Courtesy Carissa Liebowitz
I’ve run 16 marathons and I still….
Have pre-race nerves. It can start in the weeks leading up to the race, especially if I have a time goal in mind. Butterflies come in waves throughout the day before. My heart skips a beat when I get my hands on the bib.
And while I’m trying to stay busy getting to the start line in one piece with all my gear on time, my stomach is always just one giant knot.
Cannot pin my bib straight. I blame it on my left-handedness.
Have impostor syndrome. It happens usually when I’m standing in the corral waiting for the gun to go off looking around at all the other runners who seemingly look put together. Are you sure you can actually make it to the finish line?
Look at my Garmin 1,000 times in the first mile. Because I HAVE TO STAY ON PACE. Any deviation from the goal pace could spell disaster for the rest of the race. Never mind that I have literally hours to go.
Avoid the first water stop. Do you know how much water I drank yesterday? I’m so over water.
Get water everywhere but in my mouth. The first race, I didn’t know about pinching the cup. In subsequent races, the cup pinching helps to fall down my chin faster.
Laugh at signs. Especially ones about poop.
Start chafing and/or blistering somewhere. It ranges in severity, but there is always a spot I missed no matter how thorough I am with the Vaseline.
Wonder why I am out on a weekend morning running with a bunch of other weirdos. We could all be sleeping. Or drinking mimosas. But then again, these people get me!
Look at my Garmin 1,000 times in the last 2 miles. Somehow the miles get a lot longer at the end. Why am I not done yet?
Never get tired of the finish line feeling. Walking through the finish chute with a dopey smile on my face is hands down a reason to keep doing it again and again.
Thank you for sharing your story. It has inspired me, to make my goal of running the half…without stopping this time. Much thanks to you, and all the best to you and your next marathon.