26 replies to this topic

[julz83]

that is the question.

so ive kind of made my mind up about this but i thought i'd put it to this amazing supportive community to see what any thoughts were.

Last couple of days Ive been giving lots (maybe too much) thinking to my running. Sunday just gone i ran the bridge to brisbane and it was by far the worst 10km time ive ever had recorded. I had just spent a week in bed and was sick and probably shouldnt have run but it truly felt so horrible. definately not what running is about for me.

So with that in mind ive spent the last 8 or so weeks training for my first half marathon.
My training definately hasnt gone to plan. At all. And with only 4 weeks to go i feel so far from ready that it's not funny.
My diet has been shocking, not necessarily tied in with running but i just feel like im losing touch,i just find myself mindlessly eating crap and have definately put on weight.
Running used to be such an enjoyable thing for me but now it's not. I just feel like im putting so much unecessary pressure on myself.

So this morning i made the decision that im not going to run the half. I received my race pack today but im happy to forfeit it.
Maybe ive made the wrong decision but i just want to get back to running because i can not because i 'have' to.

I want to build up a solid running base again and really got on top of my itb issues and get back on track with healthy eating and get my mind sorted out, im all over the shop currently.
There will always be another half marathon but there is only one me and i dont feel my sanity is worth doing in just so i can tick another achievement off the list.

am i playing silly buggers or am i doing the right thing? it's not an easy decision for me to make and ive literally spent all day weighing up the pros and cons.

[Bellthorpe]

No, you're not playing silly buggers. You've weighed up the issues, made a decision, and now you're implementing it.

That's how successful people run their lives.

Enjoy!

[Colsy]

If you dont enjoy it, dont do it.

Running doesnt have to be about events, running is about running and everyone has their own way of expressing their love for it.

I think you are being too worried about it all. I am also wondering why, even though you have made your decision, you are then asking if its the right thing or not. This will only cause you more angst if people say you have made the worng decision.

If you think the training for the event is lessening your enjoyment of running then yes, I guess you have made the right decision but who knows what is right or wrong for you?.

Be happy with your decision either way, and see the positives.

Be the master/mistress of your destiny.

[TynoMite]

Julz, I reckon you're probably on the right track with not doing this one.
Missing a week or two is one thing, you really haven't had a solid month since Gold Coast have you?
I was concerned leading into Noosa half, but still confident I could do it.
It doesn't sound to me like you're in that kind of position.
Assuming you have accommodation and everything organised, I reckon it'd be worth asking if you can go down to the 10k or whatever it is there.
You'd still get to meet all those crazy Mexican Cool Runners and they might be able to suggest alternate events to aim for.
Running at our level shouldn't feel like chore or obligation.
Rest, recuperate and get back into it when your body and mind are ready.
You can still stay involved by volunteering/marshalling etc.
Maybe helping others out will get your mojo back too.......

[Margot]

I agree with tynomite. Helping at one of the races is a great way to become inspired again. Although it is not always possible to get the job you want, but you could always put in a request for a marshall position near the finish, or in the finish chute. This way you are supporting the runners at the time they need it most. From personal experience, I found this really helped when I was not able or up to competing.
Margot

[Colsy]

Marshalling is good fun, I just did the Adelaide Mara. Melbourne would be even better.

[volc]

Running is not the be all and end all. It is a very beneficial for health and fitness. But it's not the only way to get and keep fit.

If you are not racing at the pointy end of the field, it's not worth putting pressure on yourself over doing a set race, in a set time. The point is to enjoy your running. Your goals should be motivating you, not stressing you.

Personally, I find there is nothing better than running at a nice comfortable pace, on a sunny day with great scenery. However, I do have a tendancy to obsess over my running, and I also have a distressing tendancy to get injured. This is where having a few strings to my bow re fitness helps. So when I get injured from running, I can fall back on cycling, or swimming, or weights, or cricket, or getting on the cross trainer, or even just walking.

I run because I love running. Hopefully one day I can string enough training together to reach somewhere close to my potential. If I ever run close to what I was able to manage as a teenager again, I will be happy. But even if I don't, I'm just happy to be able to run.

My advise, FWIW, is to ditch running until you are over your ITB and to pick up another activity of the cross training variety for enjoyment only. When you come back to running (and I reckon you will) you will be so glad to be back to it.

[julz83]

ah thanks guys.

colsy- im not so much asking for a yay or nay on the choice ive made, more just using this place as a sound board as ive had all these thoughts flowing through my head literally all day and havent voiced them to anyone yet (well i have now i guess).
im a stubborn bitch, once my mind is made up im pretty set in my ways.

dave- i havent booked flights yet and was going to stay with friends down there. after being on prac for a month and not working, saving money on flights is something that i need right now. and no i havent had a solid month probably even before the gold coast.

as much as i was looking forward to meeting lots of other cool runners i think i will just take a raincheck this time.

[BOD]

Julz,

Bellthorpe, Colsy and Tynomite have said it all. Some people think that a "DNS" (Did Not Start) is a an admission of failure. I read recently (Higdon or a wise CR?) that "DNS" more properly stands for "Did Nothing Stupid". Relax and start enjoying your running.

Good luck.

[Fossil]

yep - right decision - I had 4 spells where I trained for a year or so and then stopped completely for a year - just didn't feel like putting in the effort but finally I have had 8 straight years and it's been the best ever!

[maryclaire]

I find that when a big decision need to be made, I need to play Devil's Advocate for a few days. Take one stance (ie. not running the 1/2 and backing off the running) and sit on it for a few days - really work it through; your feelings to seeing others run, the questions of "what if" etc that will no doubt arise; then spend a few days living as if you're going to run the race (but perhaps without the training?) - how will you feel knowing you've completed it (never mind times)?

Personally, I find that when the "right" decision is made, it just sits well and everything falls into place around it. When a "bad" or sub-optimal decision is made, there remains niggling doubts and uneasiness. I hope this helps.

I really hope you get your mojo back! Sometimes it takes more courage to know when to back off and re-group. And I think from the responses above, you will not get anything bu support from people here.

[Running Angel]

BOD, on Sep 10 2008, 08:23 PM, said:

Julz,

Bellthorpe, Colsy and Tynomite have said it all. Some people think that a "DNS" (Did Not Start) is a an admission of failure. I read recently (Higdon or a wise CR?) that "DNS" more properly stands for "Did Nothing Stupid". Relax and start enjoying your running.

Good luck.

I'd rather have a DNS than a DNF any day! There's always another race around the corner Julz, you will know when the time is right

[flick]

Julz,

You are doing the absolute right thing.

I was in the same place as you this time last year training for the Melbourne half. It wasn't going well. I had several injuries and wasn't enjoying my running at all. Had a training plan and just couldn't stick to it. However I fronted for the half, hated ever minute, aggravated all my injuries and then didn't (couldn't) run for four months. Since February I have been again building up my base and I am loving my running again!

I look back to October last year and think "What was I thinking".

Good luck!

[Didge]

hey julz,

I think you are doing the right thing. You sound like you have put yourself under alot of pressure to train for melbourne, and with the way your health has been, I think it's a great idea to take that pressure off yourself, and just get back to the basics of running and healthy eating, and just enjoying it again. As others have said, there will be other races to run.

Cheers,

Didge

[julz83]

thank you so much everyone for your responses.

i think i appreciate hearing that im not making an irrational decision.

now on to running just because i can!

[balfey]

as i'm still yet to run a half (and probably will be for some time) I can't say anything from experience, but I know how difficult it would be to pull out four weeks before the event. If you know that's what you have to do, well done for making that decision, it must take a lot of strength. I don't think I'd be able to make myself do it, even knowing I should.

[serena]

Smart move for all sorts of reasons you have listed Julz. Don't sweat the unused race number - I have entered more races I haven't run than races I have--no one could care less, including me. As you said yourself there are literally hundreds of Halfs all over the place but only one you. You take care of yourself and put your feet up for a few days.
sj

[Melruns]

There's only one you, and there's only one first HM, do it when you feel good and prepared, I reckon.

[Didge]

staypuff, on Sep 11 2008, 08:12 AM, said:

No time no distance we'll just run till we dont feel like running and then find a good coffee shop lol

Oooohh! Sounds like my kind of run....can I come too??

[Colsy]

What Staypuff said, cancel that entry today. Running with no time or distance is great funn....a kind of freedom.

Yesterday I had to drop my wifes' car off for a service. I wore my running clothes so I could run the 7 KMs home. I had no HRM or watch or anything. It was one of the best short runs I have had in ages, I took detours, stopped here and there to look at some houses, found a letter in the street and ran until I found the correct address, smelled the fresh air and just had fun. I didnt think about City to Bay or Melbourne. Didnt even think about time.

Thats what running should be like.

Just run Julz.

[MissPinkyInSydney]

Julz,
I totally agree with what the others have said and I can also totally understand how you are feeling. There is nothing worse than losing your mojo and each run basically feeling like some sort of punishment! That is just horrible and only makes you feel "down" about yourself. You are much better off taking a break from running (or if you still want to run just do it with no racing pressure, etc). The body really does "remember" how to run, even after an extended break.

Relating to what Colsy said about "taking the time to smell the roses" on his 7K run, one of my "usual" runs goes across this bridge (Captain Cook Bridge) that has a plaque on it. Each time I go over it I think "one day I will stop and read that plaque". I am now going to make sure I do that next time....life is too short to miss the good stuff while pursuing a goal......unless of course you are an elite!

[Madrunner]

I find my best runs are with my kids - just running small distances for fun and getting back to what it is all about becuase that is exactly how the kids see it. I just finish these sessions so happy and full of life and loving running.

I will run a half and a marathon one day, but when i am ready, and feel good and if that means entering a race then not running, and waiting if it just isnt right, then so be it.

You made the right decision becuase it is right for you!

Good luck when you decide it will all go well, and enjoy!

[Ron1]

Julz83,

Nothng ever goes to plan in distance running. There is seldom a perfect preparation. And perfect race days are rare indeed. So just relax and don't beat yourself up over this. Plenty of opportunities to get back into the swing of things and tick a few more things off your list.

Just pretend and act like you are enthusiastic when you think you're not and you might surprise yourself. Thoughts precede action and all the rest of that psycho-stuff.

[julz83]

once again thankyou everyone for your responses.

after sleeping on my decision i am now sure that i have made the right choice. will just have to stop myself from reading the melbourne mara threads now....

staypuff i would love to go for a run with you one day followed by a flat white, you too didge!

ive had this stupid lingering head cold but once i shake that i'll be back to my normal run routine of just heading out the door and seeing where it takes me.
colsy your 7km appliance free run sounds like just the ticket.

i know that when i do eventually run a half and a full marathon i will be ready and will relish every minute of it but until then all plans are out the window.