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Thursday, November 5

To Marathon Or Not To Marathon That Is The Question...

So I have actually been seriously thinking about making a dream of mine to run a marathon a reality. I like most runners want this allusive distance. I want the bumper sticker that says "26.2". I want to experience that rush and all the emotions of achieving this dream. Yet, I find myself so unsure... and I think if I am this unsure then how in the world do I think I have what it takes to do this? I keep talking myself out of trying for various reasons which, I will step out on a limb and share. Reason one is I'm too old to handle this type of training now, I know stop laughing, but the truth is I have been feeling my "age" this year more than ever. Two it would require serious winter training for the April marathon I am considering. I have run through some very cold months, but most of the time I was training with someone, so the accountability got me up and out of bed in 30 degree temps, and I don't know if I have it in me to keep plugging through the cold months. Third reason is I know how hard I can be on myself to fixate on a certain time goal and having never run that type of distance, can I keep my expectations real enough to not be faced with disappointment throughout training and the actual marathon? Okay I am feeling very vulnerable letting you all in my head...Lastly I have heard that running a marathon is mostly mental so when I consider the above I'm not sure I have the mental fortitude to do it. My husband keeps telling me that the mental toughness will come with training, and I believe that because I have seen it as I have trained for other distances, but I have had such an off year running that I wonder if I can even get to that point. You see what I'm doing??? Then there is the fear of failure, which I won't even go there... I am considering doing Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. This is the perfect marathon for me because the inspiration I need to run is built right into the race. I do love the feeling that personal accomplishment gives you, the feeling when you have crossed the finish line and achieved that goal, but that is not what drives me to get out there and put in the hard work. And that makes me wonder do I have what "it" is to drive me to do this? I don't know, and that worries me. Do I need to feel that "I have got to have this" feeling in order to take on this dream? My dilemma is, I am not convinced I can do it and are my desires strong enough to take on this dream now? So, the question is, to marathon or not to marathon?

6 comments:

Mary Ann said...

Terri,

Your day will come and you are not too old! And it is very much a mental game, but having a good training plan is so important, too. I love the training plan on the Little Rock Marathon website. It's just straight running-no cross training-just a 5-day-a-week plan to run.

One thing that gets me out of bed on those cold mornings is thinking about the nice cup of Chai or Cocoa I will reward myself with when I return from the run. :-)

I think you can do it and esp if you have your husband's support and encouragement. Just pray about the timing-maybe you need a slow rebuilding year and maybe 2011 would be a better time than 2010.

Blessings!

Mark said...

Terri,
Marathon!!! Of course I would say that! I just know the deep sense of satisfaction and accompishment is worth all the running. You will be glad you did it! Only problem....you might get hooked!:)

Wendy said...

I agree w/Mark - beware of getting hooked!

I also say - MARATHON! You can do it and for me the mental toughness came w/training and the confidence that each long run brings, knowing you can go further than you ever imagined.

The finish is worth all the cold running! I think it is great that your husband is so supportive, that makes such a difference!

Keri said...

First off, I did think of you when I saw those eyes! That was my first thought!

You can run a marathon trust me! My email is k_dodson1@hotmail.com if you want to send me an email, I would love to give you a long pep talk on why you can do this!

All of us will keep you accountable! You can do it! One foot in front of the other!

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

Have you run some shorter races? That will help you to know if you can train for 26.2. Sounds like your husband is for it! : ) I've looked into the OK City Memorial marathon - sounds like a good one.

Stacey said...

Terri! Thanks for your comment the other day, it totally blessed me!

Oh, and I am with Wendy: Marathon!

I am having a rebuilding year as well, and quite frankly I tinker with this dream as well, and have some very strong emotions about it, that I will share on my blog soon.

Perhaps Mary Ann is right and 2011 is best for you? Pray about it!