I'm a big fan of Marathons. I love to run them! They are just over 26 miles and are exhilarating. 
I commend you for your dedication.  How long do you have to train for a marathon?
It usually takes me some time to train, but on top of it being an aerobic activity it's also something that requires a lot of mental strength and stamina.
I can imagine.  When did people start running marathons?
Well, it was one of the original Olympic events in 1896, so they have been around for quite a long time. The distance didn't become standardized until 1921.
I wonder why they settled on 26 miles?  Is there any significance to that number?
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance race with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres (approximately 26 miles 385 yards), usually run as a road race. The event was instituted in commemoration of the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens, who reported the victory. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There are also wheelchair divisions.
The marathon was one of the original modern Olympic events in 1896, though the
Joshua. I'm a big fan from Southern Cal. Really diggin' on your new scene. That's why I hope you don't mind when I got your new demos for your new CD, I had to sing parts on them and send them to you as a tribute. I hope you're not mad about me also uploading them onto the Internet. But hell, it seems like you guys are so cool that you might dig something just like that. Sincerely, your fan, Joshua M. Homme. P.S.