The Promises Runners Make in the Post-Race Euphoria… Then Regret
Once the finish-line arch is behind them, whatever the distance, runners are riding a wave of euphoria and endorphins. Exhaustion, excitement and a distinct lack of judgment can lead to some seriously ill-advised declarations… We listened in and rounded up the best lines overheard after a race. You’ll probably recognise yourself in at least one of them…
✓ Here’s a roundup of some of the gems overheard near race finish areas.
“Never again”
A classic, but hardly ever believable. Some runners say it all the time, yet they’re often the same people you’ll see lining up for another race the following Sunday.
“I should have done the other distance”
Fueled by a burst of enthusiasm and a surprisingly good-looking set of legs, the half marathon clearly wasn’t enough for this runner. There’s a hint of regret at not taking on the main event: the marathon.
“I’m flying, let’s do it again next weekend”
Really? You’re sure? Two marathons in 10 days is a lot, isn’t it? Well… don’t say we didn’t warn you. Or at least, you read it here.
“Come on, let’s keep this going. Next up: the 100K in Millau”
Hmm… A half marathon and 100 kilometres aren’t quite the same thing. Still, they say where there’s a will, there’s a way.
“Never running on asphalt again”
Trail running is hard too, you know. And more often than not, you’ll need to add elevation gain to those kilometres.
“I’m sure I can take five minutes off”
Probably. But five minutes over 10K? That’s no small ask. Keep at it: with the right training, you can get there!
“It’s so easy, I could cruise through a half”
Yes, because you’re pacing your friend through a seven-kilometre village race. There’s a bit of a gap between 7 and 21 kilometres. Be careful, though, or that first half marathon could bite back.
“Next time, I won’t race all-out so I can really enjoy the atmosphere”
We know it isn’t true. All-out once, all-out every time. You won’t be able to hold back. Care to bet?
“Next race, we’ll run together”
But we all know one of them is going to pick up the pace and drop the other… Lying doesn’t look good on you.
“I’m going to run the course again in training”
False. Completely false. For one thing, you’re never going to run 30 kilometres on your own in training. And for another, your sense of direction won’t let you recreate the route exactly: you’ll get lost in the side streets.
“I’m joining a club on Monday”
Riding high on motivation, you can already see yourself joining the elite squad. Then Monday arrives. And somehow, the thought of a rainy uphill run feels a lot less appealing.
“This time, I’m making a proper training plan”
Yes, yes, a spreadsheet with everything neatly laid out: precise paces, interval sessions, the lot. And then, in the end, it’s back to “running by feel”, with a tracking app that hasn’t been opened since last October.
“I’m giving up alcohol until the marathon”
The classic post-race promise. It lasts until… the free beer at the finish.
“I’m never eating pizza before a race again”
Until the pre-race pasta party turns into a pizza party the night before. Because carbs are carbs, right?
“That’s it, I’m doing a triathlon now”
Why settle for running when you can swim, bike and run? Until you realise you have to get up at 6 a.m. for a few pool lengths on a Thursday morning.
We laugh, we promise, we swear it’s the last one… and yet we always go back for more.
In short, the finish line is often the perfect place to hear one unlikely declaration after another. Somewhere between despair and bravado… Let’s still take a moment to congratulate every runner who makes it across the line. Well done.