Marathons are hard. They take months of preparation, involving grueling training runs, and a lot of dedication. Marathon runners are tough people, but that doesn't mean that we love every second of the training...or the actual race. Here are 26 thoughts that runners have during 26.2 miles.
Mile one: WOOO this is so exciting! Look at all these people cheering. Everyone look so happy! This is great.
Mile two: I've never seen so many runners in my life. This is so cool.
Mile three: Should I smile and look happy for the race photographers? Or should I keep my face serious and look like an intense runner who is about to smash her marathon personal best?
Mile four: Still feel amazing. I could definitely pick up my pace a little.
Mile five: These signs people made are hilarious. I wish I was that creative. "I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 26.2" That's great. I wonder if I have any Taylor Swift songs on this running playlist? I hope so, now 22 is stuck in my head.
Mile six: What if my iPod dies and I don't have any music to listen to for the next 20 miles?? That would suck.
Mile seven: I wonder where my family is. I hope I don't miss them when I run past. I feel like this is the best thing in the world, I wonder if it's as fun for them to watch?
Mile eight: I remember when running eight miles seemed so hard. I've come a long way. Go, me.
Mile nine: One more mile until double digits! Then it'll start feeling real. Single digits are too easy.
Mile 10: Hit the double digits. Still killing it.
Mile 11: 11 down, 15.2 to go. That's not that long, right?
Mile 12: Double digits are overrated.
Mile 13.1: Ok, half marathon. Sweet. Halfway there. Wait....ONLY HALFWAY THERE, as in I still have 13.1 more miles to go. Sh*t.
Mile 14: Officially over halfway done now. I got this.
Mile 15: This is like a MILEstone, right? 15 miles. That's a lot of miles. I'm getting tired. I wonder if people will be giving out snacks soon?
Mile 16: 10 LEFT. I can run 10 miles in my sleep. That's like an easy day of training.
Mile 17: Ok, single digits now. Nine more miles. God, I'm tired. Where are the snacks at??
Mile 18: What was I thinking during mile 4, trying to pick up my pace? I'm an idiot.
Mile 19: I've already run 19 miles before most of the people I know have even woken up. Think of all the things I could have done in the time it's taken me to run these 19 miles.
Mile 20: I feel like my legs are going to fall off. I ran 20 miles in training, why does this feel so much harder?
Mile 21: WHY DID I DO THIS TO MYSELF. WHYWHYWHYWHY? Who thought it would be fun to run 26.2 miles in the freezing cold at 7 am? Actually, who thought it was a good idea to run 26.2 miles in general???
Mile 22: I don't even know if my legs are even attached anymore. I fee like I'm dragging two tree stumps along.
Mile 23: Ok, power of positive thinking. You got this. You are a strong, confident, athletic goddess. 3 more.
Mile 24: TWO MORE. Did I ever even run only two miles during training? I can just pretend I haven't run 24 miles already today and that I'm going out for a nice, easy 2-miler.
Mile 25: I can do this. One more mile. Plus that extra .2, but that's basically still a mile. One. more. mile.
Mile 26.2: I DID IT! THAT WAS AMAZING. I can't wait to do this again.
