Marathons are hard but fun, I have said it a couple of times and will continue to do so. However, the reason for this blog is not to comment on my experience doing a marathon. Instead, I would like to discuss how doing a running race, at the end of the early season, can fit in the overall year plan of a triathlete, something that many athletes seem to do but that can have severe repercussions if done improperly. First, let's examine what race should an athlete do. Personally,