I need a medal rack!
Nah, just kidding. That isn’t my real confession. I just have all of my medals and bibs out because I am reorganizing the closet wall I hang them on (seen here and here) and thought it would be funny to take a picture of me wearing them all. Data sure didn’t appreciate the noise they made walking around the house! Clink, clank, clink.
My real confession is that I had been planning on running a marathon tomorrow. Back in January I looked at my calendar and realized I had the base mileage to train for a spring marathon, and I thought it would be perfect for me since I love winter running. My training went superbly and I did all of my long runs at really great speeds and was prepared to run a 4:15 marathon or maybe faster! I didn’t tell many people about the marathon, because I wanted to keep it under wraps in case something restricted me from running it. Heck, I didn’t even sign up for it.
And it’s the night before it, and am I running it? No. Do I feel like I could? Yes. Do I feel like I could run it and not feel like crap afterward? Definitely. But I am not. My IT Band was acting funky during the last two half marathons I did, and despite feeling great this week and on my last two runs, I am giving it a rest, so I can be ready for the Ragnar Madison to Chicago relay, and for the Milwaukee and New York City marathons in October and November.
But I am oh so disappointed. So disappointed. So upset. I hate being responsible and making this decision. Hate it. But hey, at least I never signed up for the thing. So I am not out any cash. Just bummed that I put in all that awesome training for nothing concrete. Yes, I built a great base, but I wanted redemption! REDEMPTION from Chicago!!! Seriously, I cannot even remember my marathon “PR.” I have to look it up whenever someone asks me what it is. The Chicago Marathon was a lot of fun, but I was ready to run a marathon for real. Time for me to learn some patience!
Awww, I get it. Not on a marathon level, yet, but still. You’re right though- you’re not out any cash and you’re saving yourself for bigger and better!
And you totally need a medal display. I love mine and it’s only holding my 3 medals (new one today!).
Way to listen to your body and let your IT band take a break. I am sure you will appreciate the decision not to run later!
I understand the disappointment but I definitely also understand the decision. If you really want a medal rack, I’m raffling 2 off (proceeds to American Cancer Society)and I just extended the deadline for it! You could check it out on my blog 😉
I am PROUD of you (without trying to sound condescending). It’s so hard to listen to what your body needs and back off when you have to. Good for you for realizing you have lots to lose by pushing yourself into a race you didn’t HAVE to do.
(run today went great, minus one glitch. I’ll post about it tomorrow – went straight from the long run to getting everyone ready for a friend’s daughter’s first communion. just got home. so tired.)
So, I have a string of “did not starts” over the past few months, and I remember every one and feel regret but also know that in each case, I couldn’t have raced well. I also believe that giving yourself a break, letting your body rest and recover, IS a good decision, as much as you don’t want it.
You’ve been running SO well and you’ve kept a pretty packed schedule. Hopefully you’ll do something fun tomorrow – just for yourself!
That’s such a hard decision, Kim! But you have to do what’s best for your body!
WOW tough choice there Kim but you did what was right for your body. I hate not running race too. You will get your marathon redemption for sure!
I felt exactly that way after my first Chicago in 2007. I knew I had a better race in me but my IT was dicey so I waited the full year until I ran another. My patience paid off in a BQ. Time flies. Your marathons will be here before you know it.
Have you considered doing a scrapbook? You could put a bib/photo/stats from each race on one page. I’m sure there are ways to then display your medals.
I have kind of thought about it! My best friend has really neat scrapbooks for each year she has been racing. I really like seeing all my bibs and photos in one spot when I get dressed each morning though (and scrapbooking is expensive!).
Oh do I understand redemption for Chicago. I understand completely. But I also understanding not pushing it and going backwards. Your next marathon will be there it will. Hey you need a rack for those medals! Enter my contest!!!
I know exactly how hard and miserable that decision is to make. Keep the faith that you did the right thing. It’s so hard to hold onto patience, but there will be more races, and you’ll have learned something and grown through each bit of training to get there – especially if you can avoid injury in the process 🙂
I understand your pain! My most favorite half marathon is this coming Saturday (21st). It is the local one, a PERFECT course with a gentle downhill through a canyon. And it’s on my birthday too. BUT, I am dealing with a hip injury and despite the fact a month ago I was running a 15 mile long run, presently, I can only do a 6 miler (and it isn’t a strong one either). So, I’m looking at a lot of walking on Saturday. I also was plagued with a chronic IT issue. After dealing with it over a YEAR, the only thing that finally got me past it was using “The Stick” every day to roll out both sides, along with stretches and side leg lifts. My PT said using “The Stick” was probably the most helpful but I personally think it was the combination. Anyway, I know how disappointed you are and it sucks!
Happy early birthday! What fun that your fave race is on your bday! But not that you are not feeling well enough to run the whole thing. What is going on with your hip? Are you working with your PT on that?
And you must share these stretches with me. I have been foam rolling and using a ball (that my friend just gave me) and feeling good. Any stretches would help too!
Thanks for understanding. I hope you heal soon!
At least you didn’t sign up for it & lost money! That is *some* good news. But it had to be a hard decision to make and I’m so proud of you for making it! You’re going to kick ass in your fall marathons, girl!
Congrats on putting in the training… even if you’re not running an actual event! You are definitely setting yourself up for some serious runnage this fall! Make sure you take some time to chill/prevent injury/recover after several half marathons & the MC200 relay!
I am sure you are so bummed to not run the marathon but Im very proud of you for listening to your body. You have so many awesome races coming up that you will do awesome at!!! All of this traing will set you up to blow your PR out of the water. You are running so much stronger and better!! I hope you are doing okay and feeling a little bit better every day.
Anytime I have to say no to a race I get upset a little. But it is the right thing to listen to what you know!
I was wondering if you had a secret with all your long runs lately! Good idea to be responsible and sit this one out. You’ll redeem yourself soon enough!!!!!
I love the pic of you with you all your bling!! 🙂 And you know your body, so it’s okay to not run a race. And it’s an easier descision when you haven’t forked out the cash. Hope the IT gets to feeling better! 🙂
Within the next 2 weeks, I will post a similar picture Michael Phelps style.. I may or may not have a shirt on. 🙂