Addressing a couple problems with treadmill runners, newbie marathoners

Are you're one of those iPod-wearing treadmill runners? Or are you one of those impatient newbies who think it's a good idea to "run" a marathon after just a few months of training because it's on everyone's "to do" list.

If so, you may want to stop reading now. I'm about to make you angry.

Eight days ago, I drove to Watch Hill to do my weekly barefoot beach run (I wear two pairs of wool socks in the winter). It was cold and windy but I never considered running indoors. I hate treadmills and can count on one hand the times I've run on them. And I hated every step.

After a warmup on the roads, I spent the next 40 minutes running from Watch Hill to Misquamicut and back. It was crystal-clear day, the water was a shade of almost Caribbean blue-green and there were small waves rolling in. The sand was soft and dry. You could see Block Island and a passing tanker in the distance. There aren't many places to run that are as beautiful as this.

And I had the whole place to myself.

Even though it was just Jan. 20, I knew this run would be one of my best of the year.

A few minutes after I finished, I stopped at the Ocean Community YMCA in Westerly to lift some weights. As I walked in, there they were: three long rows of people, shoulder to shoulder on the treadmills. They had their iPods on and stared straight ahead at the bank of flat-screen televisions showing ESPN, CNN, Regis and Kelly and other morning fare.

Not only were these people missing out on some great scenery just a few miles way, they were missing out on one of the most important parts of running: the ability to get away from the world for a few minutes.

Instead, they had chosen to breathe in stale air and remain plugged in to their television shows, music, computers and cell phones like they do the other 23 hours of the day.

What's even worse, even on the nicest days of the year many of them stay inside. I don't get it. Maybe some of you treadmillers can explain it to me.

Better yet, go outside. You might like it. After all, running is an outdoor sport.

As far as marathons go, have you seen the great full-page ad that Pearl Izumi has in running magazines this winter. There must have been some interesting discussions before the company decided to go ahead and use it. But I love it.

The title is "The marathon is a race to be run, not a box to be checked."

Here's what the copy says:

"The early mornings. The screaming muscles. The countless miles. When you add them up, the sacrifices made by the marathoners who came before us are humbling. And yet look at how we've tarnished their legacy.

"Somewhere along the line, the marathon became less of a competitive sport and more of a line item on a bucket list. Now don't get us wrong. Running in a marathon is a good thing. In fact, it's a great thing. But we can all dig a little deeper and honor the marathon by treating it more like a race and less like a check box. So next time you're toeing the line, respect the marathon. Run like an animal."

I couldn't agree more. There was a time when most runners wanted to get faster in the marathon, not just finish one. Breaking three hours or 2:50 was no big deal. Lots of people did it because that was the only way you could run in Boston. Now, some people who have the ability to do better, do the run/walk thing and say they run a marathon. And this is not about being fast or slow, its about effort.

So if you're going to run a marathon, make sure you've put in the time and effort. Respect the race. You'll find it rewarding.

Joe Wojtas is The Day's running columnist.