I did it again. I signed up for the Long Branch Half Marathon. If I get to the finish line, this will be my third time running the race. For the last 2 years, I have dreamed of running the New Jersey Marathon instead, but as you well know, injury has a way of making it's own plans that don't always coincide with yours. Last week, on impulse, I decided I could somehow swing it...my runs had been going well lately (meaning the last 3 weeks), and as long as I could manage one 20-miler, I should be able to drag myself to the finish line of the marathon, right? Right?
Then, memories of my first marathon last September came to me. It had taken every ounce of my strength and energy to complete 26.2 miles when I was fully prepared (I had completed a 17 mile run, an 18-mile runs, a 20 mile run and a 23-mile run before the race). Could I pull off 26.2 miles coming out of an injury, with just 2 months of training? Last week, I ran only 23 miles. I could up the mileage to 32-35 by mid-April, but would that be good enough?
Then, as quickly as I soared, I came hurtling back to earth. It is probably doable but definitely not in keeping with my philosophy Running for Fun. When I run the NJ Marathon, it will be when I am fully prepared to give the distance its due. I don't know if 26.2 miles can ever be "fun" but I could at least keep it from being torture. The marathon distance needs to be respected.
So, LBH it will be! I am excited to be running this race again (well, not so much the second time). This year, I hope to enjoy it as much as possible. A PR will be nice, but I am not counting on it. Who else is running the LBH? Or the NJM?
Workout report:
Monday: 5 mile easy run (I'm going to stop calling my runs easy...they all are!)
Tuesday: 10 miles (it was supposed to be 12 miles, but faced with a strong wind and temperature in the teens, I caved). Even with 2 layers of gloves, my hands were so red, swollen and painful, I had to sit on them for a few minutes, then run them under warm water for 10 minutes to restore circulation.
Wednesday: stationary bike - 30 minutes; abs - 15 minutes
Thursday: stationary bike - 30 minutes; abs - 20 minutes
Friday: 5 miles (after Tuesday's freeze-fest, I donned my warmest clothing and stepped outside into sunny 60 degrees! D-uh! Look up the weather forecast, you idiot!); spinning - 45 minutes
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13 comments:
congrats on signing up for the half! I know it will be time before I get the courage to try a marathon... but i hope to one day :) enjoy your weekend!
I'll be there for the full!
Sounds like a great decision on the half - I'll keep an eye out for you :)
I would have registered for the half instead of the NJM too. You will have a great time at the half! Good job on the workouts. Have a great weekend.
Halfs always seem like so much more fun. Just a quick run in the park after you've run the long runs.
I have only done one half, and depending on how well my knee suits me for the next couple months, I hope to be doing my second... there's just something so enjoyable about that distance!
"When I run the NJ Marathon, it will be when I am fully prepared to give the distance its due." I feel the same way.
Good luck with the half training!
I think you made the right decision. Half marathons are fun and you train just as hard. To run a marathon you have to respect the distance.
definitely sounds like the wise choice! hope you are able to enjoy it and pr, and i'm sure you won't mind being able to walk in the days following the race. i know i learned the hard way to respect the distance, i don't recommend it! good luck training :)
sounds like the right choice!!! a half marathon is such a great distance :)
great job on the week!
I think you definitely made the right choice. Sounds like you had a similar first marathon experience to mine, and I KNOW I would not want to go into another marathon any less prepared.
Good luck with the half!
Ditto on all of the above! A half is nothing to sniff at either, so kick some butt!
omg - for a second there - i was like - she is running the FULL! I think it is a good decision to do the half!!!
My friend is running the full here. Its his first marathon. I will be volunteering at the start/finish line.
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