Things Runners Sacrifice

You must be willing to make sacrifices at times, knowing that the outcome will be worth it.

  

I ran my first marathon on March 29th, 2015.

A year ago TODAY.

      The week of my marathon I was so freaking nervous. Understatement: I was so freaking scared/incredibly excited/could have peed my pants every second of the day/so many more emotions. Like seriously, I WAS GOING TO RUN A MARATHON. It felt like a long shot reality that I still couldn’t grasp… I have to finish 26.2 miles. Spoiler alert, YA GIRL FINISHED.

I ran a 20 miler…falling over with 9:20 pace. I cross trained…a couple times if you count hungover biking at the gym. I ate good…the nights I didn’t eat Mexican chimichangas.

All I know is at this time last year … I was a MARATHON FINISHER. Where’s the 5% that can say that?

This year though, all my marbles are in. Count ‘em up because I ran my 18 miler at 8:30 pace. I do strength about 3 times a week. And my diet rocks yours out of the park. I still have a long ways to go but I’ll be damn if I am not going to give it everything I have on April 30^th.

Let’s be serious though… I have and I know all you runners/marathoners out there give up A LOT to build status as a runner. It’s not all medals and pretty pictures!!

Things you need to just be prepared to give up when you decide to run a marathon:

1.  Late Friday Nights: If you even want to think about having a good long run, you need your sleep. Actually two nights before you need your sleep. Also, I’m pretty sure you’ll be tired Saturday night. And during the week you’ll want your sleep. So I would just plan on going to bed early every night. Trust me sleep rocks.
2. Saturdays: Might as well give these up too, once you start to get up into double digits you’re talking two to three hours of just running on a Saturday. For me that doesn’t include driving to the place I want to run, stretching, running, stretching, driving home, showering, and then even considering doing anything else the rest of the day sounds like a lot of work. Am I right?
3. Junk Food/Greasy Food – Food is fuel. Also, food is energy. Giving up the bad stuff makes a humungo difference. This also ties in with weight and I didn’t think I would have to mention what happens on a run after you eat badly. Runners all know too well the poop cramps. Take my advice and just give all that up.
4. Sleeping In: Getting in your miles means you might just have to wake up early instead of sleeping the day away. Trust me I was a little critical of this one. Ever seen the sunrise while running, you’ll never want to sleep in again. Whether this means 5:30 am or 7 am … if you have a busy day chances are you’re better off getting your run in early. Make time for what you want.
5. Having Cute Feet: wait, I once had pretty feet? I don’t remember. Toenails…gone. Tan lines…wait you don’t have socks on? Blisters…get used to them.
6. Money: Did you know marathons range from $75 to $250? Then shoes to train in. Then proper clothing, socks, underwear, etc. Running watches. Whew…annnnd I’m broke.
7.  Feeling Like a Million Bucks: Chances are you will feel like you took a beating at all times. Just wait, tapering is your moment to shine!
8. Sanity: Mentioning you are running a marathon and people all of a sudden think you are drunk and have lost your mind.  Um, no I was just drunk when I paid the race fee and signed up. JK, I love to run.