Okay, so I am not doing that race thing
I am not running the half-marathon race this coming Sunday. Oh, I know I have been training for it. And I have been telling y’all that I would be running it. But, it ain’t gonna happen.
And I’m okay with that.
There are several reasons why. You can call them excuses if you like; I don’t mind:
1. Arctic force winds … brrrrrr
2. a week long vacation
3. a week of being sick
4. plain old I just don’t feel like running
All leading up to me not getting in enough training miles.
However, I discovered the following in the process:
1. I can run long distances. My longest was 8 miles (almost 13 km).
2. I don’t like running for longer than an hour. I get very bored.
3. Running in very windy conditions, or hot conditions, causes extreme rosacea flares on my face.
4. I love to run, but prefer to do it whenever the mood strikes me.
5. If training for a race causes me stress, it takes all the fun out of something I love.
So, I will continue to run; just not this particular race. And I will go and support Sibling Rob while he runs the race.
It’s all good.
On another note, this is my last Wednesday Weigh-In post. I am busily working on my new project, and need to free up some time. As my new project is in a way health related, it makes sense to let the Weigh-In posts fall off the Lair task list.
I will be dropping into BlogToFit on a regular basis to keep in the loop on everyone’s fitness progress. And the Lion gave me WiiFit for my birthday, so I’ll have some comments of my own to leave.
Here’s to everyone achieving their fitness goals this year! We Rock!
I hear you! My hubby suggested I do a triathlon with him. I told him only if the weather was nice that day otherwise it wouldn’t be fun - FOR HIM listening to me bitch and moan about how little fun I was having.
Canadian Army Wife’s last blog post..Busy Long Weekend
Good on you, for being honest with yourself, and choosing NOT to do a half-marathon. A lot of people would have forced themselves, and would have ended up being miserable.
If you’re not into it, it won’t be fun. Why become a fitness-martyr if you don’t have to be?
Seems within the past 2-3 years, it’s the fashionable thing to be “Extreme”, and people are into half-marathons and marathons. Even 10 km isn’t’ good enough anymore.
I have a sibling who’s into this, plus two sibling-in-laws. One is even training for an “Iron Man”, for Chrissakes.
And they train, train, train and it becomes a huge time commitment that sucks up most of their free time. You go to work, you train, and you sleep. Leaving little room for anything else.
Nothing wrong with setting goals and pushing ourselves to the limit. But there’s also nothing wrong with doing things in moderation. Like running more “reasonable” (< 20 km) distances, and still getting fit. And still having a life afterward.
- Friar
(Successfully underachieving for 44 years).
Good for you - if it is not fun then just don’t do it.
My husband gets himself extreme and can not let go…he left our dinner out at a restaurant (they said dessert would take 10-12 mins to cook- a melting chocolate torte) so he popped up from the table…ran all the way down Capitol Blvd. from the Port to the park and signed up for a half marathon the next day. I am not making this up.. Then came back and ate a whopping bowl of Rhubarb Slump with a huge topping of vanilla ice cream -
I was finished with my torte with no ice cream and sipped my water.
He finished the 1/2 marathon in 2 hours and 4 mins. just 1 minutes behind the man who finished the whole marathon…and 4th in his age division. No training necessary because he road 90 miles before our dinner on a bike ride training for the 204 mile bike ride on his birthday.(July)
This is why I am going to Scotland by myself for my 60th birthday - walking on a tour to see what I want to see and meeting people…He would just use up all our funds renting bikes and disappearing on me…getting lost or road rash…
Some one tell me again why I am with this guy? Cause writing this is not making me laugh out loud?
Patricia’s last blog post..Summer Reading: Thin is the New Happy ~By Valerie Frankel
I agree. Good for you to recognize that you weren’t ready for THIS race.
I haven’t run in a month.
I stopped for a while before the trip because my left knee was hurting and I’m not about to try running, yet, while we are traveling. I’m not in good enough shape and need lose some weight before I run while we are on the road.
I stopped doing the Wednesday Weigh-in posts until we get back home… and depending how things go over the next few weeks, I may not get them done every week — or they may be minimal posts. However, I do intend to keep commenting on the Blog to Fit blog every week. It helps keep me focused, even when I am away from my regular exercise.
Mike Goad’s last blog post..Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho …, again …, maybe …, probably
I don’t know if I’ll end up running the 20K race I had planned in November because registration opened on the 13th and by the 16th the 18000 places were sold out. Supposedly more places will open up closer to the race but if I don’t make it, it doesn’t matter that much to me. I’m good doing the 10K races (have another one this Sunday - hoping my allergies aren’t that bad.)
Food for you for recognizing when and why not to do it!
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post..Taming the Voices in the Personality Zoo
I don’t really think running that much is good for you anyway. A nice gentle run to keep your aerobic fitness up a couple of times a week is one thing. The intensive, obessive training required for a marathon just doesn’t sound healthy to me. Fitness, like everything else in which a person engages in should be holistic — taking into account all aspects of the person; his/her mental, spiritual and overall physical well-being.
XUP’s last blog post..Career Counselling
You know what’s best for you. I’m super impressed you can run 8 miles! I can probably run 8 feet! LOL!
Friar - ever since the breakup of my prior relationship I have a golden rule for myself: only do what makes me happy! I base ALL my decisions on this. Sounds selfish, but it’s not. If I’m happy then I am a way better person, and everyone benefits from that. And yes, I found the time committment too much for my lifestyle and all the other fun things I want to do. Like blog!
Patricia - okay, yes, I have to say this sounds a tad extreme or dare I say obsessive. As they say, everything in moderation.
Mike - I like checking in at BlogToFit as well. Keeps me accountable.
Alex - okay, I would not be running with 18,000 people. I wouldn’t be anywhere near 18,000 people! I like the 10Ks. Fun and reasonable. Good luck on the upcoming one for you.
XUP - and after an hour of running it’s no longer spiritual for me, it’s a chore. Sibling Rob, on the other hand, loves his long runs.
Debbie - my lungs could have kept going on the 8 mile run, but my legs made it quite clear they had enough. And then they made it quite clear for the next 3 days!
Why not just run for fun? Good for you that you opted out–no use putting pressure on yourself if you don’t have to. I’m just impressed that you run–I just cannot find the joy in that. I need to get more active–I’m feeling all blobby and icky. This working stuff sure gets in the way of all the stuff I want to do!
Lin’s last blog post..Gone Breathing
Urban Panther’s last blog post..Okay, so I am not doing that race thing