Well friends, here comes the announcement I did not want to have to make.
I’m not going to run the Route 66 Marathon anymore.
I am, however, going to run the Route 66 Half Marathon.
When I started the process of training for a marathon, my hopes were high and I was unbelievably excited for the journey.
Then, life got in the way.
It’s a busy time of year for us all, and I commend those of you who have the time to commit to training for marathons. It’s proven to be too touch for me.
After my longest training run of 15 miles, I sustained an injury that has only gotten worse over time.
To top it all off, this weekend I had some sort of stomach bug and could barely move the morning of my scheduled 18.0-mile training run.
Have I mentioned that the race is less than a month away?
Laying in bed that morning – sick, hurt and exhausted – I started to beat myself up for failing at my goal.
Then I realized how ridiculous that was.
If anyone else I knew was having this predicament, I would tell them that not running the marathon was no big deal.
That there would be other marathons.
That their health was the most important thing.
So, I gave myself that little speech and it worked.
I realized that not only was it not safe for me to continue training for this marathon, I just really didn’t want to anymore.
A week ago, I would have considered changing races to be the ultimate failure, but now I realize it’s just another step in my marathon journey.
I know that I’ll run 26.2 someday. I am a runner. I love to run. I love to set goals and accomplish them.
I’m really looking forward to this half. I know I can run the distance and even though my leg isn’t healed I think I can make it through safely.
Then, I can continue looking forward and figure out what my next goal is.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me during this process.
I know I’ve been a little bit distant from the blog lately. This decision, and some other things, have been weighing heavily on my mind over the past month and I’ve been distracted.
Also, my personal computer is at the doctor, so it makes it harder to prepare good content.
I do hope you’ll stick around because I still majorly heart this little blog and plan to get back to the good stuff soon!
Happy Monday!
No worries on the training!! There’s nothing you can do if you’re injured or sick. You did the right thing by laying off an injured leg and getting rest. There will be other marathons and you will run one. I’m proud of you for being brave enough to admit that this is just not the time. You will have the time eventually- maybe next spring?
And OMG, you’re still doing the half marathon…THAT’S over 13 miles!! THAT is something to be proud of!!
Sometimes life really gets in the way! This is by no means a failure – a half is still a great distance to run. I completely understand where you at, as I was supposed to run the RnR SA full next month. I am now running the half. No shame in that. You have to put yourself first, and listen to what your body is telling you.
Good luck in the half girl, you’re gonna kill it!!
Hugs! I think you made the right choice. I Think it will be GREAT for you to get another half under your belt too. That’ll get you just feeling more and more confident for your nexk big race!
You absolutely made the right decision. Doing a half marathon is amazing on its own, and I have no doubt that you will run a full marathon someday.
You definitely made the right decision! There WILL be other marathons and you don’t want to hurt yourself. I hope everything is okay!
I think you made the right decision and most importantly, you did what is best for YOU!
AMEN TO YOUR SIL!
a half-marathon is totally something to be proud of, and now you can focus on kicking its bootay! i tell people all the time that marathon training definitely takes over your life. you need to be in a position to make it the #1 priority and if not, it’s just not the right time. i am so proud of you for taking care of yourself.
anything you want to talk about?!?!
andddd…am i going to see you at foodbuzz?!?!
love ya!
The fact that you came this far along is awesome. What is even better and more honorable is the fact that you listened to what your mind was telling you deep down and you didn’t fight it in the end.
You’ll get to run your marathon someday! Your body will thank you that you aren’t pushing it to do something it isn’t able to do at the present moment. You rock lady!
Hugging you through the internet! I think moving down to the half is the right choice for now, and I have no doubt that you will be a marathoner some day! Sorry about the other things that were weighing on your mind, hoping you figured out at least one recently.
Like you said..there will be other marathons you can run. You are still doing the half and that is a big accomplishment. Have fun and you can always do another one
I think that you made the right decision. Not to sound corny but when life throws you lemons, make lemonade
and I think you did just that. Even still, a half marathon is a huge accomplishment.
I think you’re making a smart move. And you’ll end up being much happier during the actual race day because you know you’re better prepared for it!
And I thought I was crazy that I was feeling twice as busy now that summer’s over… I guess I’m not the only one!
Sounds like you made the right decision about switching to the half. I had to do that once before too and I was bummed at first, but immediately felt a huge sense of relief afterward. That’s when I realized I made the right choice. If you feel good about your decision, it was obviously the right one for you. You’ll get 26.2 one day!
This is the “good stuff” silly, as life isn’t all unicorns and butterfly farts! Running a half marathon and living to tell the tale instead of wearing yourself into the ground is a much better option, no? Life happens–good, bad or indifferent–and every little snag is just that–a little detour. Enjoy the scenery
You already know that I think you are badass and now you’re even more so for listening to your body! And you’re right, if it were anybody else, you would have told them to let the leg heal. No worries. Memorial Marathon 2011, bay-bay!!
Detours are inevitable, and ur being really smart about it. u’ll feel so much better about ur decision knowing that u could have injured urself if u forced it. i try to think about that when i realize that im not 100% ready for the goal or challenge i set for myself. i tell myself that if i were to force it and screw up my knee or w/e than i could potentially cause more harm for any future races. u made the best decision <3
xoxo
I’m sorry you had to drop down to the half, being injured sucks. But on a high note: I’m doing the half and maybe we’ll see each other out there.
Good luck and just focus on feeling better.
That would be great! I will definitely look for you!
Lady, that is SO overwhelming but you made the write choice. The hard choice about personal fitness v. the fitness of others is that we all know what it’s like to fight through workouts and how much we can bear.
I’ll be sending good vibes towards your leg!
Yeah, don’t mess around with injuries! Running the half will definitely keep you mentally okay though. Work it sister!
I think it’s awesome that you were able to take the advice you would have given to someone else. I felt bad at first when I decided to drop out of the marathon I was training for but then I realized that running a half is still a really huge accomplishment. Heck, just running as much and as far as you have through the training process is a really big deal. I hope you’re leg heals up fast and that you have a blast running the half.
Bottom line- i think it was the right thing to do for your injury if anything. You don’t want to injure yourself further. Good luck with the half, girlfriend!!!
i think you should def be proud of yourself!
Good for you for doing what feels right and listening to your own advice!
Running a half is still a HUGE accomplishment
No worries girl – you did what is best for you, and that is most important!
I know this decision had to be SO hard for you, but you absolutely did the right thing by listening to your body. It’s not worth injuring yourself even more! If it makes you feel better, I’ve trained for 6 marathons but have only been able to run 3.
Your time WILL come – and doing the 1/2 is a huge accomplishment!
Way to go!! I know that sounds dumb, considering your announcement, but seriously – listening to your body is a SKILL, and I think you just made a major step. You’re young – there will be more time for more marathons! Take care of yourself.
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