6 Days till the Pig--In Honor of Aergia

As I was walking yesterday, I was giving the story of the original marathon some thought.

From Wikipedia (and we all know it's always accurate!): 

The traditional story relates that Pheidippides (530 BC–490 BC), an Athenian herald, was sent to Sparta to request help when the Persians landed at Marathon, Greece.

He ran 240 km (150 miles) in two days. He then ran the 40 km (25 miles) from the battlefield near the town of Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory over Persia in the Battle of Marathon (490 BC) with the word "Νενικήκαμεν" (Nenikékamen, 'We have won') and collapsed and died on the spot because of exhaustion.

...Robert Browning gave a version of the traditional story in his 1879 poem Pheidippides.

    So, when Persia was dust, all cried, "To Acropolis!

    Run, Pheidippides, one race more! the meed is thy due!

    Athens is saved, thank Pan, go shout!" He flung down his shield

    Ran like fire once more: and the space 'twixt the fennel-field

    And Athens was stubble again, a field which a fire runs through,

    Till in he broke: "Rejoice, we conquer!" Like wine through clay,

    Joy in his blood bursting his heart, - the bliss!

("Fennel-field" is a reference to the Greek word for fennel, marathon, the origin of the name of the battlefield.)

Hmmm...very interesting if it's true.  I think there are a few things we can learn from this.

First, running is bad for you.  In fact, running a lot results in death.  This is good to note!

Secondly, being the messenger usually results in death somehow, even if it's good news.  Also good to note.

Thirdly, marathon is Greek for fennel, which has no relevance to anything, but I just think that's a cool thing to know.

Fourthly, Wikipedia doesn't mention it, but I have it on good authority that there was another, lesser-known Greek person involved in this story, named Aergia.  She was a friend of Pheidippides, and they were both pretty darn excited about the victory over the Persians.  

So they decided to travel together to tell the good news.  Only Aergia wasn't quite as motivated as Pheidippides.  In fact, after about 3 miles, she began to get annoyed with him.  He wouldn't stop when she needed to use the restroom.  He kept yelling at her to pick up the pace. 

After about 6.55 miles, Aergia had decided she'd had enough.  They were close to a village, and she told Pheidippides, "Keep going if you want to.  I want some ouzo."  (Only she said that all in Greek, obviously.)  

Of course Pheidippides kept running, self-important prig that he was.  Aergia, however, stopped to enjoy a quick drink and a meal (and a well-deserved potty break).  Then she turned around and headed back to the encampment.


Today, the legend of Aergia motivates and inspires half-marathoners everywhere!  And, so, when I walk on Sunday, it will be with the legend of Aergia in my mind, motivating me when I want to keep going on to 14 miles, slowing me down when I feel the urge to speed up, convincing me that one more potty break is definitely justified, and warming the cockles of my heart when I think about the steak I plan on eating afterwards.  Remember, Aergia went on to live a long and full life.  Pheidippides died.  As in, heart-exploded-drop-dead died.