I don’t feel any different

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It’s the big day. My 21st birthday. Do I feel any older? No. Not in the least.

Birthdays have never been big for me. They’re usually pretty go with the flow, either at swim meets or on weekends skiing with my family. I remember some where my parents actually forgot it was my birthday (even though they’d never admit it) and I wouldn’t see them until 10 when I got home from swim practice. I could take a trip down memory lane outlining some of the big ones and bore you to tears, but I won’t. Actually, on second thought, I might, simply because a few have some pretty good stories behind them.

There was the time I had my preschool class over for a game of musical chairs that ended with me in tears (I get competitive, okay?)…

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The times I went skiing for the weekend with friends and had to improvise on a cake…

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The times the big day fell on our state championship for swimming…

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The time my friends surprised me with a pizza party and ended with a trip to the dollar store…

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And the time I spent the day in Florida with my grandparents and the night with a couple friends back at school… with a special delivery from my mom to look forward to the next morning

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What does this year bring, you might ask? The expectation is this:

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The reality?

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cake and cheesy processed snacks are all I need

Today is pretty much a regular day for me and the beginning of my spring break. I’ll be celebrating all week long between my school friends, blog friends, and in 2 days, my family. And tonight won’t be too crazy since I’ll be running the rock n’ roll half in the morning! I do want to make it across the finish line without dying.

**EDITED TO ADD: I won’t be running the half anymore. I made the decision last night after practice that my body is breaking down from all the running and it’s not the time to try and push the mileage when I have some really big races coming up that I’m actually allowed to do. There will be plenty of other halfs this summer and after I graduate; I don’t want to be stupid now and regret it later when I can’t run anymore**

How do you celebrate your birthdays?

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48 thoughts on “I don’t feel any different”

  4. Happy birthday! My 21st is coming up and I have a feeling ill feel the same way, but I’m do ready to embrace the wine tasting world haha! Good for you for listening to your body and deciding not to do the half, you will just rock the next one you do even more!

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  10. Happy 21st birthday! I hope it is a fantastic day and you spend it however you like! :) I spend bdays with my parents and boyfriend having a nice dinner and usually a night out dancing with my girlfriends.

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  12. Happiest Birthday Wishes Sarah!

    I love hearing about how everyone celebrates their birthdays so differently. Mine’s coming up in a few weeks so I guess I’ve got to start thinking about that :)

    I bet that was a hard decision to not run the half, but I think you made the right one for you and your body. Plenty of other fun stuff to do this weekend though… A half is only like, what? Two or three hours out of twenty-four?

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  13. Happy Birthday, lady!! I’ve hotta say that your improvised cake looks pretty darn tasty ;) I’ve been liking quiet birthdays more and more the older I get, but I had some pretty crazy ones when I was younger. Nothing will ever beat the excitement of celebrating birthdays as a little kid though… Those were the best :)

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  14. Happy birthday!!

    Your day doesn’t have to have be anything more than you make it. My 21st wasn’t wild and crazy either, and it was still a fun and awesome birthday. Don’t stress yourself out – just do whatever makes you happy. I love tat you have so many pictures of your birthdays throughout the years. I may have to try and dig some old photos up – it’s good to look back and see how far we’ve come :)

    Sorry to hear about the half, but it sounds like its the smartest and best decision. Last thing you want is your body to break down. I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself!

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  15. Happy birthday! Don’t worry, my 21st birthday was totally underwhelming, too. I came home from work and my roommate had a big chocolate cake waiting for me, using mini bottles of liquor as replacements for candles…except I don’t drink, so she got the liquor and I got the cake ;) Hope you have a marvelous day, regardless of whether you feel any different. Do something totally and completely just for you!

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  17. Happy birthday, Sarah! I hope yours is awesome… I’m glad you get to start your spring break.

    And way to listen to your body about the half. I know it’s HARD, but races happen every weekend. You’re amazing for making the right choice :D

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  19. Happy Birthday, Sarah — I hope it’s your best one yet! Smart decision (albeit a difficult one) regarding the half marathon…it just isn’t worth it, and you’re right that there will be plenty more to run. Have a great weekend!

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  23. Happy Birthday!! I always love birthdays but just seem to sing Happy Birthday to myself all day long, so I never really get crazy or over-the-top and I HATE surprise parties.

    So glad that you recognized your body’s need to rest and I know that you will not regret that decision at all! Have a great birthday!

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  24. Happy birthday, girl!!! I totally respect your decision not to run, though I did give you an awesome shoutout on my blog. Rest those legs, lady! And have a FANTASTIC weekend :)

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  27. Happpppyyyyt birrrtthhhhdayyyyy!! I hope its the best one to date, girl :) and i’m glad that you’re not running tomorrow…doing what you need to do for your health is more important than anything else!!

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  28. Happy Birthday!! Who cares if you don’t go all out and party for your 21, do whatever will make you the most happy! Haha which reminds me.. I had two exams on my 21st birthday – pchem and physics … best birthday ever!

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  29. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I HAD to come and say it on here too! :)

    p.s. I think it’s great that you did what YOU wanted instead of what people THINK you should do on your 21st. Rock on girl.

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  32. Happy happy happy birthday, Sarah!! Congrats on turning the big 2-1! I really hope you have a fantastic celebration, regardless of whether or not alcohol is involved. And way to be smart with the half! I think that was a really wise and mature decision of you to make, so super A+ to you :)

    I generally go out to eat on my birthday and OF COURSE order dessert (which doesn’t always happen when I go out to eat), but mostly spend the entire day being ridiculously happy about the fact that it’s MY DAY. Haha. I’m very grown up and blasé about the whole thing, obviously ;)

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  33. Happy Birthday! And have fun at your ½ – Good Luck! I agree that I don’t feel any different on my birthday, but it is still a nice change of pace and it is fun to do something – whether it is eating a cupcake, or going out with family and friends – to celebrate!

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  36. Happy birthday girly!!! :) Your version of partying hard is pretty on par to my partying hard. Honestly, I think my friends pretty much forced me to get drunk on my 21st. I enjoy being lame.

    And good for you for listening to your body – you’re right. There are plenty of halfs in your future. This just wasn’t one of them. Rest up & enjoy your spring break!!

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  40. Happy Birthday Sarah!! :) My 21st was pretty low mileage because I just started a new job and didn’t really know anyone. My dad and I ended up going out for dinner a few nights later. Tough cookies about the half, but you’re in the right mindset that there will be others to run :) Just enjoy your day (run as much or as little as you want) and make yourself happy!
    I wish I could send you a bagel hahaha

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  41. Happy Birthday!!! We all have some great bday stories :) Good choice listening to your body! It’s not worth it to push yourself too much. Hope it was just what you wanted!

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  42. I hope you had a wonderful birthday girl! Birthdays for other people are my favorite to celebrate. Your birthdays through the years look so fun and I bet this one will be no different :D

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  45. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I saw the drink pic on facebook – I hope whatever it was you enjoyed it! :D . surprise parties from friends sound like a ton of fun, I’ve actually never had one before lol. I think the decision not to run RnR is a REALLY smart one – training for halfs and training for 5k/10k on the track are just so different and it’s pretty impossible to do both at the same time without 1. getting injured or 2. not doing as well as you want in one or both races…..focus on your track season, THEN you can run all the halfs you want once you’ve dominated the 10k! :-D

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