My Latest Challenge- 26.2
My mom always tells me that I don't know how to relax. I usually roll my eyes, but I have to admit that she does have a point. Although it's sometimes annoying, I think that this lack of relaxation in my life is what constantly keeps me on my toes for what's next. I always need to challenge myself in some way and I just completed me biggest challenge yet.
It's no secret that I've started to like running. Two years ago I ran my first half marathon and I've been dabbling in running ever since. In December I decided that I wanted to train for a full marathon. This was a big decision for the girl who cried about having to run the mile in middle school.
Training for a marathon is a bitch. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar.
It takes time-- SO much time. It takes endurance. And it takes A LOT of willpower.
It's tough to wake up at 5:45 AM for a 16 mile run. You might call your mom crying after you're done with said run. She might tell you that you're crazy. And then you'll probably keep training and bump it up to 17 the next week.
The cool thing about training is that you feel like you can eat a lot and feel really awesome when you tell people that you casually ran 18 miles that morning. The other cool thing about training is that if you do it right, you will actually succeed in running a marathon.
The race itself was a blur. It's funny how a 4 hour and 27 minute run can seem like a blur now, but it does. I had a goal time in mind, but I knew that it would be alright to not make the goal, especially with how under the weather I had been feeling thanks to a solid few weeks of celebrating the end of college; however, I am thankful I found a partner to run the entire race with because without Brianna I wouldn't have kept my pace or reached my goal. Speaking of being thankful, here's a brief list of other people I'm thankful for: Kelly Thurmes, my number one running buddy who woke up on cold mornings to run with me; my parents, they called me crazy and still came to support me; my roommates, they told me I was awesome even on my hard days and kept me up when I was feeling down; Alex Elizarraga, the kid who started it all and inspired me to start running freshman year. And to anyone else who supported me or gave me advice-- THANK YOU !!!!
Now, back to the fun stuff. Here's a breakdown of how the blur happened as I now remember:
Pre-race: Met Brianna in the bathroom and decided to start out together
Mile 1: Feeling good and smiling a lot
Mile 4: STARVING
Mile 7: Brianna and I have a nice life chat about teaching, boyfriends, etc.
Mile 10: Snag a banana from a stranger, smiles again
Mile 12: Brianna takes Advil and our conversation slows WAY down
Mile 14: I wonder where my parents are with my Gu packs
Mile 16: My legs start to hate me
Mile 17: "Ugly Heart" by G.R.L. plays for the 12th time
Mile 19: FINALLY see my parents and retrieve Gu packs, more smiles
Mile 20: No more smiles, my brain hates me
Mile 21: Spot Hattie Harn in a pizza costume and tear up
Mile 23: Throat closes up and I think I'm probably going to have a panic attack and collapse
Mile 25: Stop for water and almost stop completely, but Brianna pushes on
Mile 26.2: Turn into a weepy mess and realize that I truly can do anything that I put my mind to
So, was training for a marathon tough? Yes.
Was it incredibly rewarding? Yes.
Would I do it all over again? Probably.
Don't be afraid to challenge yourself. You never know when you'll blow your own damn mind.
It's no secret that I've started to like running. Two years ago I ran my first half marathon and I've been dabbling in running ever since. In December I decided that I wanted to train for a full marathon. This was a big decision for the girl who cried about having to run the mile in middle school.
Training for a marathon is a bitch. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar.
It takes time-- SO much time. It takes endurance. And it takes A LOT of willpower.
It's tough to wake up at 5:45 AM for a 16 mile run. You might call your mom crying after you're done with said run. She might tell you that you're crazy. And then you'll probably keep training and bump it up to 17 the next week.
The cool thing about training is that you feel like you can eat a lot and feel really awesome when you tell people that you casually ran 18 miles that morning. The other cool thing about training is that if you do it right, you will actually succeed in running a marathon.
The race itself was a blur. It's funny how a 4 hour and 27 minute run can seem like a blur now, but it does. I had a goal time in mind, but I knew that it would be alright to not make the goal, especially with how under the weather I had been feeling thanks to a solid few weeks of celebrating the end of college; however, I am thankful I found a partner to run the entire race with because without Brianna I wouldn't have kept my pace or reached my goal. Speaking of being thankful, here's a brief list of other people I'm thankful for: Kelly Thurmes, my number one running buddy who woke up on cold mornings to run with me; my parents, they called me crazy and still came to support me; my roommates, they told me I was awesome even on my hard days and kept me up when I was feeling down; Alex Elizarraga, the kid who started it all and inspired me to start running freshman year. And to anyone else who supported me or gave me advice-- THANK YOU !!!!
Now, back to the fun stuff. Here's a breakdown of how the blur happened as I now remember:
Pre-race: Met Brianna in the bathroom and decided to start out together
Mile 1: Feeling good and smiling a lot
Mile 4: STARVING
Mile 7: Brianna and I have a nice life chat about teaching, boyfriends, etc.
Mile 10: Snag a banana from a stranger, smiles again
Mile 12: Brianna takes Advil and our conversation slows WAY down
Mile 14: I wonder where my parents are with my Gu packs
Mile 16: My legs start to hate me
Mile 17: "Ugly Heart" by G.R.L. plays for the 12th time
Mile 19: FINALLY see my parents and retrieve Gu packs, more smiles
Mile 20: No more smiles, my brain hates me
Mile 21: Spot Hattie Harn in a pizza costume and tear up
Mile 23: Throat closes up and I think I'm probably going to have a panic attack and collapse
Mile 25: Stop for water and almost stop completely, but Brianna pushes on
Mile 26.2: Turn into a weepy mess and realize that I truly can do anything that I put my mind to
So, was training for a marathon tough? Yes.
Was it incredibly rewarding? Yes.
Would I do it all over again? Probably.
Don't be afraid to challenge yourself. You never know when you'll blow your own damn mind.
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