What were we thinking?

A few weeks ago, I came across this video an improv group in Boston made about what runners think while running a marathon. I thought it was hilarious and sent it to my running partner. And I’ll share it with you:

So on Saturday, when Alisha and I were running our own half marathon, we jokes about what we’d include if we made our own video. Here’s a little of how it would go down.

Pre-race (about 6 a.m.) Mandy: I forgot my sunglasses! Alisha: I forgot my sunglasses! Mandy: I forgot the sign! (We’ve been taking a picture with a sign detailing our distance before each long run. . . .leave it to me to forget it on the last day. We remedied this by taking a picture later.) Thoughts: I’ve always wanted to wait 45 minutes for a porta-potty at 6 a.m. That was a gross experience. Eww. Wow, there are a lot of people here.

Mile 1: It’s all happening! We’re running! There. Are. So. Many. People. This is AWESOME! We are AWESOME!

Mile 2: That guy runs funny. Do I run funny? Look at the sea of people running down Broadway! Look, you can see people running on the Demonbreun Street bridge, too! Why won’t these people wave back to me?!

Mile 4: Whew! I made it up that stupid hill! Hey, there are still lots of people behind us! They’re still coming across the Broadway bridge! And, there’s a dude already at the 10 mile mark. Awesome. Sigh.

Mile 5: We’re already to mile 5! This is awesome. Where is the Cytomax table? Cytomax! Water! CYTOMAX!

Mile 6: Janice and Mindy! People I know! High Fives! Little kid I don’t know! High FIVES!

Mile 8: OK, this is kind of not fun anymore. I’m wheezing. . . . I think I drank too much Cytomax at that last table. My stomach feel sloshy.

Mile 9: When did there get to be SO many hills in Nashville? This is EVIL! I mean, who thought this was a good idea?

Mile 10: That shouty guy ahead of us is annoying. Let’s beat him! (And his pants are falling down. Gross.) When will this be over? When? Oh. My. Word. Make. It. Stop.

Mile 11: Why did I sign up for this? I paid to run this! And it’s never going to end! When did it get so hot? CYTOMAX!

Mile 12: I hate myself. I hate life. I. Cannot. Do. This. Why are we turning the wrong way? Is this a cruel joke, race planners?! OK, we can do this. We can do this. We can do this. Thank God for my friend Bob standing there wearing the Missouri shirt. Now I think I might be able to finish. Lady shouting that we’re almost there. . . .if that’s so, why can’t I see the finish line!

13.1 miles: Oh, my gosh! We finished. I can stop running. My legs feel weird! Why is this random fellow runner dude talking to me? Is he chatting me up? Is he flirting. Oh, I don’t care. Where’s the water? I’m thirsty! Yay, snacks!

And 15 minutes later when I realized our actual finish time: We finished in 2:35! WE. ARE. AWESOME!

(Immediately after this picture was taken, sweat invaded my eye and I started screaming.)

And this is just proof that I am not a sweaty, red-faced girl . . . most of the time.

In all seriousness, thanks to my running partner, Alisha. I don’t know of anyone else who could make 13.1 miles fun and put up with me after I was grumpy, mean, and rude to her during mile 12 when she was just trying to be sensible. And we finished in 2:35, which is Alisha’s best time in a half-marathon and a good one for my first. Yay, us!