Sarah Wenzel is a second-year PharmD candidate at the University of California, San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
I have always had a love for all things active—basketball, rock climbing, weightlifting, volleyball, ping pong, you name it. Running especially has always been a favorite of mine for its accessibility. There’s a world of trails and sidewalks to roam as far as my feet can carry me. I love the smell of the air in the morning, watching the sun rise, and hearing the birds chirp as I trot past on my mentally mapped routes.
However, I started experiencing feelings of stagnancy. Though I was pursuing professional and academic goals, I felt like my personal goals were put to the wayside. I needed something to work toward, not for an employer or school program but for me.
The real challenge is showing up every day
I’d never run a race before, not even a 5k. So of course, I started small and signed up for a half marathon 4 months out; 13.1 miles in my hometown. Though I had never run close to half that, I figured clicking the “agree” button under the nonrefundable agreement was motivation enough not to waste $125.
The most surprising thing I learned about training for a race is that running is the easiest part. Most people that sign up for a half marathon love running so much that they’re willing to dish out well over $100 for it. Rather, the challenge is showing up every day. It’s getting out for a run rain or shine, tired or energized, happy or sad. It’s choosing to show up for yourself, and you alone, that is much harder than I could have imagined. Despite this, with consistency and determination, slowly but steadily, my mileage increased over the following months of training.
You’re gonna go far, kid
Finally, race day. Northern California was cold in March, and I hopped around doing little exercises partially to keep warm and partially to shake out the nerves. Thousands of runners in outfits ranging from sleek leggings to colorful tutus surrounded me. Then the countdown: three, two, one, and we were off!
The race was incredible, as my family cheered on the sidelines and strangers held up motivational signs all along the way. Each passing mile was a small victory. First 5k down, first 10k down, halfway done, 15k down. By mile 10, it hit me: I’m really doing this. For the last 4 months, all the early mornings, hard days, sore knees, and aching feet built the foundation for this moment.
And then I did it, “Sarah Wenzel, 1 hour 59 minutes.” My first half marathon completed. For me and me alone.
The edge of glory
Does this mean you need to lace up your running shoes and run dozens of miles with David Goggins blaring in your headphones? Absolutely not. But discovering your passions and pursuing new goals for your personal interests is just as fulfilling as the pursuit of a degree. Personally, it motivated me to push further for myself, and I have since run three more half marathons and two full marathons all here in California.
Your challenges become a metric to what you can overcome: “Well if I can run a marathon, I can definitely go to class.” It empowers you to push further and stay consistent with your goals. It has taught me it is equally important to show up for yourself as it is to show up for work, school, or anyone else’s expectations.