So, you would like to know how well my running went this past weekend? Ok. To be exact, I ran 1.09 miles. I know you are jealous. It’s hard not to be. I’m the epitome of the perfect runner.
Am I walking here? Rockin’ the pigtail buns.
I started out with great intentions. I was going to do 18 miles on Saturday and 6 miles on Sunday, per my training schedule.
Suddenly it was Friday evening and I found myself changing my schedule around 10:00pm. This is a bad sign for me and I must alert myself next time. My rationale was that I would run 6 miles on Saturday so I could run with a group on Sunday. Well, Saturday came and went and I had loads of fun, which didn’t include running but instead my activities centered around eating. Shocking, yes? I decided I was better off resting and carbo-loading in preparation my long run the following day. Then Sunday morning came upon me and I was in bed sound asleep cozy as can be at the exact time the group began their run. So much for all of the carbo-loading, but I suppose I was burning off calories in my sleep? I told myself I would have a leisurely breakfast, do some writing and then would go out for my run later in the afternoon. You see where this is going…
3:30pm came and went and I finally got myself out the door with a playlist full of new songs to motivate me. I ran over to Central Park and decided I would stop by The Boathouse to use the restroom. Afterward, I began running up “Cat Hill.” After about five seconds I stopped and pulled off the road and decided I wouldn’t run. Then I promised myself a cold beer after my run if I finished and got myself back on the road and continued up the hill. I barely reached the top and decided I was definitely not running. I absolutely couldn’t get myself to run two more feet, yet alone 18 miles.
I walked home with my tail between my legs and felt disappointed in myself and became tense thinking about how I would explain this situation to my coach. Well, I did just that. I told him the truth. He responded that he wasn’t surprised and knew this would happen. He was a little concerned about me attempting to run three marathons in one season from the start. He is understanding and gives great advice so I felt better after speaking with him about my current training situation. He’s always reasonable and makes perfect sense.
We came to the agreement that I am a little burnt out from having just run a marathon less than a month ago and now I’m preparing for marathon number two in only six weeks. I finally bit the bullet and deferred my entry into the NYC Marathon for this year. It was a very sad decision for me. Regarding the Las Vegas Marathon in December, my coach suggested I defer or at least drop down to the half marathon. I haven’t gotten that far in my decision-making process.
What I do know is that running has changed my life. Running is a part of me now.
The marathon is my favorite distance. Go big or go home. What I also know if I’m being honest with myself is that I haven’t properly trained for the last few marathons that I have run. I’ve painfully run through them and come out on the other side. This is not how I want to run my races. I want to feel good about them and I want to feel invigorated along the way. I enjoy the training process just as much as the race itself.
What I am learning is that I shouldn’t sign up for 1000 races at one time simply because I cannot help myself. I’m addicted to signing up for races and planning fun outings. I need to breathe deep and take it down a notch. If I want to see myself improve and become a fitter, stronger person I need to take baby steps to get there. I need to rebuild and recharge. I cannot keep running races with my body dragging.
I still plan on signing up for multiple races but will be more strategic in my race planning process moving forward. Everyone is different but this will work best for me. Yes, I do still plan on running a marathon in every state one day, just not in one season. Unfortunately, I’m not a rock star like that to pull it off.
My other main running goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Since those are my two long-term running goals, I also have shorter-term aspirations. I would like to PR on my half marathon goal time next year. I would also like to PR on my sprint and Olympic distance triathlon times next season. Finally, I’m eyeing a 5K in March in which I want to PR the heck out of, thank you very much. Maybe, just maybe I will sign up for and conquer a spring marathon. This is yet to be determined.
Everything in life is a lesson learned and I’m happy to be a part of the process. I’m grateful that I have such a passion for life and that I grab life by the balls. This is most important to me. As an old friend once told me, “Keep on keepin’ on.”
