judges, some of the judges, Samson is mentioned, what a surprise, but there he is. Samson mentioned, right? In the hall of faith, a man of faith, who trusted God, who conquered kingdoms. It says, "These heroes of faith, who women received back their dead raised to life again." People, men and women of faith, and so clearly the author is saying, "Okay, you've got this cloud of witnesses around you, then let's run the race like they did." Let's run the race with endurance, filled with faith. God Working in Us a Life Pleasing to Him (12:1-13:25) And if you should falter, just know that your heavenly Father will just give you a spanking, that's all. He'll just discipline you, because He punishes every child that he receives and scourges them, but He's never going to let you go. He's got hold of you now, you're a child, the son and daughter of the living God. And if you need a spanking, He'll give you one. He may just warn you, He may convict you, He may do other things, but He's not going to let you go, and so therefore live for His glory, because we're not coming to that old covenant mountain and shaking in blood and thunder and lightning, but we're coming to the New Jerusalem, Mt Zion, the heavenly kingdom where we get to see God. We're surrounded by spirits of righteous men made perfect and angels and heavenly array, that's where we're going, and so, therefore, let's live a life of faith to the glory of God. Friends, that's the best I can do in 45 minutes summarizing the whole book. Thankfully, we're going to have time to go back over it. The central lesson is this. Jesus, the Son of God, the superior mediator, has brought to us a covenant that saves our souls, and if you allow by faith Jesus to minister that to you, it's going to pour out in a whole new kind of living, and part of that is going to be running a race with endurance, it's going to be hard to run, and we are here in this body of Christ to help you run it and you help each other, we help each other as we run this race and why? So that God can be glorified in our full salvation. Close with me in prayer.

It is said that Pheidippides, an Athenian herald, was sent to Sparta to request help when the Persians landed at Marathon, running 150 miles in just two days. After this, he then ran another 25 miles from the battlefield near the town of Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory over Persia in the Battle of Marathon with the word "Νενικήκαμεν", meaning 'We have won'. He then collapsed and died on the spot due to exhaustion.Many years later; in the town of Sheffield, we find ourselves focused on the adventures of a very unfit man trying to complete his first ever Marathon. He’s only just started and already he’s thinking about catching a bus...