Decisions, Decisions

I had planned to wrap up my summer racing season with an entirely new kind of race - the Bold R Dash obstacle course. I signed up at the end of January, and couldn't WAIT to do it! I was signed up in the same heat as a group of friends who were also doing it, and it seemed like it would be such a fun adventure, and something totally and completely different.

Then I started running longer, and running faster, and feeling healthy and strong - healthy and strong enough to think about training for a full marathon in the fall.

Then I began entertaining the idea of possibly trying to qualify for Boston (or Gansett).

Then I signed up for the Hartford marathon, and researched training plans, and found one that would train me to run a 3:40 marathon while still running only 3 days per week.

Then I copied that training plan, stuck it on my fridge, and committed to it.

Then I delved into my summer races, and started setting PRs, winning age-group awards, and running faster than I ever imagined I could.

As the summer went on, and marathon training officially began, I was still so excited about Bold R Dash, but a little voice inside my head kept wondering whether it was really a good idea to undertake something like that while in the midst of training for a race that was hugely important to me.

Running on trails and through mud, and clambering over obstacles, while it still sounded fun (yes, it really does sound fun to me) suddenly also seemed extremely risky, and all I could think of was how mad I would be if I sprained my ankle (or worse), and wasn't able to complete my marathon training. 

I hemmed and I hawed, and a few times, I actually 'decided' that I was going to drop out, but then changed my mind and thought I'd go through with it after all. But this week, I made the final call - no Bold R Dash for me.

I'm putting way too much energy - emotionally and physically - into training for this marathon, and I just cannot imagine how upset I'd be if I somehow got hurt doing something that I was doing purely for fun.

I'm bummed, and I'll miss being out there with all my friends, because I know they're going to have a blast.

But it just isn't meant to be for me this year. I have bigger fish to fry.

Comments

[Taryn]

You've got a BIG fish just waiting for you to catch it! I've stuggled with missing out on the "fun" races this year too. I think you'll be happy with your decision in the long run though!

[Wes]

yea. stay on target :-) you so smart.