Apr 13, 2014

Decisions..Decisions..Decisions....

I feel like things are finally starting to move in the right direction for me as far as running but it has been a very slow process. My mileage is still really low because I am trying to slowly ease back into things. My longest run since the LA Marathon happened today and I ran a total of 17 miles for the week. 
I lost four weeks of training for my next marathon due to the pain I was having in my hip. My next race is the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon on May 25th which is supposed to be a really important race for me. I was going to make my first attempt at a BQ but with the training that I have lost I am not feeling very optimistic about my goal. I have spent this past week thinking about how I should approach this race. Last year I ran my best marathon time on this course and I want to remember this course in a positive light.
I have kind of broken in down into a few choices.

1) Run the marathon even if I have to give up my goal of a BQ attempt. I mean I really want to run this race because I love the course but running a marathon just to do it is kinda hard on your body and I am not sure if I want to do that right now considering that I am not 100%. I also have the expense of a hotel and travel and I would rather not spend that money on a race that I am just running for the heck of it. This whole running thing can get expensive!

2) Transfer my bib and not run the marathon. This is the decision that I am leaning towards if you asked me for an answer today. I have other races lined up this year and I am thinking that it may be smarter to give my body the time it needs to get back into things and then realign my goals for a future marathon.

3) Downgrading to the half marathon is no longer an option since it is now sold out.

I have a lot of thinking to do in the next few weeks since my deadline to transfer my bib is May 15th. I am going to see how my long runs go for the next two weeks (13 and 15 miles) and then make a decision. I really need to make the smartest decision because I don't want to push myself into a injury that is going to sideline me for a few months. I feel that I am lucky given that this race allows for me to transfer my bib for just $15.00.

Have you ever been in a similar situation? How did you handle it?

12 comments:

  1. AH! I haven't been in this situation, but Sam at Breaking My Runner's In is this year. She's decided not to run the marathon. She's just been too injured this year.

    I also feel like my BQ isn't going to happen this May. I had a shit last long run today (20.6mi) and I'm not confident at all! We can not BQ together!!! :-)

    I know you'll make the best decision for you! Good luck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't let one bad run ruin your confidence. You have been doing really well and you just rocked your ATB race. I guess I am in no hurry to BQ because the older I get the easier it gets hehe! Once I turn 45 I only need a 3:55 and I am pretty confident that I can run that!

      Delete
  2. Hi, I just went through the same thing. That is my favorite race, best course, and PR from last year. I was so excited and signed up early this time with high hopes. Training was going so well and then bam I got injured. First few weeks denial, then dealing with it. Long story short, I am running but missed so much mileage, long runs, speed workouts, everything. Just been running much less and slower. I thought I could transfer to the half, but no. So I deferred and canceled my hotel. I personally think it's not worth doing if there is a risk of injury, or just to do it. It's such a fast course it should be approached with healthy and speedy legs. There are so many other races and there is always next year. It's kind of bittersweet, but it's best to be smart. And it sounds like you know what to do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did not know that this race allowed deferrals. I should ask and see if I can still do that. Hope you are feeling better soon. Take Care.

      Delete
  3. I would say I haven't been in this situation until this year. I decided on passing on the half since I had been too injured to really run it. It was hard since it was my favorite race but I just didn't feel like it was a smart decision for me. Now only you know how you feel. I can understand the expense part of it too! Hang in there!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You Nancy. In the end I know that I have to make the smartest decision. I don't want to be sidelined with a major injury from being dumb. I guess this is all part of being a runner.

      Delete
  4. Such a hard decision! You will make the one that is right for you in the end.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it is very hard and so frustrating. I think I know what to do but it is hard to do it :(

      Delete
  5. Ugh, I'm so sorry. I remember your race report from this race last year. I think you should do the smart thing and transfer the bib. We all know you will BQ--just a little more patience is all it will take!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I will end up transferring the bib. The race was sold out but they just opened 500 more spots so I hope that I can still transfer it!

      Delete
  6. I get my heart set on particular races -- you can see how that would happen when you train 4-6 months for them!! -- but I also really respect the challenge of a full marathon and do not think it's wise to run it if you are injured or undertrained. The thing is, only the individual runner knows her level of fitness and recovery from injury, so of course the decision is all yours! I got sidelined by plantar fasciitis when training for my first full, but I still had 10 weeks left and was able to cross-train in the pool and on the bike. Because it was my first marathon, I was happy just to finish (and not further injure myself!) If the same thing happened now, when my goals are to PR and BQ, I'm not sure I'd make the same decision to go forward. I'm sorry you're having to make this decision!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally agree with you! I am about 5 weeks out and will not have the training under my belt that I had hoped for. I am sure that I could finish in a time that I would not be happy with. I am now being told that my hotel cannot be cancelled so I am not sure where this is leading me right now. I love this marathon and the course so I really want to run it but don't want to make things worse. Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I do appreciate it :)

      Delete