Mar
4
During the last couple miles of the race on Sunday I had two thoughts foremost in my mind: one, that it would all be over soon and I just had to hang in there for, like, twenty more minutes; and two, that I was never ever EVER going to try and do a full marathon because there is pushing yourself and then there is plain old masochism and holy fuck I think I know which side of street 26.2 miles lives on.
I said as much to the friendly Minneapolis couple I was seated next to on my flight home. They told me I should come do the Twin Cities race in October because the leaves are so pretty, and I said I’d love to, but only if there was a half. “I mean, twenty-six miles,” I said, and twirled my finger next to my temple. They agreed, and we had a hearty chuckle over the batfuck insanity of running for five straight hours. Who DOES that?
. . . you can probably guess where this is going, right?
Yeah.
I really don’t know either, but I’ve got eight weeks to figure it out.
Comments
-
My product review site:
[
Go, lady, go. What’s to stop you? Absolutely fucking nothing.
I am SO EXCITED for you! I just completed my first marathon last September and it was the most physically gratifying experience I’ve ever had in my life. Trumped childbirth even. This is just awesome. Can’t wait to hear about your training. Yay, and just WOW!
In. awe. No other words!
You’re officially my hero. Or you will be when you make it over the finish line alive.
Good luck!
I have no doubts you will completely rock that marathon. In awe of your determination to push yourself to do things you probably don’t think you’re quite ready for, but WTH, you’re going to do it. Thanks attitude is inspiring. I am on day 4 of no cancer sticks myself….hey, you gotta start somewhere.
You are going to do fantastic – you are such an inspiration!
Sweet!
Just so you know, and I’m sure others have told you this, but you’re going to get addicted. I know, I know, it MAKES NO SENSE. But it happens. I just signed up for my seventh for this fall (Twin Cities) and I’m not even a GOOD runner. You’re going to love it!
I mean, who didn’t see that coming?
Is this your way of asking for help? Intervention!
I have a work friend/mentor who has run in several marathons over the course of the past several decades, just completing one in Chicago last year. While she has accomplished much in life, if you ask her of what she is most proud, it is of seeing every one of them through to each excrutiating end. Good for you.
Woah . . . AWESOME! Congrats and good luck!
Oh, so addictive, aren’t they?!
I’m going to be doing my second half-marathon this fall. Tomorrow is the fifth anniversary of my first marathon! I’ve never been brave enough to try two in one year, though … I’ve been doing one about every second year. I better step it up!
Damn girl – why not, right? Go for it! Soon as I have this baby I’m starting to train for a 5k. You’re a great inspiration!
You go Girl! How did JB’s fight go?
Woo hoo! I knew you would do it. There is something insatiable about finishing a race and thinking – wow that sucked a$$ bigtime but wait, I think I can do MORE!
I sort of did it backwards though – the first race I ever trained for was a full marathon, but during training for the full, I did my first official half marathon since it happened to be the same day I was supposed to do a 14 mile long run. And after the full was complete I vowed to never do it again, and then went for halfs. And now I’m training for 5k’s and 10k’s. Next up, 100 yard dash. Haha! No matter what the distance, those races are addicting, I feel ya!!!
Congrats on your half and good luck as you go for the full! You will do great.
You have been so inspirational to me as I quit smoking and started running. Thank you so much!
Oh my – you are just inspirational and kick-ass. Congratulations on the half completion and I’m looking forward to hearing all about your training for this full.
Congrats! I would say crazy, but I’ve known lots of people who get addicted after a half. I plan on sticking with 10ks and half marathons, if I can complete my half this summer. Great luck with your training.
I’m so glad you’re going crazy! :D
Ahhhh I KNEW it! You won’t regret this. My first marathon was a fucking disaster and even so, I’m still damn glad I did it. Total life-changer. Enjoy : )
You never cease to amaze me. And good for just jumping in with two (sore) feet and going for it. Because had you waited and hummed and ha-ahed…you might never be able to say I’m actually running an effing marathon!
YAY!! I’m so excited for you!
I’ll just second what everyone else is saying: they are addictive and good for you! I did a full marathon first and around mile 18 I thought, “No WAY am I ever doing this again.” While I was right about the distance, I did do a half (I LOVE that distance) a year later.
You’ve got the bug now!
Awesome! I ran my first marathon in January, and then turned around and ran another one last month too. Be careful. They’re addicting. Of course, around mile 20 of each of them I was cursing myself… : )
Now I’m twirling my finger next to my temple. :)
Granted I’m doing my 3rd half in June but still wont make the time you just did!
Eugene is beautiful and with family in that neck of the woods maybe your boys (3) can be at the finish line waiting.
Way to go Linda!
This is awesome. You are inspiring me.
Running a marathon has been on my life-list for more than a decade, but I haven’t done a damn thing to start making it happen.
I’m terrified. But I’m not getting any younger either.
Good luck and happy training.
Awesome! And your thoughts during the end of the half are the same I used to think when I was doing triathlons back in the day… I’d be slogging through the run (usually a 10K after doing some 40-mile-ish bike leg) and thinking “this is the last time I’m doing one of these damn things.” Then 10 minutes after the finish, I’d be thinking, “I wonder when the next one is.”
So is Aqufit Kristin going to do it with you? I seem to remember seeing a Tweet saying “I’ll do it if you will.”
Watch out for overuse injuries though. Three months go by very quickly.
I correct myself. It isn’t three months. You have less than two months to train for an additional 13.1 miles. I take fish oil and glucosamine supplements regularly. They really help support my joints, prevent inflammation and help in my recovery from long runs.
Linda, you inspire me and stuff.
8 weeks is short. Be careful and don’t hurt yourself. And I do think you’re a rock star. :)
I read that comment someone posted on you BIM post half marathon post? The one that read, “Post-event depression is what makes us do crazy things like immediately sign up for another one”? NOW I know why you signed up for a full marathon. It’s like going on vacation: planning is often more fun that the trip itself.
Before I thought you were just a little crazy…you know, in that lovable way. Now I think you’re certifiable. ;-) Seriously though? You’re a badass — go kick that marathon’s tushie!
Oh! I got all excited thinking you were coming to Minneapolis. Durrr. Good luck, can’t wait to read about it!
You? Are bugfuck crazy. Good luck! I’m pulling for you!
Really glad you are doing it!
My dad did the Marine Corps one here in DC back while I was in high school. Some things you just gotta do. Good for you! If anyone can do it in 8 weeks, its you.
(although secretly, Readers, I think she just wants an excuse to eat an entire apple pie)
:)
Woo coming to my hometown! Enjoy!!!
Listen… I WOULD call you crazy, but after shaking my ass at the dance marathon for 39 hours I lost that privilege. *fist pump* from one crazy to another!
Linda, I don’t know if you want to address this, maybe it’s a topic for a Bodies in Motivation post, but, how do you find the time & energy to do everything you do? (1) sucktacular commute, (2) full time job, (3) double toddler wrangling, (4) ambitious running / training regimen, and (5) working toward your college degree.
As far as your readers know, you manage all these commitments without ever losing your temper.
I have a 1/2 hour each way commute, a full-time job, a mellow dog, a husband who’s willing to cook for himself, people who clean my house for me, and an “if-I-feel-like-it” exercise regimen.
And that’s it.
And that’s TOO MUCH for me! I find myself getting way overstressed and losing my temper. My excuse it, my job is really more than full time, and sometimes its demands are unreal, but still, I have way, way, way less on my plate than you do.
Sometimes I’ll have a day here or there where I’ll sit down at the end of the day and think, “Holy cow, I got a lot done today!”
But if I try to SCHEDULE my days, in ADVANCE, so that I am supposed to be productive/exercising/handling some sort of responsibility every moment of the day?
I am SURE to lose it at some point. It is 100% guaranteed taht on a day like that, someone will wander along who will WASTE MY TIME when I feel as though I really have not a moment to spare.
And then I decide I need to “scale back” — although the only thing I can really cut out is exercise.
So — how do you do it? How do you, voluntarily, and apparently cheerfully, schedule your days down to the nanosecond without getting overstressed?
Hi Linda!
Congrats on your half and YOU GO GIRL on that full!!! I don’t know if you know, but the Rock “n” Roll marathons are a series of races. If you complete more than one of their races in a calendar year, they have different “Bonus” medals that you automatically earn. There are lots of different combinations of races and medals. Just a thought if you are considering any more races for this year! :)
http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/heavy-medals/combinations
Linda, very exciting! Your first full marathon! Keep doing what you’ve been doing with the training! I predict 4:30 :)
Ammmaaazing. :) Can’t wait to hear your journey through this one!
…well, I might be running the Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon in San Antonio, TX this year…just got back in contact with BF from college (today)…and if she doesn’t make the lottery for NYC, we are running in SA!!!! OMG, I am almost excited!! Good vibes in your marathon…you rock!
Please, please, PLEASE come to Minneapolis! I cannot imagine running 26.2 miles…but you can also run the half here, I think, and it is considered the prettiest marathon in the U.S.
Plus, I’d be happy to show you around town if you wanted.
p.s. I’ll even hold up a sign and cheer for you.