People losing their damn minds #12

David Aaronovitch has just completed a marathon. He informs us that he "can hardly move". He should consider himself lucky - the first guy to do it dropped dead immediately after. He had the excuse of a) having no historical example of a guy running twenty-six miles and then dropping dead immediately after to work with as a reference point, b) having an urgent message to deliver.

Today, the justifications appear altogether less convincing. It usually has something to do with proving something to yourself and raising money for charity. I think the two should be separated: with regards the latter, just explain what it's for, and I'll consider searching behind the sofa; the former, on the other hand, is not behaviour I feel I should be seen to endorse. For running marathons is unbridled lunacy.

David Aaronovitch: Looking every part the mean and moody, yet amused in an existentialist sort of way, long-distance runner. May have lost his damn mind.

Update: Further confirmation of the connection between marathon-running and losing of the damn mind.