Rethinking Boston...
I don't think I'm going to run the Boston Marathon in April. I've been going over and over it in my mind. As excited as I am to have qualified for Boston, I just cannot muster any enthusiasm at the moment for the race itself. I looked at a calendar and training for Boston would begin on December 27th. The thought of diving back in to full-blown training two months from now is enough to move me to tears. I don't think I could make myself do an interval workout, even if you held a gun to my head. I didn't realize how tightly wound I was until my marathon was over. Now, I just want to relax for awhile.
Of course, there's always the option of running Boston "for fun." Not worrying about pace and just high-fiving people, walking, and sipping champagne along the way. That holds some appeal, but then I consider that this may be the only time I run Boston - either because it's the only time I qualify or because I'm only willing to make the trip once. Either way, I'd like to say I actually ran the Boston Marathon and gave it my all. But I can already tell that, mentally, I'm just not in the game.
So my plan is to have some fun this year. Run a lot of local half-marathons and trail races. Do some fun runs with friends and meet for bagels and coffee afterward. I'll train, sure, but not with the focus and intensity of this summer. Then, ideally, I'll be prepped and ready to gear up for a hard training session next winter to run Boston in April 2011.
"Boston" has always been a huge goal for me but it was the qualifying for it that mattered. Whether I actually run the course or not isn't as big a deal. My only real regret is my friend Lisa is going to turn 50 on April 19th and run the Boston Marathon that day. I'd love to be there with her, but I'll have a bottle of champagne delivered to her on the course, so maybe she'll forgive me. =)
And who knows? I'm only a week out of my marathon. Maybe if I get a month of rest under my belt I'll be like, "Yeah I'm gonna run Boston this year!"
I ran 3 miles yesterday on the treadmill and was huffing and puffing by mile 2. My God, it sure does go away fast!
Cheers,
Dena
Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 11:31 AM | Dena Harris | 9 Comments | Email Article | Share via Digg | Print Article | tagged Boston Marathon, Boston marathon 2010, Chicago Marathon, Salem Lake 30k, boston 2011, qualifying for the Boston marathon, trail runs in Running 
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Reader Comments (9)
I rarely make predictions, but I'm making one now: On the 27th of December, Dena will begin training for the Boston Marathon. The desire is lurking between every line of this post, and you absolutely will not be happy if you don't give it a shot and spend the rest of your life wondering what might have been. So let your running shoes cool off for a couple months. Enjoy the break. But don't fool yourself. You'll be running in Boston in April.
You are wise, Bernie... The only "out" I have is that once you qualify you have 2 years in which to run Boston. So I don't have to run it this year. My qualifying time still counts for 2011.
But I'm not taking you up on your bet at this point. You may end up being right. =)
I totally agree with Bernie. You should not be giving this any thought for another few weeks. The most natural and healthiest reaction to what you've accomplished over the last four months is: never again. And seriously, there's a big difference between just training for a marathon (as I am, really) and doing the training you just did.
Not to keep being a has been, but 10 years ago WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE that's what we did, just trained for the miles for Boston and ran it for fun -- and requalified! I think because we were so relaxed.
Meanwhile...don't hold your breath on me being there. But that's a whole 'nother story....
No, I AM holding my breath so if you don't want my untimely demise on your hands, you will qualify. (No pressure...)
Do what you want, as long as it doesn't interfere with your barefoot running training.
I like Bernie don't make perdictions, but I will on this one.... The Dena I know, trained too hard to qualify not to run the Boston Marathon, and not just for fun! I will see you the 27th of Dec. on the greenway!
Oh... you all think you're so smart! ;)
Hi Dena,
Just got back from cruise yesterday and found that you did great!!! Knew you would. We are so proud of you and give you so much credit. No way would any of us even attempt such a feat. Congratulations, Sugar.
Love,
Aunt Connie
Hi Dena,
Just got back from cruise yesterday and found that you did great!!! Knew you would. We are so proud of you and give you so much credit. No way would any of us even attempt such a feat. Congratulations, Sugar.
Love,
Aunt Connie