For the past few months, I’ve been considering running a full marathon. It’s one of those things that I keep saying, “Well, that might be nice to do someday” which is a drastic change from the “Oh hell no!” declaration I made when I first began running three years ago.
I have my eyes set on the Philadelphia Marathon and with registration opening tomorrow, it’s decision time. Of course there are some reservations I have about signing up. Primarily, plantar fasciitis foot pain after a long run and the fact that… well, 26.2 is a ridiculously long distance to run. But never mind that.
Let’s discuss the various signs that are pointing to YES, MERIDITH, YOU NEED TO DO THIS!
#1 Registration is tomorrow and tomorrow is my birthday.
Registrations cost money (yeah, I’m one of those crazy people who pays for my races) and I need to buy myself a birthday present! Easy peasy lemon squeezy. The laying out the money is the easy part of this whole shebang.
#2 The Philadelphia Marathon keeps posting things like this on their Facebook.
photo via Philadelphia Marathon
I think they are trying to lure me with the promise of water, Gatorade, and flying cups. It’s working, Philadelphia Marathon, it’s working.
#3 Philadelphia Marathon is where I watched my first marathon, ran my first road race (the 8k), volunteered and cheered for Kyle.
That’s right, I’ve actually been at the Philadelphia Marathon for the past four years but haven’t participated in the half or full. That obviously needs to change. If I’m going to be there ANYWAY, I might as well be running.
4 years ago when Victoria finished her first marathon – the inspiration to get moving!
#4 I ran the Back on My Feet 5 Miler this weekend (and was in good company with Karen, Cyanne, and Hollie). Karen and I stuck together; within the first mile, our conversation turned to the Philadelphia Marathon. We chatted about pros and cons and thoughts on signing up. During the second mile, we turned a corner, only to face a steep hill.
And this was right in the middle of the street…
Karen says it best on her Instagram photo. (That’s the Philadelphia Marathon logo.)
#5 The time factor. In September my Little kiddo starts full day Kindergarten. Pooks will be in 4th grade. I’m going to have all this free time. (That’s said sarcastically.) But I will have a bit more time to run during the day and maybe even get some of my long runs done on a weekday rather than a weekend.
I could tell you all the doubts, nervousness and negative thoughts (what if, you can’t, but your foot…) swaying me in the other direction but I’d much rather focus on the signs that point to YES.
Have you run a marathon? How did you decide to make the leap? Will I actually do this tomorrow??? (I’m sort of freaking out.)
I’m definitely one of those people that say when you know you know. You sound ready to me. with marathon training it’s mostly mental you just have to commit. Good luck
I sure hope I’m ready because I just registered!!! EEK!
Woohoo! Happy Birthday, to you! 🙂
And Happy Birthday!!!!
Sent from my iPhone
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Thank you so much! xo
I say go for it! I also believe in signs- and these are saying it’s time. 🙂 Good luck and have a GREAT birthday!
Thank you, Patty! The registration is complete – now comes the TRAINING. 😉 At least I have a bit of time before I go hardcore!
It sounds like all signs are pointing to YES! 🙂
FOR US BOTH! Let’s do this!
Pretty sure this is one of those things you HAVE to do. =) It’ll be a blast! (Of course, easy for me to say, right? LOL)
Well, I’m registered so now all signs and money point to YES! 😉
I am so excited for you! Only you know when the time is right, and it sounds to me like the time is right! I’ll be there too my love! xoxox
Thanks so much for your constant encouragement and support. To think that this all started in 2010!!!
Yes! You need to do it! I totally believe that you are entirely capable of such awesomeness! Xoxo
Just like my faith in you during your first half, I appreciate yours in me! I’ll be texting. Often.
It’s pretty clear the universe is giving you a big shove! I’m 90% sure I’m going for the Dis full this year as my first and I’m freaking out, too. But, as someone who is just finishing up her youngest kids’ kindergarten year, it IS awesome to get some of those long runs done during the week without pushing extra pounds in a stroller! I can’t wait to hear about it!
I am SO looking forward to the full day of school and I know that he is too. Our district has a half day pre-K program which is phenomenal but he’s at the point where he’s ready for more and SO AM I! I can’t wait to follow your adventures in training for the Dis full. 🙂
Doo eet! Yes it is hard and time consuming, but it is worth it. I did mine because I wanted to run it before I turned 30 …and I managed to do it, with a few injuries, some tears and a crazy work schedule to boot. 🙂 Good luck! 🙂
~Lisa
Well, there’s no turning back now!!! Did you blog about your full – I want to read!
I ran it pre-blogging days, but I can write up a little something if you like. 🙂
Well, you know if you wrote it, I would read it! But no pressure. 😉
Does it count as a sign that I started running three years ago and signed up for my first full last night? (Empire State in Syracuse) I’m not sure what will happen but I’m at least going to try…
TOTALLY a sign, Nita! We are both going to rock! When is the Syracuse Empire State full?
The Syracuse Empire State is October 19th 🙂
Wow, that’s a big undertaking!! But I have all the confidence in the world in you, and if you decide to go for it, you can be assured that I’ll be cheering you on the whole way. <3
Thank you so much, hun. I’m going to need those cheers!!!
about a year ago, i was in your shoes. contemplating a full and super nervous about it. i pulled the trigger in april after boston and ran richmond that fall (nov). i just finished my second (trail) marathon saturday. do it. it’s an incredible experience that you will love regardless of how the actual race goes! i’ve heard great things about the philly full!
I read your trail marathon recap and I was blown away – because I feel like a marathon is a challenge in itself but add the TRAIL element and it’s just WHEWSH! (Hopefully that makes sense!) The Philly full as a spectator is phenomenal so I’m expecting good things as a runner. 🙂
I do believe in signs, and it looks like its your time. I have run a marathon after having a really great 10k race. It was one of the hardest yet rewarding thing I have done for myself. I am actually going to attempt it again this fall. While I know things won’t be like the first time but I know I can do it. You can do it and if I ever decide to do a full outside of Maryland Philly looks like a great one!
Very cool, Meg! So you are going to be running Maryland in the fall then??? Will you be at the Nike Women’s half in DC at the end of this month? So many great races in this area!
I am going to run the Baltimore Marathon. I am not doing the Nike Women’s half, but I am running Cherry Blossom this weekend!
Once you start thinking like that, it’s pretty much inevitable that you’re going to try one at some point. Sounds like Philly would be a great setup for you. Trust me, even if the race doesn’t go the way you want it to, you won’t have any regrets that you tried.
Thank you, Ben! I’m mainly concerned about my foot at this point but I figure with proper training and positivity, I’ll be able to conquer 26.2. 🙂
I’m on the same fence as you are, but I have another 22 days to decide. I’m thinking the WDW marathon to be my first as the timing works out really well. I think you should do it! And Happy Birthday.
P.S. I got Veronica Mars on iTunes and it was good. Loved all the inside jokes.
I bounced back and forth between Philly and WDW – you’ll have to let me know what you decide to do! And YESSSSS for Veronica Mars – I’m glad you were able to track it down. 🙂
EEK! I had the biggest grin on my face the entire blog post! I am half way between HELL NO NEVER and Hmmmm…. Maybe someday…. (I can’t believe I’ve just admitted that out loud btw!) Go for it, you’ve got this!!
Tyra… I’m so happy to see you over here!!! And see, now that you’ve said it out loud (say it, out loud…) it’s only a matter of time. 😉 Do you have your eye on a particular race?
🙂 ILY and your Twi reference. hehe I’d say that my eye would be on the Portland Marathon…. It’s early October, so the weather is nice and cool and they put on such a great race. (plus it’s flat which is nearly impossible to find in Seattle) I love the Portland half, and hubby loves their full. It was his first full, so I think it’d be cool if it was my first full also… 🙂 I’m signed up for the half this year, so it’d have to be in 2015. I think that’d be enough time to prepare. haha I’m doing 10 half marathons this year so that will either burn me out or light a serious fire! Can’t wait to follow your progress! xo
TEN half marathons this year? Amazing. Lots of RnR for you? I am trying to be smart with my race planning… we’ll see how that goes! 😉
Yup! Funny thing is that whenever people ask me about running, the first thing I tell them is that I hate running. Lol I must not if I am doing 10 this year! 4 are RnR’s… The rest are in Wa and Or. Only one in Seattle proper this year. The hills just hurt sooooo much. 🙁 What training program do you follow?
I have no doubt that you can do this. You will be great! I’ll be cheering loudly from the Windy City
xoxo
As I will be cheering for you during NYC!!! I might need pep talks along the way.
I don’t know how to tell you this, but you’ve kinda already committed. It’s a done deal. You’re doing the marathon. Now go get yourself a Philly pretzel and some Philly soul and GET MOVING.
I know, Nicole. I know. It’s a done deal. Might be rocking the straight jacket for awhile after this. Can one wear a straight jacket and run a marathon?
it might be a little tough to get the arms swinging but I think you can totally pull it off.
Do it! You are 2 times the runner I am and I am signing up for my first half. Another sign…Happy Birthday!
Thanks Jenna – I feel fully insane but ready! I’m excited for you and your first half – can’t wait to hear about how it goes for you. 🙂
You can do it! I’ll cheer you on from way over here! 🙂
Thanks Audra! I expect you and T to be carb loading at Bensi on my behalf. 😉
You should do Philly, I did it a couple years ago and loved it!
As you know, I’m all set to go! I’m so excited… and nervous… but mostly excited.
Do it!!! Philly marathon is awesome. I loved it. Doing NYC nov 2 and Philly too. So excited for the falll
Thanks so much, Natalie! The fall is going to be here before we know it – so crazy!
Do it!!!! It will be so much fun in Philly! I’m also playing around with the idea of running a full someday and I think if I were going to be living in Philly through the fall I would totally sign up for this race. I also think race registrations are the best presents so go for it!
You know how much I love Philly – it was so helpful to run the five miler on Saturday there to really firm up my decision!
I’m very proud of you, Mer! You’re going to rock this!
Thanks B! I sure hope so!
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