From the Mind of Meegs

Having now completed a half marathon, I will never again say to anyone "Wow! You're running a half marathon?!?! Good for you!" or even "Wow! You're running a marathon?!?! Good for you!" These are all things I have said in the past, and have heard said to me.

This is not because I, having completed one myself, now look upon the half marathon as less of an accomplishment. Quite the opposite. And, clearly, I have no personal experience with the marathon (but I'm extrapolating based on my half experience).

In truth, the race itself is not so bad. You're tapered. You've got race day adrenaline. You've got fellow runners and people cheering you on. Even if it sucks (and at various points throughout the race, it will suck), it's over in a few hours and you've got the rush of accomplishment.

It's not the race that's the thing. It's the training that really taxes your will to live. Months of planning your weekends around long runs. Intervals at 5:30 AM. No end in sight for a long time. Oh. Dear. God.

So, next time I meet a fellow runner in pursuit of an ambitious goal, I'm going to say "Wow! You're training for a (half) marathon?!?! Good for you!" That, I feel, is a much more well founded sentiment.