In the deep of the marathon, I hate it. I question why I signed up. I question who I am. I forget why I signed up for it in the first place. Now I realize that it’s imperative that I hate it. That its hard. That it hurts. I say yes to something that challenges me, put in hard work training, fight myself through the race and overcome. I achieve. I cross the finish line. Whether I went fast or slow, gave it all or wanted to die, I did it. And the takeaway that I set a big goal and fulfilled it is really what it’s all about. It’s what makes runners strong. It gives us a sense of pride and a new understanding of ourselves that we’ll take with us on the next run and a strength that we’ll apply to the next big challenge.
I can’t wait for December 8th when I tackle 50 miles. It’ll hurt. I’ll regret signing up. I’ll question if I have what it takes to finish. But I hope with everything inside of me that I’ll give everything I have to cross that finish line and smile like I’ve never smiled before.
Do you have a love/hate relationship with running?
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I saw the title of this post and thought “Yes!” I know 100% how you feel. I feel like running is this love/hate relationship sometimes. I love it so much after a run but during a run it can feel awful sometimes.
Whitney @ Yoga Pancake recently posted..Never Do This
GET OUT OF MY BRAIN! This is exactly how I feel too. I hate it, I tell myself I’m never signing up for another race again…and then I cross the finish line and I’m like “That was AMAZING! When’s the next one!? Let’s do that again!”.
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Awesome post! I can identify with your thoughts on this subject. I think no matter what workout you do you struggle with self doubt and hate.
NYC Fit GIrl recently posted..Staying Active Over Thanksgiving!
My *exact* thoughts about running!
Such a cool photo!
erin recently posted..500K!
Yes! You’ve totally expressed every single running sentiment of mine!!!
Congrast, btw, on finishing another marathon and finishing strong!!!
JenJ recently posted..Like a Fish Out of Water
yep! I’m in the middle of that pre-ultra nerves where I think that trying my first ultra at 40 miles instead of 50k, and in Georgia instead of eastern NC is a really bad idea. I can see ironman training starting in february and lots of rest in between ultra and ironman training start day, and that might drive me insane or make me fat. So right now I feel like whining about it like a little girl.
Carolina John recently posted..Big Week Done! Hello taper.
I love it! you are sooo right. And I feel this same way about life and pushing myself to the “finish”. I have some things I’m wanting to accomplish in the short term. I won’t give up.
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This is really important! Good on you for being honest, but also understanding it and pushing through. I know what you mean about hating it half way – and that’s part of the process. Being able to push through that is why we love it
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Kate recently posted..Just. Run.
I so hate running. Hate it. I slog along. My legs hurt. My lungs burn. But sometimes, for a few minutes, I’m like “hey, I’m running and I couldn’t do this 10 months ago. That’s kind of cool.” And then I go back to hating it.
But I’m doing a turkey trot tomorrow morning and signed up for a half marathon in May.
Just hate.
I loved. Now I long for a run! It took years to love and I love it more now that I can’t ( I think)! Can’t wait to tie my shoes and start my garmin <— I secretly keep it charged. I would kill to run a race.
I ran a half marathon in 2010 and decided that running distance wasn’t my thing. Heck running in general is just boring for me, 5k is my preference, 10k my boredom limit. Even mile 2 of a 5k I’m thinking “why am I doing this”. People need to realise that running isn’t for everyone, or staying with 5ks is OK! I’ve made the decision that I’m going to just try and decrease my 5k time
distance is for nuts like you that run 50 milers 
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YES. i am always looking forward to the end/finishing the run, but love the feeling of accomplishment afterwards. i’d say that 9/10 times, i’m really not loving how i feel during a run.
Who doesn’t have a love/hate relationship with running? I think that’s how it is for everyone. Still, when you’re loving running, you’re really loving running.
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Just found your blog and love it!:) Good luck on the 50 miles!
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