I’ve run two marathons. I’ve got the Iron Butt certifications for Saddlesore and Bun Burner rides. I do at least 24-hour livestream charity show every year. All three events are often called “marathons” although they don’t have a lot in common. Every now and then I’ll get the question “Which is the most difficult?”
Marathons. Hands down, it’s running marathons.
Here’s the thing. Gaming marathons basically just require staying awake throughout the night. There’s definitely the witching hour around 5am where I want to just pack it in and go to sleep, but sitting in a chair and playing video games isn’t really all that physically demanding.
Distance motorcycling requires a fair bit of up front planning, physical endurance, and even more mental endurance to deal with a lot of long hours on a motorcycle while still riding safely. I believe that a certain amount of physical training to keep your body sharp is helpful, but it’s hardly a requirement.
Marathoning requires a pretty extensive training commitment. Months of four and five-day a week training, then the actual race, where somewhere twenty or twenty-two miles in you can probably count on your body just wanting to quit. It’s hugely physical, but also hugely mental to find a reason to keep going.
Not that I’m going to stop participating in any of these challenges. In fact, I’d love to do more of them. If only I could find the time.