I did not run the half marathon this morning that I had planned to. I did everything that I needed to do to prepare - got up at 4AM, caffeinated and dressed, drove to the race site, parked, and waited for the volunteers to set up. But it was pouring cold (49*F) rain the whole while, not letting up as forecast, and standing in line outdoors in the rain at packet pickup I got drenched, chilled, and started shivering. I decided that I just didn't want to run this race badly enough in these conditions, and that I would rather do today's workout inside a dry gym. I make no excuses - I simply didn't have the drive and determination that it takes to run a race on a day like this. I got back in the minivan and drove home.Some place today there will be a runner who toes the starting line, struggles and completes her race, crosses the finish line, and receives her medal. She will get a third place among three in her age group, and will feel a little apologetic when she tells the tale, and will minimize her accomplishment as if she only got an award by default, since she didn't "beat" anybody.
To her I say, "Well done and congratulations! You stuck it out and ran your race. You won over everyone else who didn't show up and wasn't willing to make the effort that you did. Today you beat me and you deserve to win. Enjoy your victory!"
Later....
Well, I didn't exactly get in a half-marathon-equivalent workout, but I did do 30 minutes on the bike trainer in the aerobars while watching the Tour de Georgia broadcast. Sometimes I try to maintain the same cadence as the pro riders while I watch them - fortunately they were climbing very steep hills and I didn't have to keep up with Lance's time trial cadence! ;)
This week's renewed goal is CONSISTENCY. Each day, Monday through Friday, I plan to do at least 30 minutes on the bike (trainer or outside) , plus a swim, run, or long walk with the double jogstroller. I'm counting on all of you to hold me to it! Fortunately the weather forecast is much improved - although it will only be in the sixties, it promises to be sunny all week.
8 comments:
Don't worry that you didn't do the race - there will be many more races to come. :) Keep smiling!
You made the right choice for you at that time and place. You'd said all along it was a "supported training run." For that, it's not worth slogging in the rain for two-plus hours. Uh-uh.
-c
TxSkatemom
http://hooha.org/skatemom
Yup! Me, Too! I didn't go to my race, either. Nasty weather Sunday morning following a nasty weather Saturday. And I am a RECREATIONAL runner. Gotta be FUN. Even the miserable ones GOTTA BE FUN! And sometimes the miserable ones ARE very fun...but you've got to be in the mood for misery ;-)
Thanks for the support, folks! I have a tendency to feel badly about races I DNF or DNS - as though I let myself down. I haven't had a DNS on a race I pre-entered for about 4-5 years (also cold rain) so I guess I was due for one. I've had 2 DNFs, one when I was injured and one when I thought I would be if I continued.
Not sure I would have done any different. Sometimes it's just not worth it. I might consider a 10k in rain but a half, they are tough enough in good weather.
It happens. You have to put the race in perspective. Go out and muscle through a miserable run to what? Catch a cold, pull a muscle?
Your better off chalking it up to bad weather instead of DNS.
listen, about that race...just know that even that fact that you showed up, the fact that you've run a bunch, the fact that you're aspiring toward the triathalon...all of that, has really inspired me tonight. i just started blogging and my post this weekend is about deciding to do a half marathon next spring. it's a big thing for me, i'm just starting to jog after a year of working out on the treadmill and hitting the street, and 6 mos. of pilates conditioning. i'm getting in pretty good shape and have some good muscle tone, but i'm still, after losing 87 lbs, quite overweight and have been sick my whole life with asthma and thyroid stuff. i got myself psyched about that half, bought the 'non-runner's marathon trainer' and after reading it last night, felt totally defeated like it really won't happen. i'm feeling a little better tonight and then hitting your post really helped. thanks. and good luck training...
ruth-e
You know what- everything happens for a reason. This one wasn't your war, and you knew it. Way to go for heading to the gym instead! Good focus on your goal ;)
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