Summer is finally here! If you’re like me, then I am sure you have a long list of films and television shows to catch up on while we still have no official academic obligations. One of my favorite things to do, however, is re-watch old favorites, such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy or Harry Potter series. It is always such a bittersweet exercise in nostalgia to revisit the stuff of my childhood, but for some reason, I cannot help but feel obligated to do so. And of course, it is tradition that these must be seen as a marathon. Go big or go home, everyone.
There are right ways and wrong ways to do a marathon – some times you will feel like death has enveloped you, and yet other times you can get away with a mild numbness in your brain. As someone who has attempted a marathon several times in the past, I’ve experienced the full spectrum of post-marathon states of mind. Without further ado, here are my tips to get the best marathon experience this summer.
1. Plan in advance.
Know exactly what you are going to watch, how you are going to watch it, and how long the entire series will take. Popular film choices are the entire Marvel Universe works (in chronological order), the Star Wars series (two ways to view these movies), the Harry Potter series, and the two Tolkien trilogies (LOTR with/out the Hobbit films). However, you can literally marathon whatever you want to binge on – come up with your own order of films or shows to watch. Regardless of what you are viewing, be sure to tally the total number of hours, and plan your day(s) wisely.
2. Surround yourself with a good group of people (or do it by yourself, should you wish).
I always find it easier to get through a long stretch of sitting and literally staring at a screen if I am surrounded by my friends. It helps if you can turn the movie or television show experience into a drinking game, just to liven things up and to keep people engaged.
3. Food – gets lots.
This is a fairly simple tip – snacking is great, and it helps to keep you awake. Go for foods that are somewhat balanced so you do not feel too full and thus sleepy. I always try to get pretzels, popcorn, hummus, carrots, celery and tons of fruit. If you are a fan of coffee, keep the pot full at all times. If you like both coffee and alcohol, try an Irish coffee. And just like any physical workout, stay hydrated. A marathon like this is fun, but it can get quickly exhausting.
4. Do not be afraid to take breaks.
I know some people consider it a badge of honor to not sleep while embarking upon marathon. But we all have very different schedules, and some of us do not have the luxury to simply spend a few days in front of a screen. When I watch the eight HP films with my mom, we start on a Sunday night and try to get in at least one film each day. I know this technically means it’s not a marathon, but it works for our schedules.
If you are able to devote a day or two, still allow yourself some time to ‘rest.’ Whether this is taking a power nap (helps if you have friends there) or if its taking a break to go for a walk, do not feel pressured into staying put because I guarantee that you will accidentally fall asleep for much longer than you had intended.
5. Allocate time to sleep afterwards.
If you are not breaking up a series into smaller, more manageable chunks, then please allow your body to receive a decent amount of sleep. You will not be able to make up for the lost hours of sleep, however, but you will feel much better.
Have a wonderful summer, and enjoy your marathons!