This may be a stretch, but as marathon training and a new school year started just a week apart, I couldn’t help but notice the similarities between the two. Let me point out that I am not a teacher, and I work a 12 month schedule so I can’t directly relate to people who go back to school in the fall. But my job changes a lot from when the kids are off in the summer (when I mostly do paperwork and trainings, and try to take some vacations), to when they kids come back and things get crazy and hectic:)
- When you are getting ready to train for a marathon, you come up with a plan, and have expectations that this will be the best training cycle and marathon yet! Same goes for going back to school- you start to plan for the upcoming year and have great expectations for a new beginning.
- You experience a lot of emotions about the new start: You’re nervous, excited, a little sad maybe, and hopeful.
- You can’t resist going shopping for some new clothes/gear/supplies.
- The first day is like a clean slate. That first run, that first day of school, its a new beginning and you can forget about the past when things may not have gone according to plan.
- You’re feeling refreshed from a break, but also ready to work hard again.
- Once you get started you start to look forward to breaks again. You start to get tired faster than you expected and count down to days off.
- After you are a few weeks in, you start to get overwhelmed, tired, and stressed out again. You start questioning why you do this?
- There are many highs and lows. Some days you just want to cry and other days you are so proud of what you do.
- You start to look forward to when it will end- but you know you still have a long way to go.
- You might gain a few pounds throughout the process due to an increased hunger and being unable to turn down treats.
- Suddenly the end is in sight- things slow down, and the mixed feelings start to come back- is it really gonna be all over soon?
- That last day/the marathon is the most exciting day of it all- but you are also having many other emotions making it hard for you to just enjoy it.
- All of a sudden its all over again. At first you appreciate the break but you quickly get bored and start looking forward to the next one again. You try to focus on relaxing and giving yourself a break- but who are you kidding? That’s just not your personality.
We do it because we love it. It can be challenging, frustrating, and stressful at times but in the end you know you couldn’t imagine NOT doing it!
Good luck to all the teachers, school staff, and kids heading back to school (and their parents!) Here’s to a MARVELOUS school year and training cycle!
If you work in a school/go to school/have kids in school- can you relate to any of these things? Anything I forgot?
So true. I used to love the anticipation of school, getting books, supplies, getting set up. Maybe I like marathons and such because I miss school 😉
Maybe! There’s something about a fresh start that just gets me excited!
All great points. I never thought of it that way. Although I would train for a marathon any day before wanting to go back to school:)
Haha yes, me too!
This was so good and so true! I never thought about it like that!! The only thing I would add is all of the new “students” in your class — I’ve been running with a different running group so I’ve got old and new friends that I’m running with now. Have a great day!
That’s a great addition to the list! Thanks for sharing:)
I can’t believe it’s the school year again. I feel like we never really even had a summer. (Probably because the weather has been so weird.) This is such a legit comparison though! 🙂
I know, right! I feel like it was just winter and we were waiting for summer…and part of me still feels like I’m waiting so its confusing me that its over already. I am so scared of winter!
I laughed out loud at this remembering how I felt going to school and now with training. You are spot on!
Crazy, right?! I think I only noticed it because both fell so close together.
Shopping’s my favourite part 😉 Seasonal changes bring new clothes! haha
Yes! I’ve been soo in the mood to buy new running clothes AND work clothes lately!
So true – especially the ups and downs thing! I’ve never thought about it this way, though. Good luck with the beginning of your busier season!
Yes! We all know that training will never be 100% great (just like a school year) but its important to remember that it’s not all bad! (Hopefully!)
I love this!! I might be partial though because I am a teacher! I get to experience both at one time!
Haha yes! I’m sure you can relate to all of these things! Good luck with your school year and your training:)
I love this!! I hope your school year is smooth sailing and not so hectic!! (I really am lol-ing as I write that–a ‘hectic-free’ school year—HA!!!
I know right!! I don’t think that ever happens. But here’s to the best school year possible!
While I haven’t run a marathon yet, I can completely agree with this! Oh here’s to a new season!
I’m sure it can apply to most beginnings in life:)
Very true!
Especially the correlation of school supplies/running gear–such happiness mixed with expectations (of grandeur!).
Here’s to a new year/new plan!
Haha yes exactly!
Great post! I feel like I was just having the end of year chat with my younger son – he wanted the summer to be there, but had been unable to line up a full-time job, and wasn’t ready to leave his sophomore year behind … so many mixed emotions! Can’t believe my boys start their junior and senior years in a week!
That is so exciting! I hope they both have great school years!
While I’ve never gone through marathon training, your points are wonderful. I love going back to school, it’s so refreshing. It sounds like you’ve had a nice “fresh” start with your new training plan! This can definitely apply to so many things, I love it 🙂
Exactly! I think it can apply to most beginnings in life.