A shot of scotch
November 7, 2016 3:36 PM Subscribe
"As a bomber pilot in the Marines, Jonathan Mendes flew more than 100 missions in World War II and then more than 70 missions in the Korean War. He trained John Glenn and Ted Williams. " Yesterday, Jonathan became the last and oldest finisher of the New York City Marathon.
Oh man, this is incredible. With the news of the NYC marathon of course I was thinking, hey, I should run a marathon (despite being incredibly out of shape and over weight). And then I started thinking further. It takes an elite runner about 2h15m to run a marathon. I'll just run a maximum of say 3.5h and see if I can work my way up to a distance approaching a marathon. I'm not going to be some schmo out there for six or seven hours just trying to finish a marathon. Mr. Mendes puts me to shame.
posted by sockpup at 4:40 PM on November 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by sockpup at 4:40 PM on November 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
sockpup, my first marathon was 5:50 (Disney, 2012). While it sucked because I trained so badly, a slow marathon when you are well trained can be excellent and life-altering.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:45 PM on November 7, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:45 PM on November 7, 2016 [4 favorites]
Jonathan.
posted by Sys Rq at 4:53 PM on November 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Sys Rq at 4:53 PM on November 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Ooh rah!
posted by endotoxin at 5:18 PM on November 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by endotoxin at 5:18 PM on November 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
Great story! (But it's Semper fi, not “Sempre fi.”)
posted by languagehat at 5:29 PM on November 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by languagehat at 5:29 PM on November 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
In that order of course. A shot of whiskey and a good companion. The man knows.
posted by AugustWest at 6:33 PM on November 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by AugustWest at 6:33 PM on November 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Nice header roomseventeen.
Buying scotch will help me catch up, right?
No, but it will help at finish after post shakedown. I saw the header, wrote down the type of scotch, then read the article.
After a bombing mission during WW2 (don't know about Korea) at de-brief, Dixie cups and Johnny Walker were handed out first to calm nerves but it was the symbolism. My uncles first drink was JW Black in a Dixie cup, he had two more. I might also coming back with flak holes the size of saucers and the left tire blowing out on landing.
Huzzah!
posted by clavdivs at 6:34 PM on November 7, 2016 [5 favorites]
Buying scotch will help me catch up, right?
No, but it will help at finish after post shakedown. I saw the header, wrote down the type of scotch, then read the article.
After a bombing mission during WW2 (don't know about Korea) at de-brief, Dixie cups and Johnny Walker were handed out first to calm nerves but it was the symbolism. My uncles first drink was JW Black in a Dixie cup, he had two more. I might also coming back with flak holes the size of saucers and the left tire blowing out on landing.
Huzzah!
posted by clavdivs at 6:34 PM on November 7, 2016 [5 favorites]
Going to the NYC marathon is inspiring because it shows you that ANYONE can do a marathon. Young, old, all levels of ability, put your mind to it and you can do it! I saw a lady with some sort of crutch/cane thing zooming right along. So awesome!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:38 PM on November 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:38 PM on November 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'll just run a maximum of say 3.5h and see if I can work my way up to a distance approaching a marathon. I'm not going to be some schmo out there for six or seven hours just trying to finish a marathon. Mr. Mendes puts me to shame.
Marathon training never integrates marathon distances. You only run a marathon, at the marathon. It's really rough on your body. Work up to long runs and make sure they fit your level. Note in that second link: "If you’re a first-time marathon runner, you should probably only do one run that's as long as 20 miles." This is a good summary too: Should I train for and run a marathon? Spoiler: "It's best to be running for at least six months (one year is better) before you start training for a marathon."
If you're not already running regularly, start a run-walk program like C25K (Couch to 5K). Once you've got that under your belt, work up to a 10K. If your body's okay with that – not all bodies are! – then try out semi-marathon training. Trust me: getting to a 5K is an awesome feeling. Working up to 10K is awesome as well. You'll get plenty of runner's high and love the health benefits.
You've got to go slow. Aerobic endurance takes time and having a strong foundation is the best thing you can do.
posted by fraula at 1:50 AM on November 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
Marathon training never integrates marathon distances. You only run a marathon, at the marathon. It's really rough on your body. Work up to long runs and make sure they fit your level. Note in that second link: "If you’re a first-time marathon runner, you should probably only do one run that's as long as 20 miles." This is a good summary too: Should I train for and run a marathon? Spoiler: "It's best to be running for at least six months (one year is better) before you start training for a marathon."
If you're not already running regularly, start a run-walk program like C25K (Couch to 5K). Once you've got that under your belt, work up to a 10K. If your body's okay with that – not all bodies are! – then try out semi-marathon training. Trust me: getting to a 5K is an awesome feeling. Working up to 10K is awesome as well. You'll get plenty of runner's high and love the health benefits.
You've got to go slow. Aerobic endurance takes time and having a strong foundation is the best thing you can do.
posted by fraula at 1:50 AM on November 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
After a bombing mission during WW2 (don't know about Korea) at de-brief, Dixie cups and Johnny Walker were handed out first to calm nerves but it was the symbolism.
From a whisky perspective this is a fascinating detail. Back in 1967 a bunch of British climbers scaled the previously unclimbed Old Man of Hoy - there is a great documentary that was shot at the time and which features two climbers perched half way up - (23 mins in) settling down for the night after a hauled up meal comprising 2 large steaks and an entire bottle of whisky. I kind of miss that attitude in these days of sports drinks and gels. But maybe Mendes could upgrade to a single malt for his next marathon.
posted by rongorongo at 4:06 AM on November 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
From a whisky perspective this is a fascinating detail. Back in 1967 a bunch of British climbers scaled the previously unclimbed Old Man of Hoy - there is a great documentary that was shot at the time and which features two climbers perched half way up - (23 mins in) settling down for the night after a hauled up meal comprising 2 large steaks and an entire bottle of whisky. I kind of miss that attitude in these days of sports drinks and gels. But maybe Mendes could upgrade to a single malt for his next marathon.
posted by rongorongo at 4:06 AM on November 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
But maybe Mendes could upgrade to a single malt...
There is nothing wrong with a good blend. Not one thing.
Well done, Mendes. Very well done, indeed.
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:27 AM on November 8, 2016
There is nothing wrong with a good blend. Not one thing.
Well done, Mendes. Very well done, indeed.
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:27 AM on November 8, 2016
But maybe Mendes could upgrade to a single malt...
There is nothing wrong with a good blend. Not one thing.
Yeah, my first thought was "really? A mid-tier Johnny Walker is the best he could do?", and then my second thought was "the ninety-six year old ex-marine who just ran a marathon can drink whatever the hell he so chooses."
posted by Itaxpica at 6:40 AM on November 8, 2016 [6 favorites]
There is nothing wrong with a good blend. Not one thing.
Yeah, my first thought was "really? A mid-tier Johnny Walker is the best he could do?", and then my second thought was "the ninety-six year old ex-marine who just ran a marathon can drink whatever the hell he so chooses."
posted by Itaxpica at 6:40 AM on November 8, 2016 [6 favorites]
Actually anyone can drink whatever the hell they choose, but he's definitely included in that.
posted by howfar at 7:15 AM on November 8, 2016
posted by howfar at 7:15 AM on November 8, 2016
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