Back in February, I totally succumbed to FOMO. I jumped online when the MCM 17.75 registration opened and secured my spot to run the “race to register.” Even as I as registering, I was all “I’m going to give away the code. I don’t want to run the Marine Corps Marathon again.”
Somehow, I got confused and signed up for MCM. OK, maybe I wasn’t confused, I just had selective amnesia. You know how you forget how hard childbirth was as soon as they hand you the baby? Marathons are JUST like that. And in my defense, I love the Marine Corps Marathon. It’s a great race with amazing support and a wonderful course. I would happily run it every year.
If it was in the spring.
This is how I want to look when I’m training…
Not like this…
Yep, my problem with MCM is that I live in Virginia and I HATE running during the summer. Hate it. I’d much rather have single digit temps and a windchill than 90+* and matching humidity.
When I only ran 44 miles in June, I realized that getting a PR was unlikely. When the only double digit runs I ran in July and August were 3 half marathons, I was a little worried. When I hit September and it was still hot and I was completely unmotivated to run, I should have thrown in the towel. But I never actively tried to sell my bib. Until Tuesday. And when that didn’t work out, it hit me that I will be running MCM. (Note to self: give away the code next year.)
Thankfully, for once in my life, the Metro is helping me out. Due to closures, MCM changed the course and I only have to make it to mile 18 to “beat the bridge”. Barring anything stupid happening, I can do that.
I may be running my slowest marathons ever on the smallest mileage base I’ve ever had, but I fully intend to run AND finish.
I get FOMO too, but then I look at the calendar. If a race is in the fall, chances are I won’t be trained for it. I also prefer cold to heat because I can put on layers and stay warm as I keep moving.
I have a friend who is a psychiatrist. She says that really, marathon running is all mental. Physically if you can run 10 miles you can complete a marathon. So see? You’re all set! I’m betting it will go better than you think it will, but even if it doesn’t . . it will make for a great blog post!
Hey, it’s your race and you can run it any way you want to, right? I know a lot of people are very relived to know they only need to make it to mile 18 to “beat the bridge” this year!
Sometimes, finishing is winning!
Love the having a baby analogy. Completely agree !
I was doing really well with my training for the MCM despite the hot weather. Of course my training runs were the slowest I have ever had. I have also said I don’t want to do another fall marathon since running in the summer in VA sucks monkey balls. Then I hurt my back 3 weeks ago and haven’t run since. I am so thankful that the DC Metro doesn’t have their game on as I think I can still get to mile 18 in the allotted time. At least I hope so. This will be my first MCM so it has to be a good one. 🙂