Inspired by serunner, I have done some research into the question of marathon calories. I’m not sure if there is a definitive answer, but I did find this formula:
Calories burned by exercise = ((METs * 3.5 * weight in kg) / 200) * duration in minutes
I also found the Compendium of Physical Activities, which lists the METs for a vast range of different activities, from which I extracted info on running and walking.
I plugged it all into Excel (twice, because Excel crashed and I hadn’t saved it for ages because I’m a muppet) and the answer is:
Running a fast marathon and lying down for a long time burns pretty much the same number of calories as running a slow marathon and lying down for a shorter period of time. The difference comes when you stop running your marathon and start walking it.
So maggiee, you’re sorted.
abradypus 
Wow! A proper, serious and useful blog post…. How do you do that? Well done!
Woooooooooo! Excellent! And might I say perhaps the cleverest blogging I have ever seen… Even if I’d found that formula, I wouldn’t have had a clue what to do with it!!
I like the lying down bit LOL
Wow I’m not sure I understood all of that!
So these were the data you were musing over earlier? Did the popcorn help?
Hugely. It had almonds and walnuts too. Scrummy.
I like the fact that one of the biggest factors that contributes to the number of calories that you burn is your mass. The more you weigh, the more calories you burn – result – (and yes I do realise that this is a stupid way to look at this!). I also like the lying down bit. Yes. Lying down is good.
Cheers for your words of encouragement. Like your formula very much. The lying down and the running slower bit both appealing and relevant. Also like your picture.
Well, very useful to know… and after reading that, I think I will go lie down… it’s bedtime after all!
Wow – you should be a teacher because I actually understood that. Like fattipuff I also like the fact that the bigger you are the more you burn!
Whoa, science! Today, the till at the co-op told me that walking was as good as jogging for keeping fit, but it didn’t have a graph and didn’t mention lying down. Rubbish co-op, must try harder.
You’ve inspired me to try and write an actually useful blog! (Rather than just my usual ramblings..). Fantastic stuff. (And I love your cat).
Pingback: Easter Eggs and @EalingHalf | abradypus