Thursday, August 30, 2012

Marathon Regret (Almost)

When it was time to sign up for the Chicago Marathon, I made a conscious effort not to sign up. I knew I had this test to study for and I knew it would be hard to fit in all the training miles in addition to studying while also working full time. With how crazy my work schedule sometimes is, there have been some weeks where I've only been able to run 2 days (instead of the Hal-prescribed 4). It has also been one of the hottest summers on record here in Chicago and I dreaded running for 7 or 8 miles and was happy it wasn't 12 or 13. I wasn't jealous of my friends that were training for the marathon this summer. Not one bit.
Taken after an attempted 7 mile tempo run on July 4th

Now that the temps are cooler and work isn't as busy, my thoughts have changed slightly. The "maybes" start creeping in such as... "Maybe I could have made time for the marathon this year." I quickly snap out of it and realize there was/is no way to do it. But that jealousy I didn't have all summer long is now starting to strangely, slightly appear. The thought of running 15, 18, or 20 miles doesn't sound so bad if temps are in the 50s and 60s in the morning. I know I made the right decision, but that doesn't always help out with the mental game. What I have come to realize over these last two years is how important it is to be in the right frame of mind, mentally, for any race. I let my mind get the best of me during the Chicago Marathon and the RNR Half. This fall and winter I'm going to try to change that. It is my mission!

Have you ever not signed up for a race and regretted it later? How do you get in the game mentally before a race? Do you psych yourself out like I do?

7 comments:

  1. http://goo.gl/JUuCv

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  2. If its any consolation, its supposed to be in the mid 90's both today and tomorrow. Just think of me miserably slogging through 8 horrible miles, and you will know you made the right choice :)

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  3. Think of the 20 miles they are doing this Saturday, in the 90's...........

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  4. Since I am an enabler, I will tell you that you totally have time and the base to start training for a late fall marathon. I try to be half marathon (and full marathon, lately) ready most of the time so I can jump in and do whatever race I want. But it's nice not to have races on your schedule!

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  5. Britt @ Chicago Runner GirlAugust 31, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    i've had non-registering regret before, but i got over it. it's easy to play the what if game and wonder how events would have unfolded, but that stuff can drive you crazy!!! there will always be next year ;)

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  6. Ha! The grass is always greener ...

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  7. Kim... You are the worst enabler! haha! I think it will all depend on my fitness level at the time the exam is completed. Believe me. I've thought about it! :)

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