There’s a funny thing about running a marathon.
People treat and look at you differently once you accomplish it.
Perhaps it is because we’ve become accustomed to seeing extraordinary people perform what seem to be super-human abilities.
This kind of reminds me of some ironically genius lyrics fromOk Go’s “What To Do.
(Ironic because I find that line and the song to be pretty exceptional).
But running a marathon and the experience of training for one and finally achieving it is far from ordinary.
And anyone who gets it done is far from average or mediocre.
I also can’t stop smiling.
Running a marathon is something I never really thought I could do, and I did it!
My inbox has been flooded with uplifting congratulatory notes.
Gifts and awesome boxes of cookies come from friends and colleagues.
It seriously feels like Christmas more than a month early.
I’m going to run marathons all the time!!!!”
But you could always count on Kevin to give it to you straight.
“Are you kidding?,” he quipped back.
“This is a one time thing.
On your next one everyone is just going to say ‘Oh…she’s doing THAT again.'”
And this brings me to the big question of will I or won’t I do it again?
It’s actually the first question anyone asks me these days.
It’s a question that was being asked even before I crossed the finish line.
My college friend Sarah White Albertyn who has run several marathons told me that a weird thing happens.
I’ve also been cramming as many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich foods down my throat as possible.
But I’m also making other plans…
I guess all along I haven’t been looking at this as “my first marathon” for nothing.
Saying there’s a “first” implies there’s going to at least be a second, right?
It’s also changed my life.
I’ve realized I’ve already been doing it for months!
Getting that first marathon medal around my neck simply seals the deal.
Kafi Drexel is the Health & Fitness Reporter for NY1 News in New York City.