Wednesday, October 03, 2007

I never quit before

Now that I have my first ever blog out of the way I can talk about running or I guess in this case not running the Marine Corps Marathon. This is the 3d time I've made the cut and had to back out. The first time I backed out I was pregnant. The second time I backed out I had gotten into the NY City Marathon and lived in NY so I ran that one. This time I have no excuse and it feels awful. I ran NY 9 months after my 3d child was born. I breastfed at the family reception area after a very long marathon (had to keep drinking at every station to make breast milk). I thought wow what a great way to get back in shape. None of my friends told me I was nuts so I thought it had to be ok. Soooo,, 4th child born last December and I signed up to run the Marine Corps. I pulled out Hal Higdon and started training, then stopped, then started and got up to a 12 mile long run before realizing I am out of my mind. I have two kids on select soccer teams, a busy 4 year old and an infant who really does not ask for much except to be fed and held, but I was jumping my mileage without putting the weekly runs in. My knees hurt. I've never ever had a running injury. I'm too slow for that. I weigh too much for this and I've got to call it quits. My friends and family could care less. I'm the only one crying for a lost marathon. I should go ahead and run a half marathon as I'm trained for that. Lost causes. I did love the two hours to myself for the weekly long runs. My husband will always help me run. I feel pressured to have a plan. What will I write in our Christmas letter?

4 comments:

SeeMommyRunandBoxandCraft said...

In your christmas letter you will write..."my family is happy and healthy. we are enjoying life. i am a great mother of 4 wonderful children. i keep this ship running smoothly. i carve out time for myself as often as possible. i run like a champ and will run another distance race sometime when i have the time for dedication!"

Anonymous said...

Amen to that!

Anonymous said...

Thanks - it helps to know reality is out there :)

Chelsea V said...

I have had the same dilema. I ran in Boston this year. I run the local half every year...and 8 months after my daughter I ran the Chicago....I signed up for a local marathon which will take place on Oct. 20. I decided 2 weeks ago, after training through the summer to back out. I think I am getting bored....I had a good friend and old running buddy tell me over the phone.....back down....run a shorter race(s)....so I have committed to a 10 K in Nov. I think this will still satisfy my competitive nature (with myself) and my love for running. Afterall I needed to slow down ( and my husband put it) I am working full time, going back to school for another degree, rasing a daughter and being a wife! WHEW! running is an OUT for me....but I also need to think about my spirit as well. So I have actually felt guilty for backing out of this race, but then I thought.....WHY do this race if I dont want to...maybe unconsiously my body is trying to communicate to me that I need to step back, and slow down.
It is hard for a wholehearted runner to do this....but I am listening...and will do my 10k in Nov. and see how I eel...and then go with "WHATS NEXT"!