Sir, – Further to Prof Niall Moyna’s article on the dangers of endurance events (“If you’re considering an Ironman, marathon or triathlon, read this first”, Opinion & Analysis, August 26th), for many people, completing a marathon or triathlon can be a lifelong goal, and competitors are quite prepared to suffer some dehydration, cramp, nausea, etc, to achieve this goal.
It is true there are dangers with excessive exercise, and there will always be those few whose endurance experience turns into tragedy.
But rather than ring alarm bells and throw doubt on our dreams even before we start with disheartening warnings like “moderation is the key”, what about some acknowledgement of those who believe that moderation rarely leads to those little moments of madness that we remember with pride and talk about for years.
As with everything, moderation isn’t usually the key to the joyous feeling of huge achievement or surpassing expectations.
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What about reminding readers of some of the reasons why competitors choose to compete in endurance events, despite the risk of discomfort, some pain or even illness: to push boundaries, find new limits, discover who they are, prove doubters wrong, experience the thrill of just doing something hard, and – at whatever age they’re at – make their lives just a little bit less ordinary?
HELEN CASSIDY,
Castledawson,
Co Derry.
