Marathon High?

Well, it didn’t take long to get back into the swing of things over here. Running Chicago last weekend was amazing and I planned to bask in all of it’s glory for as many days after the race as I possibly could. Unfortunately, my basking was cut short.

Very short.

One of my favorite things post marathon was waking up the next day in Chicago, putting on my race shirt and walking around downtown. Smiling and nodding at all of the other race shirt wearers, and getting random congratulations throughout the day. It was like a holiday in Chicago and I didn’t want it to end.

So, when I made it back to school I was quickly knocked off my marathon high when I was greeted with 2 tests and some seriously rude dorm residents.

Along with being a student, runner and a bagel girl I’m also an RA on campus and teach a freshman class with some of my residents as students. If you would have asked me a few weeks ago how things were going I would’ve said, “Oh, just lovely.”

Would you like to know how this RA gig is going as of late? Yes? Oh wonderful.

(Ranting ensues below..)

Last week I had a door slammed in my face, had another resident curse at me and just last night had a resident call me a “sweetheart” after I enforced quiet hours. Now, I don’t know about any of you and it might just seem like I’m venting and ranting but I do not appreciate being cursed at or having doors slammed in my face; and I most certainly do not appreciate being called “sweetheart”.

(Ranting ends.. sort of)

The worst part about all of this? This  all went down 1 day after I got back from Chicago. 1 day! Don’t these people  know that I just ran a marathon? I feel like each resident should give me a pat on the back, a congratulations, a “way to go!”. At least ask me how it went, ya know? Nope, not any of that. 

One thing that I have noticed that I wasn’t really aware of pre-marathon is how disinterested non-runners are in races. Some, the nice ones, will ask you how it went, smile and might say something like “that’s awesome” or “how cool”. Don’t get me wrong the questions are nice and very much appreciated. I’ll take any bate I can get to talk about running!

But you can always distinguish between the runners and the non-runners in situations like this. The runners want to know everything about the race. They want to know how you felt at mile 15, 20 and 26. They want to know about the wall. How did you finish? Strong? And if you’re going to do another one. There excited when asking questions and hang on you every word. I know this because that’s what I’m like when I talk to other runners. I get so excited because I love it! I love talking to other runners about their races or just every day runs.

1.) How do you feel about people calling you “sweetheart”? 

- The resident that called me a sweetheart is 1.) younger than me 2.) one of my students (I teach a freshman class) 3.) said it in an incredibly condescending tone.

2.) How long do bask in your marathon/race glory? 

- At next years Chicago marathon I’m staying the whole week after. They know how to treat their runners

3.) Do you like to talk to other runners about your races/training/tips & tricks? 

- umm yes!

Happy Hump Day!

~Sarah

Dear 26.2

Dear 26.2,

I gave you 5 months of training and countless miles.

I gave you early nights and even earlier mornings.

I gave you my social life as well as 1.5 of my toenails.

Thank you.

Because what you have given me is by far, so much more, than I could have given you.

From the moment I first really fell in love with running 3 years ago you gave me the confidence I needed to follow my heart and believe in myself.

You gave me a place where I could be me, a place where I could think, a place to “get away”, and a constant place of calm that I could go to throughout these last few years of college life.

I thank you for the confidence you have given me to be comfortable with who I am and be able to stay true to myself in a world where it is easy to get lost in.

I thank you for being a constant place of calm to where I could go and think, get away and to be myself without any distractions.

I thank you for teaching me what it’s like to work really hard at something, set goals for myself and to achieve them.

I thank you for helping me to be thankful for all of the important people in my life that helped me to achieve my goals. If it weren’t for those who woke up at the crack of dawn to ride their bikes with me, hand me gu and talk to me about random anythings to keep my mind off of the milage I would not have been able to do it.

Sincerely,

Sarah

 

 

5 Days

In 5 days things will change. I’m not sure what exactly but I feel like after you run 26.2 miles something has to change. One thing is for sure though. I won’t just be a runner anymore; I’ll be a marathon runner. Holy Cow.

I’ve done all that I was supposed to do. I put in the miles, suffered through ice baths and even began working at a bagel place just so I could get discounted carbs to feed by unsatisfiable hunger growls.

kidding. Sort of.

I did really get a job working at a bagel bakery but I have yet to order one. There is something about making breakfast sandwiches for 5 hours straight that really turns a girl off of the whole bagel thang.

But that’s neither here nor there. What I really want to talk about right now is the simple fact that I will be running a marathon in 5 days. A goal I set for myself looong ago that I didn’t think I would even attempt until I was in my mid twenties. At least.

Well, people I’m 21 now and it’s happening. I’m excited. I’m nervous. I’m slightly scared. But in 5 days it’s going to happen.

I’m almost sad that by this time next week I won’t have a training plan to wake up to every morning or that I don’t have to schedule my weekends around my long runs. Is this strange?  What do people do on Sunday mornings when they don’t wake up at 6am to run 20 miles? Do they just wake up and eat pancakes?

That’s boring.  I’m going to need to run first.

Throughout these next few days there are a few things that have to need to happen. I need to make sure I’m getting as much sleep as I can. Especially with the long drive I have ahead of me come Saturday. This girl needs to feel bright eyed and bushy tailed come race day.  Thankfully, I had most of my tests and papers due last week so this week is all about catching up and getting ahead on all of my reading and homework for post marathon week. I won’t be driving back to school until the monday after race day and the last thing I want to do will be homework and reading when I return. These next few days will also be full of stretching and fueling my body with only good foods and really making sure not to over load on the fiber. Fiber overload can be dangerous.. and I don’t want to mess with that monster.. if ya know what I mean.

So, there ya have it. 5 days till my first marathon. I can’t believe it’s almost here. I can’t believe it’s almost over! I’m not ready for this to end..

Here’s a question for you all: Have you ran a marathon?! Any advice? I have 5 days to soak in all of your tips and tricks so tell me!

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Sarah