Marathon Comments

A collection of the good, the bad and the ugly comments I have heard throughout this training period and hopefully an educational response back :)


"You inspired me to get out there and run this past weekend"

-From various people, I LOVE hearing my training has inspired others to lead more healthy lifestyles. It's one of the best compliments anyone could give me. 


"So...how long is the Boston marathon? Is it different from the [insert other City here] Marathon?"

-Info you can use for the rest of your lives: No, EVERY single Marathon is 26.2 miles or 42.195 km. It doesn't matter if you are running Boston, Death Valley, Antarctica or even the Underwater Marathon (which is for a great cause and looks pretty damn cool) they are ALL 26.2 miles. Why? Check out the story of this Greek guy named Pheidippides who ran that distance to Athens after competing in the Battle of Marathon...and then died after proclaiming victory over the Persians :/ Just remember, a Marathon is a unit of measure :)


Girl at bar:"O you're running the marathon? I run too. I could totally run the Boston Marathon!"
Me: "yeah, I'm nervous it's my first marathon. How many have you done?"
Girl at bar:"O me? I haven't run any. I played Lacrosse in college so I could totally just run Boston."

-Oooo this girl is still under my skin. I played a year of field hockey in college, have done multi-sport races over 26 miles, have done countless long runs and other races and I STILL did not feel like I could just show up and run the Boston Marathon (and not want to die the whole time.) In fact, right now I'm very nervous about Monday. Consider the winter we have had and how long many longs run runners have done in sub 32 degree weather in various winter conditions. Still sound like a piece of cake?


"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SOMEONE DOWNPLAYED YOU RUNNING THE BOSTON MARATHON??? It is amazing you are running! Women have only been allowed to run *officially* for the past 42 years! (It is the 117th running of the race.) You are doing a great thing."

-This chick who told me that statement is awesome! She really inspired me even more (if that is even possible) about running :) More history on women running the marathon including Roberta Gibb, Katherine Switzer before they were allowed here


"Have you run Heartbreak Hill?"

-Yes, pretty much every weekend and every long run has included this wonderful hill. It's not the longest, steepest hill I will ever run, it is just the worst placed :)


"Are you ready?"

-This question is killing me. Because the honest answer is IDK? I've never run a marathon before so how am I suppose to know if I'm ready? I've done all my training long runs (see Marathon Progress Tab) so does that mean I'm ready? I guess we'll only know that answer on Monday ;)


"Can you please cry when you finish the Marathon?"

-I have never cried out of joy, I actually rarely cry at all. So yes, people who know how much this race means to me have asked me to please cry haha I hope I do! It would be nice so people could see how much this race has affected me in such a positive way :)


"Running a marathon is really bad for you, we aren't suppose to run that far."

-Is running the Boston Marathon Good for you?  Because many won't read this full article, here is the conclusion: "Dr Baggish's enthusiasm is encouraging. 'I fully believe,' he says, 'that routine, consistent exercise and training, including training for a marathon or two each year, is the key to
 long-term health.'"


"So....I donated to your fundraising efforts, does that get me anything? Like a gurantee you will finish?"

-O gosh, I wish it did! The truth is I think the reason why I am so nervous about this race is because of how publicized of an event it is. Approximately 500,000 people watch the Marathon and everyone will ask what your finish time was. You ask people to donate, host fundraisers, tell people to get your text updates on race day, people make signs for you and get you marathon gifts AH! It's all so exciting and meaningful but CRAP I don't want to let anyone down!


And on the flip side of that comment...


"I didn't donate to your fundraising efforts...but I read your blog!"

-Hmm...this one I almost didn't put up because I don't want to sound ungrateful/preachy but I figured for knowledge spreading purposes it was worth mentioning. I love all my blog readers and I'm flattered people have responded so positively to my posts on this blog. Unfortunately, the only way I was able to run the Boston Marathon this year was by applying to a charity. The Boston Marathon is one of the few marathons you must hit a qualifying time in order to receive a number. I am not fast enough. For a woman my age, I would need to run a marathon in 3 hours 35 min which is about an 8 min pace the whole marathon.  Pretty damn hard for my first marathon. Instead, I was lucky enough to be accepted to Tedy's Team and raise a minimum of $5,000 for a very important cause. It's important to keep in mind that if a charity runner does not meet their fundraising minimum, he/she is financially responsible for paying the difference. Remember an easy $5 or $10 goes along way...


And the #1 (no pun intended) comment I get out the Marathon...
"What if you have to go to the bathroom???" *Said with terrified look on his/her face*

-No comment on this one but trust me, every runner has already thought through this question

Also, if you want to join the elite group of individuals who read my blog AND support my marathon fundraising efforts you can do so here! (and I will be eternally grateful) :)



And now watch this video and laugh: 

PS
Could there BE any more links in this post???

Excited for my Paint Bar fundraiser tonight!
-cat