Or, let’s be honest here, I don’t want to TRAIN to run a marathon.
I love racing. And there’s something about a long race that fills me in a way that a 5k or 10k doesn’t.
But I don’t like long training runs.
After 10 miles, I’m over it. I don’t want to be by myself. I don’t want to be running with a friend. I just want to be done. I feel this way even when I have an amazing, feels good, kind of run.
I know that someday I will likely run a third marathon. I know that someday the timing will be right. I’ll be physically strong and mentally ready to survive the torture that is a 20 mile run. Because running a marathon after properly training is an absolutely amazing experience.
I’m not there now. I’m not ready to jump up to the long runs. My life and my body are still recovering from all the time committed to 13 half marathons in 79 days. I need to focus on rekindling my love of running by spending some time running because I want to, not because I have to.
So, things may be a little boring up in here for a while. I have Ragnar and two half marathons on the horizon, but that’s it. I’m taking a little break from the constant reaching for the next running goal.
I’m pretty sure my husband, my body, and my boss are all happy to hear that.
I completely support your decision. A half trained marathon experience is the worst and will put you off one of the most amazing things ever. I was burnt out while training for my 4th and while race day was great, the training was the most miserable thing ever and I didn’t run for 2 months after finishing.
Sometimes we have to run, just because we want to run. Maybe this is the time to try new things, new classes or triathlons! So much to explore!!
For a long time people would always ask me when I was going to do an Ironman. My answer was always never and still is…I just don’t want to do anything that long! It doesn’t make me less of an athlete; just one that doesn’t want to spend hours on the bike or train for another marathon! I still won’t say never when it comes to another marathon, but I would have to seriously think about it. 10 miles is my favorite distance too!!
That absolutely makes sense. I think almost any time we find ourselves doing things because we have to instead of because we want to (with the exception of work), it’s time to reassess and see how things can be changed up to find that joy again.
i totally understand this. i think it’s much smarter to decide that you simply don’t want to then to trudge through training!
After I finish my two marathons in three months (January) I’m giving them a break. I can handle half marathons but I just want to have fun again!
Good for you! Over the last year I have totally come to terms with doing what I LOVE, not what I think I *should* be doing as a runner. Marathons are great, but I don’t have time for that training (and, it’s kind of boring). Someday I’ll do some more, but not today 🙂
Do what you love, life is far too short! <3
Sounds like a good decision!!! Says the woman who is in the middle of marathon training….
I am so right there with you on this one. Right now, I am supposed to run NYCM but I am debating deferring since my body is really not cooperating with me right now. I’m going to give long runs a short for the next few weeks, see how I feel and make a decision. But, the main goal in the next few weeks is really to rekindle my love for running and not push it just because I have a marathon scheduled. Hey, it’s important to keep it real and do what makes you happy!
I have totally been in the same spot, mentally! And I’ve tried to push through it and it didn’t work. Better to wait until you feel like running a marathon again. Wishing you the best of luck in training for your other races!
As you should! Being immersed in the running blog world and surrounded by runners in real life as well, we all quickly forget that we are not meant to be running ALL the races ALL the time and constantly going farther/faster. Everyone needs an off season. You’re smart to recognize that you’re ready to take one. I also did the “run ALL the races” thing for about 2 years and while it was a blast…I did need time off. Not just to preserve my relationship with running but also to rebuild my savings account. 😉
I’ve been itching to get back into running (for sanity’s sake) but still have a while to go. I keep having big goals of doing a marathon next year but then those training runs really do play on your psyche and I was evening thinking myself, who has not run in like 10+ weeks, if I even really want to do it. I think you are being smart in taking that step back, you don’t want to hate running so much that you don’t do it at all.
I think it is smart to listen to your body and do what you know is right for you both physically and emotionally! I am not sure I will ever train for a marathon but I can imagine it becomes pretty grueling after a while!
That’s a great realization. I wanted to sign up for a fall marathon and then went for the big triathlon goal of a half Ironman since that’s what I wanted to be doing this year. But I am really hankering for Marathon #3. But the time and the mood have to be right!
I know exactly what you mean. Deciding to run a marathon is so much more than the 26.2 miles on the day. It’s looking at the 4 months prior to that day, knowing that your weekends will be eaten up, you’ll have early mornings, there needs to be recovery time built in. It’s a huge undertaking and when you have kids as well…you have to want it BAD!
Cheers to knowing that, and being ok with it. Life is too short, and a marathon too long, to push ourselves through it. Spend the time with your family, come back to it when you are ready. It’s always an option, and if you don’t want to choose that option, then you don’t have to. 😀
I think that guarding our love of running is super important!
Sounds like a good plan. When running starts to feel like a chore and not something you want to do it’s time to reevaluate. I’ve not done a full marathon for some of the same reasons.
This makes complete sense. If you aren’t enjoying the training, then it doesn’t make sense to put yourself through all of it. You should only do something because you enjoy it.
I’m the exact opposite! I like the training, but the race most of the time sucks.
That’s fair enough. I think you have to be in the right place to want to make that commitment. I’ve registered for an October marathon but I really don’t think I’ll be running it. There are just too many things happening at the moment that are impacting my training and my headspace. I’m better off leaving it. There’ll always be another year.
Makes total sense to me!! I am excited for NY marathon but the 20s seem a bit daunting to me. I decided that my 15th NYC will be about fun and excitement. No personal bests, no time goals… just start, smile the whole way and finish. That is my way of taking the pressure off and enjoying the ride.
I’m not a fan of training, either. However, I can say that this training cycle has been different. My husband and I decided to try out the Hansons Method for our next race. We’re on week 16 of 18, and we’re pretty tired, but we’ve noticed we’re stronger, fitter, and faster as a result. Our longest Saturday run is 16 miles (a plus); the longest weekday run is 12 miles. And the best part is that it hasn’t sucked. It’s been hard, but not dreadful.
It’s important to know your limits and what your body can handle. I’ve always said, if running becomes something I dread, I’ll find something else to keep myself fit and healthy. Don’t let yourself get resentful about something you choose to do. If that happens, choose to do something else.
I totally get where you are coming from! I did the same thing from March until July. Ran what my runnergirls and I call “fruns”, fun runs. We just run to run based on how we feel and what we want to run. It was the BEST break from running without losing any fitness. Happy frunning! 🙂
Ugh. That reminds me that I signed up to run a random road marathon in less than 2 weeks. I have run basically zero roads or treadmills the last few months. Should be awesome 😀