Last night I made the official decision to end my marathon training.
Umm, ok I had never really started my marathon training in the first place. Oops.
But I had considered kicking it into high gear and going full out from now until race day in mid-October. I talked to “Fitarella” (aka Jacqueline) both at BlogHer and last night at the Healthworks Blogger Picnic. With her voice of reason, I decided that rushing my training and pushing through 26 miserable miles wouldn’t be a great way to tackle my first marathon.
I thought I’d have lots of free time this summer. But between weddings, blog events, working, a few vacations, and life in general, there was no time to be found. Whenever I thought about running, I got overwhelmed and frustrated. I wanted to spend time with my boyfriend. I wanted to sleep. I didn’t want to grab my sneakers and head outside. Or maybe I did feel like running…but not for hours at a time. 20-30 minutes is my ideal workout!
I don’t think I’ll run more than one marathon in my life. I like Half Marathons. They’re fun and easy. I ran 1 in 2009 and I’ll be running my 2nd of 2010 in early October. Continuing to grow my numbers, I’m going to try to complete 3 Half Marathons in 2011.
I’d also like to complete my one and only full marathon.
When I finally do buckle down and train for the big “Twenty Six point Two,” I want to be prepping for a race that I feel passionate about. Maybe a race in a fun location? Disney World? A race with a lot of history? Boston? Or a race that’s sure to be a wild time? Any of the Rock and Roll marathons? Once I’m emotionally invested in my race, I’ll be able to dedicate the time and energy needed to prepare my body.
I’ve prepped for athletic events my whole life. I know that when I have a goal in mind, I will put in the hours of practice. But I also know that big competitions involve huge time commitments. I need to plan my life events around my training. No parties, vacations, or weddings to get in my way. 
I like to be active. And I really do love running. But I have to love it on my terms. I learned that it’s ok to have a race day dream, but then change my mind. The dream is still there, but the schedule has just changed a little bit. I’ll run those damn 26.2 miles someday in the near future. But there are so many other things on my mind, so many things to be happy about, and I want running to be there to help me keep smiling. Not contribute to stress and bring me down.
So from now until October 1st, I’ll be training for the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon. No formal plan. But I’ll make sure I do 3 long runs leading up to the race (6, 8, and 10 miles). Oh, and I’ll drag Jared on as many runs as possible so that my guy is also prepared to run around Disney World! 
COMMENTS
14 Comments
1. Comically Fit
August 11th, 2010 03:46 PM
Hi Melissa – I’m a first-time commenter but have been reading your blog for the past couple of months. I think that you have an excellent balanced and refreshing approach to life and fitness, and I definitely understand and respect your decision! I made the same choice last fall after a haphazard attempt at training for marathon #2 and have absolutely no regrets! There will always be other marathons, but many fun life events only happen once!
2. Kelly
August 11th, 2010 04:25 PM
I think this is a great decision. You don’t want to be miserable doing something like marathon training, thats not worth it. Plus I totally understand how your summer has become so much busier than you expected it to be. I feel like that happens to me every summer. Even though I technically have more time I end up doing SO much and I’m exhausted at the end of it.
3. Abby
August 11th, 2010 06:04 PM
I feel ya, girl. Totally, totally understand. It’s tough but a good decision
4. Lauren @ Health on the Run
August 11th, 2010 06:25 PM
Sorry you had to put your marathon dreams to the side for now, but I think you made the right choice. This actually happened to me last spring, and as hard as it was at first to admit that I simply was not going to be ready to run the marathon, it ended up being the best decision I could’ve made. I dropped down to the half and had a ton of fun. So…I know it’s probably disappointing, but you seem to have a great attitude. You’re right — you’ll get those 26.2 miles someday!!
5. amy
August 11th, 2010 08:54 PM
melissa- have you always been a runner? My ultimate goal would be to eventually run a marathon but I’m just trying to ask, was it hard to get from running 4 miles at the most to running a half marathon.
6. Shannon
August 12th, 2010 06:37 AM
You have had such a busy summer! All really fun things that you would have missed out on if your priority had been training. I think you made the right decision because you have a summer full of fun memories. There will always be another marathon and you want to enjoy the preparation for it.
7. Di
August 12th, 2010 07:30 AM
I think it’s great that you’ve recognized trying to push through all of those miles could be bad for you at this stage of the game. Good luck with the half-marathon training, you’ll get your 26.2 miles in some day!
8. Bekah @ runtrackmind
August 12th, 2010 10:11 AM
Sorry to hear that you will not be running Newport after all, but it sounds like you made the best decision for you and don’t worry, you’ve got a 26.2 in you when your ready!
9. Natalie (The Sweets Life)
August 12th, 2010 11:55 AM
I think you made the right choice for YOU and that’s important! With 2 months to go til my first marathon I’m realizing how important it is to be in the right place mentally!
10. BostonRunner
August 12th, 2010 12:29 PM
I completely agree with what everyone said above, there’s no sense in pushing it through your first marathon! I made the same decision last year when I started and stopped training. When I finally run my (one and only) marathon, I will really want it and have the time to be devoted to it. I think you have a really balanced outlook on life, fitness and health and I don’t think there’s any reason to sacrafice that right now
11. Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans
August 12th, 2010 12:57 PM
I think you made the right call on this one. When you are ready, mentally and physically, and the time is right you’ll get there but there is no sense in pushing it. Great attitude and good luck with your training for the 1/2!
12. Julianne
August 12th, 2010 01:53 PM
Its hard to make the right call, but kudos to you for doing it! It takes guts to back down.
13. Cole
August 13th, 2010 11:36 AM
I was wondering what happened with your marathon training! I’m glad to get an update and I totally understand why. You go girl, at least you know yourself and your body well enough that this race isn’t for you right now. What is your cousin going to do now, run alone? Sorry if you wrote that already and I missed it :0
14. ~Melissa~
August 15th, 2010 10:16 AM
Thank you all for your words of support!
It was a tough decision, but I’m really excited to run my 3rd Half Marathon in October. And I can’t wait to share my 1st marathon story…whenever that day may be!