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September 06, 2005
To Marathon or Not to Marathon
Once again, time has escaped me and I feel like I need to run over 100 miles just to fill everyone in on my running - and non-running - life. First things first, I cannot believe the pop culturalists have sucked me in like a vaccuum! I just voted for Marty on the hit show, "Rock Star INXS." His original song, "Trees," literally had me clapping my feet on the floor and singing along to the chorus. Ah, Chicagoans.
I am in a little bit of a pickle. No, I am not injured (knock on wood) or worried about being injured, but I am confused. I have been running a steady and consistent diet of 50+ miles/week, including long runs of 17,23, and 20. I am planning to run another 20 miler on Saturday. In spite of my long runs and consistent running, I am not 100% sure that I am ready to tackle the marathon . . . then again, are we ever ready for the grueling physical battle and even more grueling mental war? I have not done enough pace runs, tempo runs or even long runs. I have no idea what I am capable of at the moment, but I am positive that crashing through the 3 hour barrier with my arms raised and a bright smile on my face is out of reach. I think I might be in 3:10-3:15 shape, but that is a long way from my ultimate goal of 2:5?. I know that people will say (inevitably people who love me & who will stroke my ego) "you can break 3! You just don't know it."
Yet runners tend to know their bodies quite well. Mine is not where it needs to be. I am still taking 1-2 days off per week, I still feel grossly out of race shape, and . . . I still want to run a marathon???? A part of me believes that I will suck it up, quit the mental babbling, toe the line and just RUN. Who cares about time, right?
On a side note, I have been overwhelmed with the pending nuptials. I have a million things to do, but I am procrastinating and quickly falling behind. I am hardly a bride-zilla. If anything, I am a lazy and terrifed bride. I am not into the planning part (NO flowers, no fancy colors that match, no make-up and hair people, etc., etc.). My sisters are paranoid that I am going to walk down the aisle in either flip flops or running shoes! I am not saying that I am going to display my black toenails to the in-laws, but what is wrong with marching into wedded bliss in the comfort of my flip-flops? After all, people keep reminding me that this is MY wedding (really? because it doesn't always feel like it!!). Enough complaining! I am excited :)
I have also been busy at the running store and editing a new Chicago magazine.
I am too tired to write anything else . . . but I plan to broadcast my marathon dilemma on a daily basis :O
Posted by bridget at September 6, 2005 10:03 PM
Comments
It is not required that one run a marathon to do marathon training.
In fact, it is not required that one run a marathon.
Wish I'd thought that before I messed myself up...
Posted by: pjm at September 6, 2005 10:27 PM
I plan to get married in flip-flops. Why be uncomfortable (or worried about getting a calf strain) on your wedding day? That's one reason I plan to get married on a beach-shoes would be silly there!
As for the marathon....I mean, of course it's totally up to you...but you wouldn't feel even a "tinge" of regret on race day if you weren't there? I totally would. But again, I have dif race goals that you and haven't run a marathon in a long while. Anywhoo, keep us posted. It's an interesting decision you have to make.
Posted by: Audrey at September 7, 2005 08:22 AM
And what, exactly, would be wrong with running a 3:10 marathon?
Why not run the marathon, but start conservatively, then see how you feel after a few miles?
I think that running a strong sub-3:10 marathon (let's be honest - barring injury, you aren't running a 3:15) would be a great stepping stone to smashing through the 3:00 barrier next year. Plus, going into the marathon without the pressure of thinking "I must run under 3:00" will make the race a lot easier psychologically. And if, at 20 miles, you feel good and have a shot at it, you could always try for 3:00.
Posted by: Gerard at September 7, 2005 09:50 AM
To sort of echo what pjm stated, there isn't really anything to be lost by doing the training and not running a marathon. It's better than what I did, train for a 10 miler and then run a marathon. Whatever you do, it is your choice, just keep us filled in. There is always the mental toughness that you can gain but running a not so great marathon which will help no matter what.
Don't worry about what others have to say about your wedding. What am I saying, it isn't like I have any experience in getting married, but it is YOUR wedding, not theirs!
Blondie
Posted by: Blondie at September 7, 2005 07:54 PM
this is nothing you haven't heard before but let me address a few points:
a) i too voted for marty - five times! - so get over it. chicagoans are proud and nerdy, that's all there is to it.
b) even if you wear "real" shoes to your wedding i am, at some point during the reception, going to pry them off of your feet and make everyone jealous of your hard fought black toenails.
and, finally,
c) ditto the above posts. either train and don't race (and secretly run a stress-free 26.2 that morning with a buddy just to get it out) OR just go for it and take whatever may come. the choice is yours but i can attest that the only decisions i've ever regretted were choices i made based on a fear i wouldn't live up to a standard i set for myself - and they're ALL running regrets. there's alot to be said for accepting yourself wherever you are on race day and then, in a week or month or year or two, looking with satisfaction at the road you've traveled.
either way, i'll cheer you on!
Posted by: carrie at September 7, 2005 10:55 PM