I’ll start training for the Wineglass Marathon, my fourth marathon, next week.
Ever since I missed sub-4:00 at Marine Corps, I’ve been hungry–nay, STARVING–to break 4:00 in my next marathon.
It represents what was a completely unattainable goal to me just three years ago. (Once I saw 4:19 at the NYC Marathon, I knew I could take off another 20 minutes.) It represents what feels to me like a “real runner” even though I know that I have been a “real runner” since the day that I laced up those crappy shoes from DSW that I bought because the price was right, not because they were right for my body.
It is fine to reach for a big, hairy audacious goal, and even to have a laser-sharp focus on that goal.
But lately I’ve been thinking of this marathon as work. Don’t get me wrong, it will be a lot of hard work. But marathons are something I do for fun. As a release from the other obligations in my life. I’ve thought of it as just another obligation and wondered how I’d still enjoy it this time.
I’ve read a lot about these Believe I Am training journals lately. Meggie and Jess both used these journals for their last training cycle – and they both BQed! While I don’t think that this magic journal will get me a BQ, I’m really interested in recording the thoughts and emotions around my training as part of the process and I’m interested to see how changing thought patterns can affect the physical.
[photo via Leticia]
Last night, I saw the Spirit of the Marathon II with this fabulous group of NYC running girls.
We all run for a reason, and this movie followed seven runners’ journeys to the Rome Marathon. I don’t want to ruin anything, but each runner had a great story – from the father who ran to deal with his son’s drug abuse to the woman who ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks to raise money for pancreatic cancer to the pizzeria owner in Rome whom I want to become BFF with. I laughed and I cried at this movie – and I remembered why I run. (Oh, and I added the Rome Marathon to my marathon bucket list.) All of these wonderful women who I sat with in this dark movie theater on a gorgeous summer night to see a movie about running. I wouldn’t have met them if it weren’t for our shared passion in this sport.
So, yes. I have my eye on a HUGE prize, but (let me throw another cliche in!) I’m going to enjoy the journey too. Marathon training is fun and so rewarding! I’m going to make sure I enjoy that, too, and not lose sight of why I started running.
Why do you run? Marathoners: why do you train for marathons? Have you ever found yourself getting too caught up in running for a time and lost sight of why you really run? How do you reel yourself back in?
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My husband will be running the Wineglass too! Only this is his first marathon. He just started training last week. Maybe we will see you there! :)
You bought running shoes from DSW?!!!
I want to meet Mimmo, too. Have a beer and pizza at La Podista, but not the day before a marathon. ;)
@Linda: yup. When I first started working out, I bought a pair of shoes from DSW. Don't worry, more experienced runner friends quickly schooled me how wrong that was.
Mimmo is THE CUTEST. I love him.
that blue dress is gorgeous on you! where's it from?
@bll: J. Crew outlet!
I saw Spirit of the Marathon 2 last night as well and I agree with everything you said! It definitely lit a fire underneath me to get my mind in the right place for marathon training. I'm running MCM this year (first marathon ever!) and I'm so excited and totally freaked out to start training.
I'm running my first marathon (MCM) in the fall and while I know I should run to complete the race, I'm too ambitious to not go for a goal! I hope it doesn't backfire on me when I start training (hopefully) next month... good luck on your training!
I run for my health and for my family. I run to be a better me.
I can see how it's easy to get caught up in the times and self-competition, but I try to ignore it. I focus on finishing and improving things - maybe it's my form, my consistency, my pace or my breathing. Those things may lead to a faster time, but not necessarily. And that's ok.
I really wanted to see Spirit of the Marathon 2, but couldn't go last night. :-( I hope it comes out on Netflix.
You should crack open Runner's Discovery Journal too. :) It's more for a beginner, but I still bet it would inspire you!
I don't run marathons but I constantly have to remember to put exercise in the "fun" box in my mind, not the "duty" box. It's a lot easier when the weather's fine.
I think you reel yourself back in by taking a time out once in a while. It's important to feel the urge & desire to just go out & run! Obviously when training, not every run can feel like that but when I'm not training I listen to my body and run when it wants to.
I run because I love it - and then there are times when, for whatever reason, I don't love it (like the past month) so I just take a little mini break and then go back. Running has always been my passion and I hate to feel like it is something that I HAVE to do - just something I WANT to do.