Lately I can’t help but feel grateful for not being accepted to run the New York City Marathon. Does anyone remember that I applied to the lottery earlier this year? It would have been my first marathon but thankfully, everything works out the way it should because this was definitely NOT my year for training for a marathon.
The Bar Mitzvah has taken a lot out of me. I cannot imagine training these last several weeks for a marathon as I can barely even recognize that I am training for a half marathon at the moment! These weeks are flying by in terms of my half marathon training plan but they have also been so packed with detail, activity and emotion in the other waking hours of my life that I don’t even realize I am running half marathon workouts.
My brain isn’t into this training cycle at all.
Luckily, the half marathon is a distance I can run without training although at the moment, I don’t really see myself caring very much about this race.
To be honest with you, extremely honest, there’s a good chance I decide NOT to run this half marathon on November 12.
As my son said last night, why would I want to drive and pay to run the same distance I can run for free at home?
Of course you and I know why we choose to run a race. However, during those times when we truly don’t have our hearts in a race, we can understand and agree with what my son said.
Right now, I am on the fence with seeing the race from his viewpoint and seeing it from a runner’s mindset.
I will let you know what I decide when I decide. I think that allowing myself the freedom to make this decision, to not run the race, has relieved some of the mental pressure of having to do something I may not feel like doing because I never force myself to do anything I don’t want to/need to do.
Monday – 5 Miles
Just 5 miles easy around the neighborhood once it was light outside.
Tuesday – Pure Barre & 3 Miles
Tuesday is typically an 8 mile run day but I ignored my training plan in favor of doing what I felt like doing instead.
I started with the Pure Barre Pure Results (focus on thighs) workout (55 minutes) followed by a simple 3 mile run outside = it was perfect.
Wednesday – 7 Miles
I ran Tuesday’s workout today, on the treadmill.
2 miles warm up + 4 x 8 minutes at 10k pace with 3 minutes easy in between.
I much prefer these workouts outdoors so that I can naturally find and feel my 10k pace but I wasn’t about to run outdoors before the sun was up so I made the treadmill work for me.
For the 10k intervals, I played between 7.6 – 8.2, trying to hold around 8.0 as often as I could without touching the button.
Thursday – Pure Barre & 5 Miles
Since I ran Tuesday’s workout on Wednesday, I skipped today’s workout in favor of an easy run day.
A quick Pure Barre Tone in 10 combo:
- Arms & Abs
- Seat & Abs
My son went into school a little early so I ran 5 miles outside after dropping him off.
Friday – 5 Miles (in the gym)
Another gym morning. 5 miles on the treadmill with some free weights, squats and jumping jacks thrown into the mix.
Anyone else impatiently waiting for the clocks to change in order to get some early morning sunshine again?! Do you see how dark it appears outside the gym window?!
Saturday – 14 Miles 11 Miles
My training plan called for 14 miles which I thought I would run, even though the forecast called for a really stormy morning of high winds, rain and chilly weather.
I also thought I would add in Thursday’s workout which I didn’t run this week which consisted of 2 sets of 3 miles at half marathon pace.
Yeah, neither plan happened. I thought about running the half marathon paced miles but once I started moving a little faster, I just didn’t feel like it.
Physically I felt fine but mentally, I was just not interested in pushing myself. So I didn’t.
Mile 1 was my slowest @ 9:54 and mile 9 was my fastest @ 8:21
I made it 11 miles before heading home. The rain had gotten much heavier by the 9 mile mark and I became tired of running with heavy, wet feet.
Sunday – Pure Barre
My craving for Pure Barre has been strong this week so I think I will go with the Pure Results 55 minute workout again since I have the time.
Previous Training Posts:
NYCRUNS Falling Leaves Half Marathon Week #4
NYCRUNS Falling Leaves Half Marathon Week #3
NYCRUNS Falling Leaves Half Marathon Week #2
NYCRUNS Falling Leaves Half Marathon Week #1
Do I really want to run this race?! #halfmarathon #workouts #training #running #runner #purebarre Click To TweetHave you ever backed out of a race you were planning to run? I have, I changed my mind a few years ago when I chose not to run the Hershey Half in 2013.
Are you anxious for the clocks to change so you have sunlight again in the morning?
How were your workouts this week?
Yes, I was supposed to run a 1/2 with my boyfriend in st Michaels Maryland which is supposed to be a BEAUTIFUL fast flat course. Well, I signed up and paid the $100+ application. He then wasn’t able to go because of work. I was very frustrated but decided to go run it alone. But once the event approached I saw the weather was supposed to be rainy and cold. So, I made the tough decision (but sound decision) to skip the race. The reason I decided this was because I signed up to run with my boyfriend and it is said to be a gorgeous course. And, the reason I run is because I truly LOVE to run. When I finally realized that if I went to run alone, in the rain, and cold, (I HATE the cold) it wouldn’t be fun and I wouldn’t enjoy it. This made me feel guilty in the moment but once race day came I was so happy I chose to stay in my warm bed. Do what FEELS right. And then last weekend I raced a 1/2 and it was GREAT!
I have changed my mind on races more times than I can probably count. I used to sign up for something every weekend and the burnout gets real, and especially when you have to count on public transport not having a car it can get more annoying. I am much better now about it – although I did drop from the Philly marathon to half and not sure I even want to run that. I am running Falling Leaves the week before and honestly the cost to travel and stay just one night in Philly is ridiculous I may just eat that race fee.
Gianna @ Run, Lift, Repeat recently posted…Changing Plans
A race is just a race – no reason to run it if you don’t want to! That said, you may find renewed in your running by race day – there are still a few weeks! I don’t mind the dark mornings – it’s when it gets so dark so early in the evening that gets to me.
Laura @ This Runner’s Recipes recently posted…Staying Energized during Marathon Training with CLIF Bar
The past 2 years, I backed out of races often. I was going through super stressful time and didnt realize how much of a physical toll it waa taking. I signed up with an ambitious mindset but training/mental capacity was just not there. I realized runnning takes a ton of energy. I completely relate to your situation. Your son’s celebration took sooo much planning and energy. There would be no shamr in skipping this race, resetting, and putting the next event on the calendar. Forcing a race is no fun. I also believe there are so many ‘things’ in life we legitemately have to do – for work, family, friends etc. we dont HAVE to race if we dont want to so when it comes to those decisions where we have a choice, i agree with you. ONLY do what makes you happy for those times when we truly have options
Yeah, I haven’t decided just yet but if I choose not to run the race, it’s totally okay. as you said, it takes a lot of energy!
There is no reason to force yourself to do it if you’re really not feeling it. Who knows, maybe now that the Bar Mitzvah is over you will get your motivation back. Besides, at least you know you can run the distance even if you don’t really “race” it.
I would love some more light in the mornings! I think we have 2 more weeks before we change the clocks.
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine recently posted…Catching Up After the Week
I think the dark mornings are playing a role right now – I can’t run outside as often! i haven’t decided what i will do but will decide any day now about the race.
There have been a few times when I decided not to run a race I was registered for..one being the marathon I registered for the week before my wedding. Stupid planning on my part because we were also house hunting and ended up buying a house at this time, and I started a new job. Too much going on so I decided to drop out!
Gretchen recently posted…Pittsburgh 10 Miler Training : 2 Weeks to Go!
I remembered that you decided not to run that marathon – you definitely had a lot going on which would totally take you away from training!
I ran a half just recently and my heart wasn’t into it AT ALL. The training stopped at 10 miles and I convinced myself I would be fine on race day. Did I make it through? Yes. But I felt like garbage and, since I had run this race previously, I compared my time this year to years past and felt emotionally like garbage too. I think it was my body’s way of saying that, while it is possible to run, it isn’t always the best emotional decision.
I think you should run it. Just do it for fun though, no training plan or anything. 🙂
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