Life is a Marathon!
We race to the grocery store, to school, to a doctor appointment, and from time to time, to catch our flight! Life is a marathon of races that we run every day.
So why run a 26.2 mile race if life is already a marathon?!
Because you get to go at your own pace and be alongside so many others all with the same goal in mind…to cross the finish line!
Have you ever thought of running a race, be it a 5k or 10k? It never dawned on me to run any race, yet it went somewhat like this 33 years ago:
Chris: Hey, Melissa, want to run a marathon?
Melissa: What? Are you nuts – have you ever even run a mile?
Chris: No, but I can swim! LOLOL
Well, from that day on we ventured out. We ran a half a mile, walked 100 yards, ran a bit further, walked some more and kept up this pace, increasing our distance daily over a few months. Then, we signed up for our first 5k - The Shamrock Shuffle. It was exhilarating being surrounded by thousands of others all with the same goal in mind – to cross the finish line….and at our own pace. We were hooked! And now thinking as I write, what a world this would be if we can get more of us running a 5k (or doing a thing called life) in the same direction at the same time and with the same goal in mind.
We ventured further the next time around and signed up for a 10k and shortly thereafter the Chicago Marathon in 1993, 1994, then 1995 when our finish time qualified us for the famed Boston Marathon. “It must be a fluke”, I said to Chris. Chris discovered this while reading the paper the next day and called me up with this sensational news!! We owe it all to the Chicago weather, really! It was blowing snow in Chicago the year we qualified. We were chilled to the bone and with adrenaline flowing to keep us warm, alive and to give us an extra boost, we ran faster than we ever did and finished in 3 hrs and 40 minutes!
What came next!? We booked our hotels and flights and were off to Boston 8 months later. We hydrated, carb loaded (enjoyed some red wine with our pasta) and had the time of our life running side by side and having the same goal in mind at the very same time in our lives - to cross the finish line. What a gift!
A few tips I learned along the way:
- Wear clothing, shoes and socks that are made for running! I love @feetures socks today but back in the day I was a @wrightsock girl.
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Do hydrate extra the week of – I love @goultima today and honestly back in the day it was just good ole fashion agua!
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Do Carb Load the night before and even a few days before…balance with protein!
- Don’t be afraid to take a few over the counter nsaids during your race to ease some of the pain (and boost your energy) to mentally keep your mind with that same goal in mind…to cross the finish line.
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Do bring along a snack bar or two (stash it in your Hi Love Travel layflat fanny pack!) My favorites today are @theYESbar, but at the time, @greensplus was my go to.
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Do Stop at every water/Gatorade stop along the way – dehydration catches up on you.
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Don’t sit right afterward – keep moving…and if possible get a massage that same day.
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Do Eat that donut, chocolate cake or ice cream sundae right after…and
- Give yourself a high five!
I highly recommend running a race someday, whether it be a 5k, 10k, a marathon, or simply a race amongst friends. Grab your bestie, neighbor, partner or furry friend and get moving. Summer is here and the weather is in your favor to enjoy some fresh air, the great outdoors and embark on a like minded goal (at your own pace) with thousands of others! It is sure to exhilarate you and bond you and your loved one forever.
Life is a Marathon, inspired by love and a long run!
