Celebrity Marathon

During a race, runners do a lot of different things to keep up their motivation. Making up a mantra ("My legs are strong, my legs are strong"), visualizing the next water point, even signing your favorite Christmas carol in your head, are all examples of taking your mind off the pain that ensues during a long race.

I've tried all of the above to keep my brain on the positive side, but I've found that what works best for me is a good conversation. When Rachel and I run together I really enjoy our talks. Sometimes I ask way too many questions and I see Rachel gasping for her breath. On the plus side, this offers me leverage to get on my soap box for 20 or 30 minutes (this also can annoy her). But more often than not, we talk during our walk breaks and this is just fine by me.

The inspiration for this post actually came last weekend when Josh and I were running in the Smokies. He told me an astonshing fact: "I heard that Will Ferrell ran the Boston Marathon and did really well". Me: "Seroiusly?" I thought this week about what other famous celebrities have completed a marathon. Below is an abbreviated list of celebrities. Enjoy.

Lance Armstrong - NYC 2006 (2:46:42)

Dana Carvey - Ocean to Bay 1972 (3:04:21)

Scott Bakula - Rock 'n' Roll 2004 (4:08:34)

George W. Bush - Houston 1993 (3:44:52)

Sean Combs - NYC 2004 (4:14:54)

Will Ferrell - Boston 2003 (3:56:12)

Al Gore - Marine Corps 1997 (4:58:57)

Katie Holmes - NYC 2007 (5:29:58)

Justin Leonard (golfer) - Dallas 2001 (3:54:40)

Ed Norton - NYC 2009 (3:48:01)

Oprah Winfrey - Marie Corps 1994 (4:29:20)

Chad Sievers - Knoxville 2010 (To be determined)


I had to put me in with this group (and you know you're jealous of the Flame shirt). I don't have a time goal in mind, but I think I can beat Katie Holmes. I think a realistic goal is somewhere in the Scott Bakula range. Lance and Dana are way out of my league.