Sunday, January 27, 2008

Maybe I'm not cut out for marathons

Maybe ten marathons is enough.

Maybe I don't want to do a spring marathon badly enough to train on long solo runs through the depths of winter.

I'm generally not a happy camper after ten miles anyway. My 50-year-old feet and knees hurt. Not just uncomfortable, mind you, they are PAINFUL.

I'm tired of NEEDING construction site porta-potties or sections of quiet woods from frequent digestive upsets on long runs. Even when pre-emptive Imodium is in place. That gets real old.

This is what happened to my planned 14-to-16 mile run today:

Yeah, that included some extended stops (see above) and turned into trudging back to the car before Mile 7.

Fortunately in both the B&A Marathon and the Wirefly National Marathon in March I can drop down to the half marathon.

I like half marathons. It's a nice distance. A friendly distance.

9 comments:

Rainmaker said...

Half Marathons are indeed a friendly distance. As I was once told - "The Half-Marathon is a much more gentlemanly distance."

Holly said...

Nothing wrong with putting your focus on a new distance! You have more than proven you can run Marathon. Focus on getting that Half-Marathon into PRs you never imagined! GO NANCY GO!

Lesser is More said...

I just made a pit stop at a construction site this past weekend on my 17 mile run. Definitely NOT something I would like getting used to doing.

ShirleyPerly said...

I like the distance of half marathons but prefer the easier pace of marathons. I'm glad you have options in your upcoming races.

IronWaddler said...

The half is my favorite distance . I hope the half-iron will be that for me also.

jeanne said...

i LOVE the half distance. just far enough to make you feel like you achieved, but not so far that you're killing yourself.

in any case, i will see you on 3/29!

Comm's said...

i just started back to pre dawn runs and my GI is not used to laying flat for several hours then within a few minutes bouncing up and down for several miles. It takes some time to re-adjust the body.

I have been telling a lot of people exactly what your thinking, I am closer to 40 than 20, but train like I'm 20 and recover like I'm 40.

UltraMamaC said...

Right there with you! For me, I find it so hard to make the time for a three-plus-hour run that I need to fully train for a full. But the kids (and Hub) don't mind so much if I skip out for just a couple of hours.

Herself, the GeekGirl said...

There's a reason why it's the most popular distance these days. The hurting knees and feet is definitely a limiter! But make no mistake about it - a 13-mile run is an incredibly accomplishment.