Since retiring from a career as a professional hockey player in September 2022, Zdeno Chara, the former Bruins captain and tallest player in NHL history at 6 feet, 9 inches, hasn’t called it quits on all sports.
Despite his gargantuan stature, Chara has found a new passion in running and endurance sports and has been remarkably successful at that.
After just three months of training, Chara took on his first running challenge at the 2023 Boston Marathon.
3:38:23 for 3️⃣3️⃣
— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 17, 2023
Congrats, Zee! 👏 pic.twitter.com/BACTpcsxWK
Alongside professional runner Becca Pizzi, Chara completed the marathon in a respectable time of 3 hours and 38 minutes, marking his debut in marathon running.
He fell so deeply in love that he went on to participate in five more marathons within the year, including three within the span of a single month.
And Chara’s not just finishing the marathons; he’s doing it with a pretty impressive rate of improvement. Since his debut at the 2023 Boston Marathon, Chara has continually bettered his personal best, shaving off 28 minutes from his initial time.
Chara says his motivation stems from the exhilaration of crossing the finish line, maintaining fitness, and the sheer enjoyment of the sport (runner’s high, anyone?).
Despite his towering physique and the toll of 24 years of professional hockey, Chara has managed to remain mostly injury-free in his running pursuits.
So, how much does an ex-NHL-turned-marathoner train? Chara logs an average of 60 miles per week, spending upwards of 20 hours per week preparing for races not only by running but also by incorporating cross-training such as cycling, swimming, and weight training (which probably helps him avoid injury, too).
With a training regimen that includes so much cross-training, Chara has set his sights beyond just running marathons. He has plans to participate in Ironman races, which entail a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a marathon.
Chara returns to Boston tomorrow to take on the 2024 Boston Marathon, the race that sparked his love for the sport one year ago. The crazier part? He’ll be heading to London right after to compete in the 2024 London Marathon less than a week later.
