Running Sucks. Well sometimes it does. Maybe sucks is a strong word. This week our Tuesdays on the Run is a fill-in-the-blank. We wanna know what it is about running that is challenging you most right now.
I’d be lying if I said training for the Indy Monumental Marathon did not challenge me. It challenges me every single day, just as each of the 11 previous (2DNS) marathons did. A long, hot, humid summer added to the challenge this year. So did time management issues and the fact that I can procrastinate like a boss. My hip issues and sciatic nerve pain certainly upped the challenge factor as well.
But the MOST challenging thing about running for me right now?
No not waffles, WAFFLING. I still haven’t fully committed to running the full marathon. Sure, after a good run I’m totally down for the full. In those late, excruciating miles of a long run I’m all “eff this I’ll just run the half.” There’s a chance I’ll bail and do the half. But if I do that, part of me already knows I’ll regret it.
So what’s worse: running a horse shit…I mean far less than your best…marathon because your training was sloppy and uninspired and you failed to keep that 10 pounds off? Or running the half and, as soon as you cross the finish line, you mentally kick yourself in the pants because you wish you’d done the full? The indecision and mental waffling is my biggest running challenge right now.
Your turn: What’s your biggest running challenge right now?
This Friday and the last Friday of every month is time for the Runfessions linkup! Come clean with your run- gym- tri- heck any confession is fair game and link them up here. I promise you’ll feel better!
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That’s a tough decision! A while back I had signed up for the Amsterdam Half Marathon (since I’d gotten sick right after my last marathon, and didn’t want that to happen on vacation), but when we got there, I kept thinking “half of a marathon.” I’m so happy that I switched up to the full – the full distance had the more scenic views for that great travel race!
Maybe stay away from the waffles until you decide? 🙂 Motivation to figure things out either way! 🙂
When I saw the waffle picture, my first thought was that carb-loading was the issue, LOL. Very interesting dilemma! I don’t think I’ve ever regretted only running the half instead of the full, but I can understand how once you put in the training you want it to be worthwhile. Can this be a race-day “as you approach the half marathon split” decision?
That can be a frustrating issue! I understand making that choice is a hard decision too!
Thats a tough choice. I think you should do the full because you have put in alot of work! Even if its not your best it will still be something to be proud of.
Do the full. You’ll regret it if you don’t.
Pour some sugar on it and do it 😀 You’ve trained for it. You’ve logged the miles, you’ve slogged through those long runs, and if you aren’t going to go in and BEASTMODE the half (to justify those long runs), prove to yourself that you still have the chops to stair down a wall and then punch through it. ANd then take a break after. A true break, not a little baby break.
I’d say if you are good with a “fun run” marathon – focused on enjoying the road and not your time, go for the marathon. If your heart’s not in that, run the half and set a specific goal to try to hit. And 26 miles is a long way to slog “just because you signed up.” If you decide on the half, don’t kick yourself – just be proud of yourself and enjoy it. Most people will be eating waffles and sitting on their butts that day!! 😉
That is a hard one! I would say do the full and be accepting of a lesser goal than what you started with. You will kick yourself otherwise!
Go for the full! Even if it isn’t your best marathon ever, you’ll still be pleased you did it!
I know you’ll do the full. You said it yourself, you’ll regret it if you don’t. You’ve got experience on your side and you can pull this one off.
That’s a tough one. I feel sorta the same wit my half coming up. Since I just ran one and it went pretty well, I have been unmotivated to train for this one. Then when I suck, I will be pissed at myself for slacking off.
It’s funny you have a picture of waffles because I found out the hard way waffles are not a good pre-run meal. Nothing bad happened, but they felt like a brick in my stomach and i got a side stitch. No more waffles on run days!
I have no advice for you, just support for whatever you decide — and only you can decide.
I think it’s good I only run halfs, I’ve never had to drop down. But man, this has been the most challenging training cycle of my running life, I think, and I’ve had a few others that were pretty challenging! This past weekend’s run was a real confidence booster.
We won’t think about the fact that it was also really flat and there’s a big ole hill in the middle of my upcoming half . . .
I’m a waffler, too! And I love waffles 🙂 Maybe that’s my problem. I have a 10-miler coming up that I am undertrained for. Do I run it and have fun or do I bag it so I don’t injure myself for my future races? And running does suck, lol!
Such a tough decision! Maybe you do the full and have a different goal?
That is a tough decision. For me I’d always feel like I was missing out so I’d sign up for the full regardless how my training plan was. That would give me meme motivation to work towards my goal.
I completely understand! I tend to “commit” to races that I know I can accomplish. If I don’t think I can finish strong, then I don’t like to commit to it. That’s a weakness of my personality because I know that “if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you”. I say go for the full!!! (But then again, that’s easy for me to say when I’m not the one that has to run those 26.2 miles! 🙂
Unless you are injured, do the full. You’ll regret it. Summer suckfest runs make for great fall races. OR SO EVERYONE SAYS! … Including you 😉
I would run the full – there is nothing worse than regret Marcia. Even if you don’t run it as fast as you initially intended you still get to cross the finishing line – that in itself is a win. #noregrets #justdoit #youllbegreatanyway
DO THE FULL! I went through a similar decision a couple years ago and opted to run the half not the full…I crossed the finish line feeling like I hadn’t been challenged and was disappointed in myself for taking the easy route. Unless you’re injured do the full for fun 🙂 Sometimes runs with 0 pressure turn out to be the best!
I think my biggest challenge in running right now is ME! Holly is helping me and even though I’m doing great, the suck monkeys are alive and well trying their best to get inside my head!
I’ve said all along I don’t want running to be a chore. I love running. My training is not a chore, just the opposite but why can’t I just enjoy it and quit worrying when the time comes I’m not going to be able to do what the Plan calls for! #thestruggleisreal
That is a tough one. I’ve never really felt that pressure to run marathons (despite having run a few) and would always rather run a race I know I’ll feel good about than a race I won’t. At least you’re not deciding between a race v. NO race! Whatever you decide will be right and the only person you have to answer to is you! All of us here will back you up no matter what 🙂
It sounds like you’d regret it more if you did the half. Hopefully you’ll come to a decision you can live with in time! Thanks for making all of us crave waffles 🙂
My biggest challenge right now is figuring out what to do since I met my biggest running goal so far (my first ultra). I don’t really want to work on speed, so not really sure what to focus on. Considering doing one half every month in 2017. What do y’all think?
Yes interesting decision you need to make.
Well, it’s one only you can decide. But I’m a lover of the marathon so I’d always choose the longer route. But if you’re not ready for it, then you’ll probably be smarter doing the half.
I ran a marathon once with only half effort training, and yes I finished but man it hurt and the entire last 8 miles I was so mad at myself for not training harder to my best abilities.
Tough decision, but you’ll make the right one for you I am sure!!! Good luck!!!
Bahahahhaahahahahaha. I feel like I’m the one who sorta of planted switching to the half seed. Whoops!
Tara texted me the other day when I said I was going to somehow slog through the full, “Why don’t you switch to the half like me and we can drinks beers after while cheering for Marcia the last half.” Oh, that was tempting!!
I’m about as ill-trained as I’ve ever been for Indy (well, aside from all other other marathons (Including Chicago)), but I’ve had some good races this summer when I’ve put zero expectations on myself so I’m hoping that’s the case with Indy (let’s not talk about the half I just did this past weekend though). I’m kinda in the same regret boat….if I were in really good shape and could crank out a really good half and qualify for NY, then I might switch. But since I will suck at either distance, let’s just such super bad and go for the full :).
BTW, you should be getting a little something in the mail from Mizuno. It’s a ‘thanks for taking my sorry butt to Indy’ gift!
xo
That is definitely a dilemma! The first time I planned to run a marathon 4 years ago, I had to cut down to the half because I was recovering from injury and very undertrained. It was the right thing to do. I think whichever you choose, you’re gonna do great!
That is a tough decision to make! You could always train for the full and then decide right before depending on how you’re feeling. It does kind of sound like you would be disappointed or regretful if you did the half. Good luck with making that decision! And your picture made me want to eat some waffles!
Ran my worst half marathon this year despite having done some pretty good training. It was in 95% humidity, so that’s my “excuse”, but even though it was my worst time and my worst long race experience (so far), I was SO GLAD I stuck to it and didn’t drop down to the 5k. I know half-vs-full is a bigger deal than half-vs-5k, but you’re absolutely right that you’ll regret it more if you drop down. For me, gutting out the longer run was what settled better with me mentally even if it was harder work and didn’t give me a time to brag about.
In the end, you’ll know in your heart which is right for you!
I say, “Go for it, Baby!” You’ve done most of the training, even if it sucked at times. But I know (and so do you) that you have the endurance base to get you to the finish line. I ran Grandma’s last year with less-than-desirable training (spring 26.2 training in the Midwest flat-out was a suckfest)….the weather (for one) and I had so many non-running commitments that really had to take priority (unexpected passing of MIL, prom committee, dance recital stuff, our son’s HS graduation, and a spontaneous “surprise” bday party for the SIL (five hours away). SO, yeah. Oh, there also that little annoyance known as PF that made an appearance about 4 weeks prior to race day. Deferring to the 13.1 was not an option, so it was all or nothing….I ran it knowing I might have to walk more than desired, and all went well. No PR, but I certainly was not even hoping for one. And, there was a good solid two hours of rain for the first part of the race LOL I persevered and finished just over 5 hours…a very decent finish time considering my longest training run was maybe 16 or 17 miles. Spank that race!