It seems like 2011 has been the year of really difficult decisions for me. I have been recently faced with several. The one that relates to this blog is my choice to enter the Baltimore Half Marathon. I have registered and paid my money. So in essence, I've made a commitment to do it. That's the problem...
The Baltimore Half is on Oct. 15th which is roughly 2 months away. Based on my training plan, I should have run 8 miles on Saturday. I struggled to get 6 in. I know that I am not a good runner when I'm running by myself. I go slower and run a shorter distance than when I'm running with other people. I also know that I'm a better runner when I'm strong. Since I'm temporarily living at my parents' house for 3 more weeks, then moving to a new area, I have not been going to a gym. I plan to start at a gym when we get to the new house but this transition time is too crazy to try to throw in a gym membership.
And I've mentioned a few times on this blog that I'm an extremely competitive person. I would not be happy just to finish the half. I have already run 3 so "just finishing" doesn't seem like much of an accomplishment. I want to break 2 hours. If I can't achieve that, I really want to run better than I did last year. Based on my current level of ability, I'm nowhere near accomplishing either.
So, after much consideration, I have decided to continue training but take the pressure off. I'm going to run the 5K instead of the Half. I know, I know...some of my readers will think this is being a quitter. However, I know that if I put together a lousy performance in the Half, I'll be pissed. So for my mental sanity for the next 2 months (which are going to be incredibly hectic anyway), I have decided to take the pressure off and not run the Half.
As soon as I made that decision, I immediately felt better. Right now I have to make all my decisions based on what feels right. This one feels right. So I'm sorry to Dave who will say that I should suck it up and get out there and train properly and I'll be able to do it. But right now being a quitter is EXACTLY what I need to be.
Read along with my blog as I discuss weight, schedule and life challenges as I try to get my triathlon training back on track. I will also discuss what I've learned along the way and what new goals I'm setting for myself.
I also wanted to say that you're not alone! I wanted to break two hours for the Salisbury half, but after a knee injury in May and now a pulled butt muscle (did you know you can do that?!), I've decided to take the pressure off too. There will be many more years and many more races to run!
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