Houston’s big marathon weekend is coming up, and even though I am signed up for the half marathon, I finally decided a week ago to bail on it…again. I ran in this event — usually the half but once the full — every year from 2004-2011 but haven’t done it since.
In 2012, I didn’t get in via the lottery. I was upset, but it turned out to be ok since by the time the race rolled around, I was in the first trimester of my pregnancy with Emma.
In 2013, I signed up with a group of friends and coworkers but quickly discovered that I had totally overestimated my ability to train with a newborn. I didn’t train, and therefore didn’t run.
In 2014, I was signed up and doing well, but in November I pulled a calf muscle near the end of a run. That put me off schedule, I never got back on track, and I didn’t run.
In 2015, my training was going GREAT for the first time in years! I was already up to 9 miles by the end of November! And then I discovered in December 2014 that I was pregnant with Charlotte and sat it out.
In 2016, I learned from my 2013 mistake and didn’t sign up at all, knowing I wouldn’t be ready after having Charlotte in September. Race day came and went with me feeling motivated to make a return the next year…
And that of course brings me to 2017. In order to get in to the race, you have to sign up well in advance — months or even the full year before. That far ahead of time, I always have the best of intentions! Fall rolled around and I started training and bam — I sprained my foot. That should have been a temporary setback, but instead I let it sap all motivation for any significant training just like my minor calf injury did 3 years ago. Even after my foot healed, I kept coming up with reasons (legitimate and not) to avoid doing anything longer than ~6 miles. And on December 30, instead of seizing my last chance to put in 8-9 miles at least, I decided that what I really wanted to do was take a walk with my mom.
So I did.
I’m 38 years old and I’ve been running pretty consistently since I was 23. There have been periods where I ran a lot and also some big lulls — particularly in the last 5 years that featured two pregnancies and the resulting small children — but overall I’ve been “a runner” for more than 15 years now. My reaction to each of the half marathons I’ve backed out of has been to dutifully sign up again for the following year. “This year it’s gonna happen!” I say confidently.
A smarter person would argue that there’s another takeaway: training for a long distance race is not a priority in this phase of my life. I’m typically a goal-oriented person, and I’ve run a LOT of races over the years. Admitting that my interest in them waned is tough, for reasons I don’t even fully understand. But I think it’s true. Races aren’t the motivator they once were.
As 2017 gets underway, I’ve decided to (hopefully) wisen up a bit. Focus on fun, easy runs around the neighborhood instead of long slogs. Keep going to Orange Theory, which I’m really enjoying. Try to work in some yoga, which I tried for the first time on Saturday and liked. (My friend is more than halfway done with her yoga instructor certification and will be teaching for the next couple months as part of her training.)
Even if I don’t cross many (or any) finish lines in 2017, I’m hoping to end the year stronger and leaner than I’m starting!
You might also consider doing some shorter, low-key races this year. These days, I rarely sign up before a race. I usually just do day-of-race registration, even though it costs more. That way, if Bri is up all night the night before or if the whole family is sick, I can skip it. With that said, mentally I promise myself NOT to skip it unless I have a legitimate reason.
Now that Bri is 2 and a half, I can see maybe training for a half, but a year ago, it would have been very difficult. My general conclusion has been that it’s not important enough to me to make it happen while dealing with babies. However, as you know, I’ve found it extremely rewarding trying to get back to my old fitness level at shorter races, especially the 5K.
Maybe you should try racing a new distance (like 4 miles or something random like that). That way, you get a guaranteed PR. 🙂 Also, your plan to just exercise in whatever way is making you happy is also obviously a good one.
I’ll probably do a couple shorter races this year, hopefully ones that also have kids races — I want to sign Emma up for another one of those. And yes, I totally agree that day-of registration is nice to have. It’s more expensive, but at least you can wait until the last minute to make a decision.
New distances are really hard to find around here!
Run for fun and the races can wait until you have more free time ❤
Lady. I really feel you here. Running was such a big part of my life and with our little one it just does not fit in a way that I can enjoy it and stay uninjured while doing it. I’m really just trying to make some peace with that in this season and enjoy what I can do (yoga, walking, etc.) and remember that running will be there when I need it to be in a few years. Enjoy moving for fun in 2017 – I am sure it will be a weight lifted!
Yes — uninjured is the other part! For example, I’ve run half marathons on very little training before. But that was like 10 years ago and at least I’m smart enough to realize that my body can’t handle the abuse it could before — or at the very least, attempting it would have more of a risk of injury than it might have back then.
While you have been a runner longer than myself, I would say that my resume outnumbers yours in the fact that I have done a LOT of races in 10 years. 19 half marathons and 10 full marathons, and even as late as 2016 I did (what would be my last half: January), but also finished the RunHouston 10K series.
Next I am now FIFTY THREE. And while I still love to run, albeit shorter distances, it hit me early Winter that the training for such things no longer brought me joy.
I said a lot above, but at the end of the day I wanted to tell you its OK! I feel very passionately that as humans we should seek joy in everything we do if at all possible. So for the first time since I started running, there will be ZERO racing this year. And I have ZERO problems with my decision. I run quite a bit at OTF since I go so much, and if I want to run a mile or two outside, then I will. But I gotta tell ya the things I have replaced with HAVING to run? Even if its sleeping until 6:30am on a Saturday and having 2 cups of coffee watching The Today Show, THAT brings me joy so I win. And OTF brings me JOY, so I have that to keep me healthy and happy.
Accept grace my friend. And its OK to not enjoy something anymore. MORE than OK.
Without question, you’ve done more races than me — and you’ve also done a lot more structured and organized training over the years than I have. I struggle with “giving up” on things and I do need to give myself more of a break sometimes. But on the flip side, I also feel like sometimes I’m too quick to let myself off the hook…I don’t want to seem like a flake! It’s a balancing act for sure. Thanks for your perspective!