A Marathon of Double Standards...

[Bluesteel]

Ok, so a young guy died after running the London Marathon.

News reports are full of sorrow and regret, and ‘isn’t so terrible’ and the like.

This annoys me.

This guy chose to train and run in the Marathon, he also chose to carry on when it was suspected it would happen on one of the hottest days in the event’s history.

So, why aren’t all the liberal newspaper columnists screeching from their soap boxes about how the Marathon is dangerous, and shouldn’t be allowed to continue? How it’s against health and safety, and how it’s dangerous to all who partake?

…Just like they did when Richmond Hammond crashed his jet car.

Same set of idealisations: the desire to partake in an adrenaline filled activity, because it’s something an individual wants to achieve for themselves.

Ridiculous and an example of total hypocrisy.

Discuss

[Baph]

…Just like they did when Richmond Hammond crashed his jet car.
Discuss
The Marathon also generates a lot of money for charities. The media can't be seen saying that's a bad thing.

Hammond's crash generated money for the air ambulance, granted, but if he hadn't of crashed, then the air ambulance wouldn't of got the money.

[Bluesteel]

The Marathon also generates a lot of money for charities. The media can't be seen saying that's a bad thing.

Hammond's crash generated money for the air ambulance, granted, but if he hadn't of crashed, then the air ambulance wouldn't of got the money.

Don't get me started on Charities... The media can say what they like, they just pick and choose their cause.

The fact remains that it's a stupid idea to jog round London for miles on end on a baking hot day...

Just like it's a stupid idea to try an attempt 300mph in a jet car...

So why the special treatment.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

...liberal newspaper...

Ah, the word liberty. Liberty, as in freedom. How a bunch of left wing loonies who want to stop everyone from doing everything can be considered in the least bit liberal escapes me completely. Shoot the lot of em I say.

Liberty. A word that's lost it's meaning.

[fizzwheel]

The fact remains that it's a stupid idea to jog round London for miles on end on a baking hot day...

No its not, as long as you have trained and prepared properly and take in plenty of fluid / fuel etc then I dont see what the problem is.

Just like it's a stupid idea to try an attempt 300mph in a jet car...

It might be, but I'd bet you'd like to give it a try given the chance.

[Filipe M.]

It's also a stupid idea to go round on a tandem-wheeled vehicle without any kind of crash protection other than a plastic bucket on your head and some plastic pieces on your joints, yet we do it everyday... :roll:

[tricky]

According to the legend, Phidippides died after running the first one.
They should have banned them then if you ask me.

[sarah]

It's also a stupid idea to go round on a tandem-wheeled vehicle without any kind of crash protection other than a plastic bucket on your head and some plastic pieces on your joints, yet we do it everyday... :roll:

some people don't even wear any crash protection on their joints :(

[Ed]

I think you have the wrong end of the stick. Yes of course it's a tragedy, yes of course it's a shame and so on. But this is no more than any reasonable person would say about such a happening.

Running a marathon is not intrinsically dangerous, thousands do one every year, not just in England either. And many run longer distances still, 50km (a marathon is 42km) or even 100km. As long as you're fit, properly trained and hydrated, what's the problem? I don't think the results of a post mortem have been published but for all I know the bloke could as well have died whilst running for the bus.

Why is it that people feel that they can't make a statement of regret without thinking that it necessarily implies acceptance of blame? And why is it that so many interpret an expression of regret as an acceptance of blame?

TBH I don't see your point.

[sarah]

Ah, the word liberty. Liberty, as in freedom. How a bunch of left wing loonies who want to stop everyone from doing everything can be considered in the least bit liberal escapes me completely. Shoot the lot of em I say.

Liberty. A word that's lost it's meaning.

you are getting confused between libertarianism/authoritarianism (social) and left/right (economic)

this (http://www.politicalcompass.org/index)explains it quite well imho

[Tzindo]

I cant help thinking that this is yet another example of the media selling stories that appeal to the people that want them. Given the odds, in terms of numbers who entered, and given the facts that death is a reality (we all die) why is it so important to hear about this kind of stuff. In my opinion its the usual sensationalist garbage that the media in this country love to generate and will be forgotten about in the two week window to the world that is "the media."

Don't care to know about the facts here, its just not important enough to know.

[keithd]

i think marathons aren't as long these days. not as long as they were in the 70's when i was a kid

and i think you'll find they've been re-branded as Snickers

I hope you find the above information of use to yourself(ves)

[rictus01]

another opinion from a slighty different perspective, I've no idea whether this guy was a "fun runner" or serious athlete, but having done a lot of these things in my youth at world class standard, there is the personal goal angle,achieving that which is just beyond your reach, when you're talking about physical endurance then you're talking about using everything your body has to give and getting to the stage of your mind driving it beyond, yes you are damaging yourself, but it's a choice the difference between winning and not, sure you don't mean to kill yourself or anything like that, but you do become very single minded, it's called focus and all good atheles have it and it can kill, I've seen people cross the line and collapse and need CPR on more than one occasion.

Think of it this way, what makes a great GP bike rider ? after all they have basically the same bikes, tyres on the same track as everyone else? sure there's skill involved, but the big one is focus, the one who takes the risk, he's the one who either wins or goes down in flames trying.

Just a different perspective, no right or wrong, it's just in some and not others :smt102

Cheers Mark.

[DanDare]

I haven't seen the press kicking off about this poor chap at all.

Granted they've said someones died, which is sad in its self, but nowhere have I heard calls to ban the marathon.

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[Viney]

I couldnt run a bath!

[Bluesteel]

I haven't seen the press kicking off about this poor chap at all.

Granted they've said someones died, which is sad in its self, but nowhere have I heard calls to ban the marathon.

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

The press haven't kicked off, that's my point.

Yet they did when Hammond choose to pursue his own goals, by pushing his own boundaries.

I'm bored of being villified because I like things with engines.

[rictus01]

I couldnt run a bath!

Hey one up on me, I can't even walk properly :p

[muffles]

I thought the point here was that Hammond's jet car run was criticised but the marathon wasn't, and that it was the wrong thing to do regarding the jet car crash, not that it was the wrong thing to not criticise the marathon.

Sounds like most posts think the original post is criticising the marathon rather than the jet car crash?? :confused:

[Steve H]

Can't they just ban Richard Hammond from the tellie? :toss:

[DanDare]

Can't they just ban Richard Hammond from the tellie? :toss:

What's wrong with the Hamster???

He is also a fellow biker!

[hovis]

i just done my first marathan it took my 5 hours (over 5 days 1 hour a day)

:smt036

[Flamin_Squirrel]

you are getting confused between libertarianism/authoritarianism (social) and left/right (economic)

this (http://www.politicalcompass.org/index)explains it quite well imho

I'm not getting confused. It just happens that those who'd describe themselves as the 'liberal' (as opposed to authoritarian) left are often far from liberal.

[skint]

The two situations are quite different. If you are going to jump in a 300mph car and try to drive to the limit the probability of it going pear shaped is pretty high Your risk and please can I have a go but in all fairness many would say its irresponsible, they may also say that motorcycling is irresponsible too and for those who baulk at the idea of dicing with death their view may be quite valid. Hence the media attention with Hammond - hero of ours he may be.

However when you enter to do a marathon in the main I suspect the last thing you expect is to die. I've done a few half marathons and the only thoughts I had was the embaassment of not finishing or having to ask St Johns for some vaseline!! You might even wonder where you left your car but consider that you might die - I don't think so. Irresponsible - only in very extreme cases such as your 10 stone overweight and never trained in your life, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

It isn't really that hard to see why the media and most others for that matter will act differently to the two cited events.

If you were comparing a formula one car crash as tragic but a motGP crash as foolish then I could see your point. But your comparison, I'm afraid just doesn't work. IMVHO

[neio79]

Running a marathon is not intrinsically dangerous, thousands do one every year, not just in England either. And many run longer distances still, 50km (a marathon is 42km) or even 100km. As long as you're fit, properly trained and hydrated, what's the problem? TBH I don't see your point.

Wow a first, i agree with Ed!!

back that 100% as long as you are properly trained a marathon is not a problem. Its not a stupid ideato run 26miles either. And lets face it it was not that hot really, i find 23ish deg C a comrertable temp to run in. Although i am wierd and prefer hot weather. i used to go running in Iraq in up to 40 Deg heat, always took lots of water in a hydration pack though. think i must have been a lizard in a previouse life.

Bottom line is as long as you are sensible and take on fluids. You are going to be fine. Although too many fluids can kill as well. the body cant get rid quickly enough so it starts storing it around the body and one of the first places it goes is around the brain, causing seriouse problems. If i remember rightly that is part of the reason why Leah betts died with E, overcompensated for the dehydration effects.

He might have had something wrong with him that that sort of exertion brough on?

[Bluesteel]

Blah blah blah, marathons are great, it's nice to be fit, go for the burn: I get it.

However, there is a case for the safety junkies to say that all this running around lark puts unnecessary strain on our bodies, and we should all stop doing it. Just like having a bloody good laugh hooning around about on a bike or jet car or bicycle, with the fair chance of ending up in a big, broken, bloody pile is bad for us too.

And as for people being sensible, you can't account for everyone. Fun things have always been stopped because of the few people who aren't sensible and exceed their abilities (you'd probably call them W**kers Neio, or something else with expletives).

I don't see the difference between different types of (more) extreme activity. One man's marathon is another man's 48 hour drug-fuelled dance-athon. I am frustrated by the way we (are told to?) see some things as more acceptable.

I am young. I will get over it.

[muffles]

The two situations are quite different. If you are going to jump in a 300mph car and try to drive to the limit the probability of it going pear shaped is pretty high Your risk and please can I have a go but in all fairness many would say its irresponsible, they may also say that motorcycling is irresponsible too and for those who baulk at the idea of dicing with death their view may be quite valid. Hence the media attention with Hammond - hero of ours he may be.

However when you enter to do a marathon in the main I suspect the last thing you expect is to die. I've done a few half marathons and the only thoughts I had was the embaassment of not finishing or having to ask St Johns for some vaseline!! You might even wonder where you left your car but consider that you might die - I don't think so. Irresponsible - only in very extreme cases such as your 10 stone overweight and never trained in your life, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

It isn't really that hard to see why the media and most others for that matter will act differently to the two cited events.

If you were comparing a formula one car crash as tragic but a motGP crash as foolish then I could see your point. But your comparison, I'm afraid just doesn't work. IMVHO

I guess the bit I disagree with is just that as long as Hammond wasn't endangering other people, I don't think it was irresponsible.

Btw was 300mph actually the limit of the car? I was just thinking, it could have been well within it's limits, iirc it was a freak accident - tyre blowout - that caused the crash.

The guy dying was probably also a freak occurrence, as you say it isn't exactly that dangerous to run a marathon...?

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Blah blah blah, marathons are great, it's nice to be fit, go for the burn: I get it.

However, there is a case for the safety junkies to say that all this running around lark puts unnecessary strain on our bodies, and we should all stop doing it. Just like having a bloody good laugh hooning around about on a bike or jet car or bicycle, with the fair chance of ending up in a big, broken, bloody pile is bad for us too.

And as for people being sensible, you can't account for everyone. Fun things have always been stopped because of the few people who aren't sensible and exceed their abilities (you'd probably call them W**kers Neio, or something else with expletives).

I don't see the difference between different types of (more) extreme activity. One man's marathon is another man's 48 hour drug-fuelled dance-athon. I am frustrated by the way we (are told to?) see some things as more acceptable.

I am young. I will get over it.

I agree.

Sadly it would seem that vast proportions of the population feel that they should be able to dictate how other people live their lives as if they were preaching some kind of universal moral truth, when it is in fact just their opinion

[skint]

I agree.

Sadly it would seem that vast proportions of the population feel that they should be able to dictate how other people live their lives as if they were preaching some kind of universal moral truth, when it is in fact just their opinion


It is indeed opinion. but the thread was to consider the suggested double standard of the press. In this case (IMO) the cases cited are chalk and cheese. But in any event I can't imagine why there is any apparent upset here - really, did anyone actually expect a newspaper to print anything worthwhile, honest and objective? :jocolor: :rolleyes:

[neio79]

[quote=Bluesteel;1169954]And as for people being sensible, you can't account for everyone. Fun things have always been stopped because of the few people who aren't sensible and exceed their abilities (you'd probably call them W**kers Neio, or something else with expletives).
[quote]

Thats a bit harsh mate:( I have never had anything against anyone having fun, people do what they want and should enjoy themselves. Yep some people exceed their limits .does not make tham a w**ker, just unfortunate if it goes wrong .

[neio79]

Bluesteel,

Did you want them to run a bit in the paper saying that the marathon should be called off because it is dangerous etc etc just so you could start a thread arguing against it, and how bad it is we are told to stop doing this or that?

[skint]

[quote=Bluesteel;1169954]And as for people being sensible, you can't account for everyone. Fun things have always been stopped because of the few people who aren't sensible and exceed their abilities (you'd probably call them W**kers Neio, or something else with expletives).
[quote]

Thats a bit harsh mate:( I have never had anything against anyone having fun, people do what they want and should enjoy themselves. Yep some people exceed their limits .does not make tham a w**ker, just unfortunate if it goes wrong .

Ouch! Why did you deserve that N? Just driving from Thatcham to Newbury VFR pulled a nice wheelie from the lights. I thought if I tried that I'd be exceeding my limits - someone would be bound to say 'what a...':smt082

[Ed]

Bluesteel,

Did you want them to run a bit in the paper saying that the marathon should be called off because it is dangerous etc etc just so you could start a thread arguing against it, and how bad it is we are told to stop doing this or that?


BH it must be raining upwards. Not only does neio agree with me - I agree with him. I had the same thoughts TBH.

[neio79]

BH it must be raining upwards. Not only does neio agree with me - I agree with him. I had the same thoughts TBH.

be jesus, what a strange day it is today indeed!! LOL :smt082