Happy 3 Days til Marathon Day of Marathon Week. Yes, every day this week is it’s own holiday. So let’s get with the festivities, and get ourselves all amped up, and inspired to run further than most people like to drive, shall we?
What inspires you?
I took this picture in DC last weekend. It has no relevance, but I thought it was a pretty backdrop to put quotes on, and that sunshine is symbolic, or something…
When times get tough, as they always do, there are two three things I always tell myself.
1. If it was easy everyone would do it. I am a competitive person. The fact that I have the ability, the drive, and the motivation to push myself in a way that such a small percentage of the population will achieve gives me pride, and fuels the my fire and drive to push through the pain.
2. I can do anything. This is something Ari 2 years ago would have never believed that statement, but it is probably the biggest thing running has taught me. I may not be able to do everything today (BUT WHYYYYY NOT?????), but if I put my mind to it, there is nothing I can’t do. I can do anything.
3. Everything is easier with ruffles on your ass. It’s the truth, and it makes me laugh when I want to cry because my legs hurt.
I am usually able to be my own inspiration in the moment, but I find so much inspiration in reading other people’s stories and journeys. In fact, it was reading the first marathon recap of one specific blogger that inspired me to run a marathon in the first place. I’ve spent the week reading lots of race recaps, especially first marathon recaps, RnR AZ recaps, and pretty much anything written by runners who share my…um, emotionalness. I wanted to share with you guys a few of my favorites in hope that you will find them as motivating and inspiring as I have.
First time marathons:
Ali’s Hamptons Marathon Recap. No matter how many times I read this (and there have been a kind of embarrassing amount), I still cry every single time, and I think “That is what I want my marathon to be.”
Jaime’s Goofy Challenge Recap. The first Team Chances get together, I walked in incredibly nervous and not knowing a soul. I sat down at Jaime’s table, and the rest is history. We clicked right away, and she quickly became one of my closest teammates in this process. Four days ago she not only ran her first marathon, but she ran it the day after running a half marathon in 80* temperatures with Florida humidity. She powered through the toughest first marathon circumstances I can imagine, and powered through! It doesn’t get much more inspirational than this.
Tina’s RnR AZ Marathon Recap. Carrots N Cake was the first blog I started reading. It was the blog that made me want to blog, and RnR AZ was her first marathon. I had read the recap once before, but I went back and read it this week, and it’s definitely a good one.
Theodora’s Chicago Marathon Recap. There’s something about going from being significantly overweight to running a marathon that I feel like you can’t quite understand unless you’ve been there. I can’t quite describe the feeling (yet), but Theodora does a pretty amazing job, and of all of the recaps I’ve read, this one probably resonates the most.
Tina’s Cleveland Marathon Recap. You never really know what can happen on race day, and sometimes things are harder than you ever expected due to circumstances that are beyond your control, but Tina pushed through all of it, and her recap really shows how a race that seems frustrating in the moment is so rewarding in the end. I also love what she says at the very end.
Jamie’s Wineglass Marathon Recap. I know it didn’t end the way she wanted it to, but this is an other good one that reminds me to not give up no matter what, and even in the toughest circumstances, the most important thing is just to finish.
Other inspiring marathon recaps:
Emily’s Eugene Marathon Recap. One day, I would just like to run a 5k at her marathon pace.
Ali’s Manchester City Marathon Recap. How is even her second marathon so freaking inspirational?!
Theodora’s NYCM Recap. I like this one even better than her first one. An other recap that makes me cry every single time.
Sarah’s Eugene Marathon Recap. Let’s just say between this and Emily’s, Eugene is on my race bucket list.
Laura’s Houston Marathon Recap. I love this girl, and she killed it last weekend with some crazy weather conditions!
Other good racing reads:
When my running bestie broke 2 hours in her half marathon.
Caitlin’s first post pardum triathlon.
My girl Stacey’s 19 minute half marathon PR.
Clarinda’s Really Big Half Marathon recap.
Have a first marathon recap, or an inspiring race recap you want to share? Link it up! Keep it coming! I’ve been reading these and crying for 2 days, and I’m no where near ready to stop!
Good luck this weekend. I was just like you before my first marathon. Heck, I have run 7 and I still like reading marathon recaps right before a marathon. Marathon running has so many ups and downs. Don’t get too caught up in reading about other people’s ups and downs. Enjoy every minute of your own ups and downs. Don’t forget the following during your race: 1) high five spectators, especially kids. Their energy can help you get through those later miles. 2) thank the volunteers. These people got up REALLY early to be there for you. Thinking about that helps to give perspective. 3) sing along to at least one song. Whether or not it is your own music or one of the bands along the way, music can take your mind off other things that might bring you down. 4) have fun! Even my worst marathons had fun moments. Find a way to laugh.
Good luck this weekend!! I love your tips/mantras – I think the most important one is ‘I can do anything’. The body achieves what the mind believes!!
Aww thank you for including me in this list! It definitely didn’t go the way that my husband or I wanted it to, but we are currently training for our second marathon (Cleveland) and I know it will go better!
How exciting! I just ran my first marathon on Sunday at Disney! It was intense, but I will definitely be back again! Good luck to you!! Here is my recap: http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2013/01/disney-marathon-2013-race-recap.html.
I also wrote a few things I learned and will change for next time today. Here is that post in case you’re interested as well: http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2013/01/62-things-i-learned-in-my-first.html.
Oh wow I’m so excited for you! I love first marathons! And what a great idea linking up all those other race recaps. Reading recaps is one of my favorite things. I’m wishing lots of encouragement and can’t wait t hear about it after. I don’t have a recap of my first marathon because I didn’t have a blog then but here’s my PR marathon recap from MCM last year: http://www.sweetlifeericka.com/2012/10/marine-corps-marathon-2012-yes.html
Love this post, Ari! You’re going to have an amazing marathon! Thank you for including me in this post. 🙂
good luck Ari!! you will rock this, I just know it. Sending you virtual chocolate covered pretzel cookies my dear. 🙂 Can’t wait to read about it all! I’m so pumped for ya!
Thanks for the really kind words. Can’t wait to hear how you rock it!
I am bookmarking this post for right before I run my first marathon! What a cool collection of recaps! Thanks so much for including me in it! I can’t wait to be healed so I can run with you again! You’re going to rock Phx this weekend and I can;t wait to hear all about it!!
Thanks for mentioning me! 🙂 Good luck with your first. Have fun and enjoy it.
Good luck on your 1st marathon! The feeling of crossing the finish line is unlike any other. I’m so excited for you and Nicole and can’t wait to hear all about it. Remember… one foot in front of the other and you’ll get there:)
Dude! First of all, thank you for the multiple, overly-kind shout-outs. Secondly, I am SO SO SO excited for you!!! Honestly, forget the training, which you’ve done, the fact that your head is in such an awesome place will make this an incredible, unforgettable experience for you. That first marathon, I swear, it’s 99% mental. Remember to enjoy every step, even the ones that hurt, and keep moving forward. When you see the finish line, sprint for it, even if a sprint is a crawl at that point (mine was, but it felt fast!). You only get one first marathon 😉 And then let’s talk about your second, third and fourth! I’ll be thinking of you! GOOD LUCK!!!
Aww thanks for including me. Good luck this weekend – sounds like you’re ready and even if not #3 will definitely pull you through 😉