"Yeah, I can bench about 350"

[EpyonXero]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/...marathon-claim

Fact Check: Paul Ryan Exaggerates Marathon Claim


Correction: the Runner's World calculator discussed below is used for training purposes. A pace calculator estimates that Ryan would have needed to run at about 6:50 per mile to complete a marathon in 2:59.

Our original post:

Last week, Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan claimed he'd accomplished an athletic feat: He had run a marathon in under three hours. The claim came during an interview on radio host Hugh Hewitt's program.

"H[ugh] H[ewitt]: Are you still running?

P[aul] R[yan]: Yeah, I hurt a disc in my back, so I don't run marathons anymore. I just run ten miles or yes.

HH: But you did run marathons at some point?

PR: Yeah, but I can't do it anymore, because my back is just not that great.

HH: I've just gotta ask, what's your personal best?

PR: Under three, high twos. I had a two hour and fifty-something.

HH: Holy smokes. All right, now you go down to Miami University ...

PR: I was fast when I was younger, yeah."
A "sub-3:00" marathon? The congressman is known for his athletic prowess, but that's still a blistering pace. According to a nifty calculator on the Runner's World website, in order to complete a marathon in, say, 2:59, the calculator suggests Ryan ran a mile in 5 minutes, 37 seconds on average. Then he'd have to sustain that pace for 26.2 miles.

The speed is so fast that Runner's World checked his claim — and couldn't find it. It did locate one marathon he participated in: "Grandma's Marathon" in Duluth, Minn., on June 23, 1990.

He finished in 4 hours, 1 minute and 25 seconds.

Friday, a spokesman for Ryan told the magazine the Republican vice presidential candidate has indeed run just one marathon. And, Ryan issued this statement:

"The race was more than 20 years ago, but my brother Tobin — who ran Boston last year — reminds me that he is the owner of the fastest marathon in the family and has never himself ran a sub-three. If I were to do any rounding, it would certainly be to four hours, not three. He gave me a good ribbing over this at dinner tonight."
Runners posting on the Runner's World website are outraged: Many are listing their own PR (personal records) with date and marathon name.

Incidentally, Ryan's marathon time is a little bit slower than former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the previous GOP vice presidential candidate. Her marathon personal record is 3:59:36.

Tags: Runner's World, Rep. Paul Ryan

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[pauldun170]

I banged out a sub-3hr marathon too.
Having a car really helps

[derf]

Heh this is a non issue scandal to me, the guy misspoke our forgot our something, it was 20 years ago

[OneSickPsycho]

Well, Gary Johnson climbed Everest... and he actually did.

[fatbuckRTO]

Originally Posted by derf

Heh this is a non issue scandal to me, the guy misspoke our forgot our something, it was 20 years ago

Near as I can tell, Ryan misspoke or forgot his entire speech. I suppose, at least, that makes him a good match for Romney...

[EpyonXero]

Originally Posted by derf

Heh this is a non issue scandal to me, the guy misspoke our forgot our something, it was 20 years ago

Im not a runner but my friends who do marathons say you never forget your personal best.

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by EpyonXero

Im not a runner but my friends who do marathons say you never forget your personal best.

Well, it does say he only ran one, so he can be forgiven for not knowing what the time was (since he probably DNF'd or got such a shitty time that it wasn't worth remembering).

But, what he should have done is admit that he only ran one. Not say "oh yeah, I used to run marathons, but don't do it anymore" like as if he was ever seriously into them in the first place.

Poser.

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by EpyonXero

Im not a runner but my friends who do marathons say you never forget your personal best.

Yup

Something like; what's your first bike?

[EpyonXero]

Originally Posted by azoomm

Yup

Something like; what's your first bike?

Or who was your best hookup You dont forget that.

[JoJoYZF]

Originally Posted by EpyonXero

Im not a runner but my friends who do marathons say you never forget your personal best.

I've never ran a marathon but running track and cross country through high school, I can still tell you my best 800, 1600, 5k, etc, and I graduated in 2004.

That point aside, I think its stupid that he lied about it, but far from the worst lie I've heard from a politician.