This means no El Scorcho 50k and no Chicago Marathon. 2011 will be the year of 13.1 or shorter race distances, with the exception of the El Schorcho 25k.
Right now I'm struggling to run 5 pain-free miles, so my focus is currently getting that under control, but once that's better I am going to be doing everything I can to run a better race. That means I am going to be committing myself to speed work, hill workouts, cross-training, and losing weight. I doubt it'll happen in 2011, but my ultimate goal is a sub-2 half marathon.
Yes, I'm still running a lot of races in 2011. No, I will NOT be racing all of them. I am currently planning on racing RnR Chicago, and probably 2 others but I need to look over course profiles before I decide which ones.
Right now I feel like the marathon has beaten me down. Chicago 2010 kind of broke my spirit and I'm not really sure how to get it back. That race made me question if I really have what it takes to be a marathoner. I'm hoping these changes will help me out, but only time will tell. If all goes well, I'll be running through the streets of Paris in April 2012!
Maybe try a different type of race? You could try a sprint triathlon, a vertical race, relay, or do what I'm thinking of doing- a mudathlon. I want to get back into competing but I'm just not a distance runner mentally and I don't want to run 5ks over & over.
ReplyDeleteEither way, I hope you find your "fun"!
You just have to figure out what works for you. I was completely demoralized by the marathon last year and I didn't even get to the start line of Chicago. I am sticking to 13.1 this year as well and concentrating on staying injury free. Before I even knew I had a stress fracture I had stopped enjoying running. Best of luck figuring it all out and here's to hoping you have a good run soon!
ReplyDeleteI'm proud of you Jenn. Acknowledging our limits is the toughest part of being an athlete, but it also shows our maturity in the sport. Take care of you first, find your mojo, and the rest with come with time. Love you!
ReplyDelete13.1 is a respectable distance. Its a distance that most people never run at any point in their lifetime. Its easy to forget that when you're in a sea of distance runners. Do whatever races look fun. Running should make you happy. I think that sub-2 is a very realistic goal. You've made so much progress in the past year. I have no doubt that you will continue to get stronger, faster and fitter.
ReplyDeleteI think it is amazing that you do any of them at all. (I can't run even a mile!) Running in Paris sounds like a great way to try again. So glad you want to keep the fun in what you do. So many of us forget to do that. Shows maturity in your sport. Keep it up and good luck on the next one.
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about marathons and i am sure that i could not do it .. but you talk about running quite often .. dont let these times get you down. i am confident that you can do it and i dont even know you ! you seem like an extremely strong willed person, who will stop at nothing to do what you want to do, and if paris is your goal .. then giddy up !
ReplyDeletelove. you're not alone. sometimes it takes some rough races to snap you back into reality and to make you realize that you need to refocus and remember why you run and what you love about it. i love that you have the honesty to put it out there for everyone to know. i too am not running the 26.2 this year for similar reasons - you and i can be each other's cheerleaders. i cannot wait to run ragnar with you and I hope RnR Savannah is one of the races you chose to run this fall. I can see 2011 being a great year for you to recenter & refocus and then coming out and kicking 2012's ass!!
ReplyDeletelove you!!
While I've never ran a marathon (or even a half), I think it is completely ok for you to scale back. I have heard many people on Twitter saying they are taking a break from the full mary. Any race is an awesome thing. P.S. I'd love to run with ya sometime!!
ReplyDeletetakes a lot more strength to stop than to keep going. even more to say it out loud. you've got all the right stuff lady. drop the stress. who cares about the belt notch crap - every step is tough and you do it all the time. take care of yourself - that's your #1. stay in love w running any way it makes sense. its all that matters. :) xo.
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