Sunday, January 6, 2013

Choosing between the heartstrings

Prior to running the Chicago Marathon last October, I'd thought many times about where I wanted to attempt my first marathon.  The Honolulu Marathon and the Disney Marathon were strong contenders, and the Las Vegas Marathon got strong consideration as well.  In the end, though, it was hard to deny the appeal of one of the World Marathon Majors right in my own backyard.  Now, looking back I can't imagine having done my first marathon anywhere but in Chicago.

I was born in Chicago, grew up in the northern suburbs, and have now lived in Chicago proper for twelve years.  I love the city.  It is my home and it defines me.

My home

During the Chicago Marathon, the familiarity of my home city was a huge source of comfort.  Knowing the streets and neighborhoods so well, seeing so many of the old haunts where I've spent so much of my time, understanding the vibrant diversity and history that I was seeing.  All of it made much more of a difference than I could have ever imagined.  Running Chicago deepened my appreciation for all that the city has to offer.

Don't get me wrong.  My wanderlust drives me to travel as far and wide as time and resources will permit.  I have the utmost in appreciation for all the amazing experiences that traveling has afforded me throughout my life.  But for me, the best part of any trip is coming home.  Traveling allows you to appreciate where you are when you are not traveling.



After the Chicago Marathon last October, I immediately planned on running it again in 2013.  I couldn't wait to take another whirlwind tour of my home city in my running shoes.  I wanted redemption for a less-than-ideal first performance that was marred by injury.  I'd learned so many lessons from the first go-around and I couldn't wait to improve in 2013.  For months, running Chicago in 2013 was about as done of a deal as it could be without official registration (which opens on February 19). 

I have to admit, though, that over the past few weeks I've started wavering on this intention.

I read another runner's blog post somewhere going back on forth on whether or not to sign up for her first marathon.  Someone had commented that the decision should just feel right and that you should feel confident in your decision.  When I registered for the marathon last year, I never hesitated.  I knew that I wanted to do it, I couldn't wait to officially register, and it felt completely right.


However, the reality of my injury situation has started to cast some doubt on me these last few weeks.  I've been working very hard to rehab my existing injuries and have only been running approximately once a week.  Yet I am now battling a brand-new injury.  Granted, it's only January so I have plenty of time to keep rehabbing.  But there's a nagging voice in the back of my head that is telling me that I'm not getting any younger and this is not going to get any easier.  The voices of doubt are telling me that maybe my body is just not cut out for the stress and impact that running ensues, and that maybe I should take the year off from marathoning.

But then, it's hard to imagine NOT running Chicago.  Other voices are telling me that I don't know where life, family, and career commitments will take me in the future.  My ambitious and driven side is telling me that I should do it now while I am reasonably certain that I still can, and that nobody ever truly succeeded without taking some level of risk.

Further additions to those voices.  Yesterday I received my February 2013 edition of Runner's World Magazine.  In it was a listing of what they had picked to be the 27 best half-marathons in the United States.  I flipped to the article and this is literally the first thing that I saw:


Sigh.  I adore Disney and cannot get enough of its creative ingenuity.  I've been dying to run the Disney Wine and Dine Half since its inception in 2010.  Reading the description certainly didn't help matters.  Is this a sign from the universe?

I know I've written about Disney Wine and Dine numerous times already.  I'm sure some or all of you are probably thinking that I need to either work on my decisiveness or stop talking about this race.  But the timing in November, so soon after the Chicago Marathon and so close to Thanksgiving, really is tough.

I really do think that trying to do both races in the same year is a huge gamble, given how injury-prone I have proved to be.  It would be most prudent for me to choose either the Chicago Marathon or Disney Wine and Dine in 2013, not both.  This is not just from a physical perspective but also from a cost perspective.  Both of these races are pricey (and the Chicago Marathon is raising its registration fee from $150 last year to $175 this year!)  It is incredibly hard for me to choose one or the other, though.


Do I go for marathon redemption in my beloved home city at one of the greatest races in the world, which literally changed my entire perspective?  I'll be battling huge physical challenges and training will take over my life for several months.  But I'll have enormous home-field advantage, no travel costs, and will be working towards improving my performance at the most monumental running goal of my life.

Or do I go for a half-marathon at the amazing Disney theme parks, among the most magical places in the world, which never cease to enchant me every time I visit?  I'll have much less training on my plate and much less pressure, I've been wanting to do this race for years, and the race will be pure, unadulterated, unparalleled fun in a way that only Disney is capable of providing.  But it will also require considerable expense and travel commitments both from Adam as well as myself, and I certainly won't be attaining any PRs there.

Or... do I go for broke (literally and figuratively) and do both?  It will be very tough on the body, the pocketbook, and the calendar... but there would be both great fun as well as goal-striving.  2013 would certainly be a year that would go down in history for me from a running perspective.  Plus...

"You only live once.  But if you lived like me, once is enough."
- Frank Sinatra

(However, it does go without saying that I'm no Frank Sinatra.)

I don't have a ton of time to think about this.  Chicago Marathon registration opens on February 19 and will probably sell out quickly.  I guess if it comes down to it, I could buy myself some decision time by doing a post-close charity fundraising entry.  Fundraising scares me, though, so I'd prefer not to have to worry about it.

So where am I with this decision?  Right here:



 Isn't this fun?!?!?

18 comments:

  1. Sign up for both. When the credit card bill comes just close your eyes, avoid looking at the total bill and click "pay"! :-) If you can't run either race, at least you were registered. I think that's better to have registered and not run due to some unforeseen injury, than to be 100% healthy for both races and not be registered.

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    1. Pete, thanks so much for your thoughts and perspective! It sounds like you've been in this same situation with racing decisions in the past, yes? I think you embody Frank Sinatra's quote about only living once - and that is AWESOME.

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  2. I think what you said earlier about it feeling right is true. Even though we can't predict the future and how your health or determination or any other combination of factors will be, the truth is that the Chicago Marathon isn't going anywhere. There's plenty of time for redemption!

    I vote going for Wine and Dine. It's a new challenge and something you've wanted for a while. The year after my first full, I only ran half marathons and shorter. It was the breather I needed (and my body needed!) that allowed me to crave marathon training once again. Whatever you chose, I know it'll be great, and I can't wait to read about it!*

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    1. Amy, thanks so much for your vote with your great rationale. I think you have a great understanding of the mental and physical challenges that we face after running our first marathon. Admittedly, reading about your long training runs right now daunts me, especially since you are training for KF during the dead of the winter! Now THAT takes motivation and passion!!!!!

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  3. I echo the "it should feel right." I ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon in 2010 and had a blast! I would suggest that if you're looking for a PR/ "as fast as I can be" that the Disney races might not be the best (in my experience) but it is amazing to have a good vacation + race!

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    1. Thanks for your thoughts on the Disney races, Lauren! I went back to read your post on the Disney Princess Half, and it sounds like it was an AMAZING experience. I loved hearing about all the cameraderie and seeing the pictures of all the costumes. It makes me want to run a Disney race even more (sans that 5:45 AM start at the Princess Half, yikes!)

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  4. I agree, the Chicago Marathon isn't going anywhere. You've done it once, and you can do it again another year. I vote to try a new race and do the Wine & Dine. And listen to your gut in regards to doing both races. However, I assume the Wine & Dine is like other Disney races in that you don't actually race them, so your pace will probably be a bit more "forgiving" than a standard half marathon. But, for me personally, I stick to races that I 100% want to do and feel confident that I can do with a smile on my face. If I'm wavering, I save my money and wait for another race that feels right without question.

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    1. Thanks for your thoughts, Maggie! As so many of us were discussing, I want to be much more selective with my races this year. But for me, being selective only meant that I liked the race itself. I didn't really think about the confidence of smiling during the race as one of the selectivity criteria - UNTIL you brought it up just now. And it is a HUGE, HUGE factor!

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  5. Decisions decisions. It's always tough to plan for something, whether it be a race or vacation or just about anything, that takes place far in the future. It's certainly a gamble that you need to be confident in taking! I'm gonna be totally cliche here, but what is your heart telling you? I loved the Rock n' Roll half for example, and would love to run it again through Chicago but I hesitated registering for 2013 because I know it's not going anywhere and I chose to spend my $$$ on another race instead. Also, a half marathon is much easier and more forgiving than a full marathon. But then again, this may be the last year Chicago isn't a lottery entry! Ahhh such a tough decision!

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    1. Irina, thanks for your thoughts! I didn't even consider that the Chicago Marathon might go to a lotto system next year, argh!!!!! And you ask a great question about what my heart is telling me. At this point I am more torn than anything, but I am realizing that it would be a relief not to have to undergo marathon training this year. So that is a huge consideration...

      Which race are you planning on doing instead of RnR Chicago? I loved RnR Chicago too so I am dying to know which race you selected over it!

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  6. Hmm... I'd vote go with Disney if possible. Chicago (as mentioned above) will still be around. Plus, why not do a race someplace else? I'm fairly confident ill be registering for Chicago this year simply because its in my backyard. BUT, there are so many other races out there to do! :)

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    1. Thanks, Xaar! Although, Irina brought up a good point that Chicago might go to a lotto system in the near future since it's started getting so popular. But I guess that kind of a "what if" isn't a strong enough reason to push for this year unless I really want to do it this year...

      Are you still thinking about your hat-trick of marathons? And where do you stand with signing up for a tri!?!?!?!?

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    2. Ok so here it goes- (which will become its own blogpost soon enough lol)

      Don't worry about the what ifs. Do what makes you happy. :) there are plenty of cool marathons out there asides from Chicago. I'm surprised Disney isn't on a lottery system yet.

      As for the hat trick, I dunno. Mainly because I want to do the North face 50k in September. (Slowly and enjoying every second of it) hopefully running it with Mrs Kim and anyone else who wants to join my entourage. (Im also looking at you) Hehe

      I'm thinking of a spring marathon now because my issues seem to be getting better. Who knows though what next week will be like.

      I'm definitely going to do the TRI. I haven't signed up yet, but plan to soon. (I'm going to use my hybrid mountain bike) so I'm not out to win it. I just want to have fun and train a bit for it. And learn how to swim. I know I won't drown, but I'm a good doggy paddler. Not a swimmer.

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    3. I can't wait to read the full blogpost soon. =)

      I love the philosophy of doing just what makes us happy! I am nostalgic for Chicago since it's in our backyard, but yes, there are HUNDREDS of cool marathons out there other than Chicago.

      You would do AWESOME at the 50K!!! I would love to someday run a 50K but this year I'm having trouble just committing to a marathon, LOL. But I will live vicariously through your experience!

      So exciting that you're thinking about a spring marathon again! Which one?!?!?

      Also so exciting that you've definitely decided to do the TRI! And as you said yourself, just go out there and enjoy yourself because it'll be an absolutely amazing experience for you. I can't wait to cheer you on!!!

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  7. Like others said, my gut went toward Disney as well. But I was also thinking about how busy you have been at work... fitting in training for a full may be a total PITA, and I know you do not prefer to wake up and run early in the am! Not that that should stop you... but if your heart is not 100% in it, I wouldn't pay the $175 (geesh! that is a lot!).

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    1. Thanks, Kim! You bring up a great point about work being so crazy and that making it tough to train properly, too, especially over the summer. And yes, you are exactly right that I like being able to sleep in. =D

      I'm not happy about the $175... it's starting to get closer to the New York Marathon in terms of costs, now, which is not a good thing. Grrr.

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  8. I'd go with the Disney run! You said you've wanted to do it since it started, and you have already run the Chicago Marathon once, so why not? And less training and less pressure may be a good thing while you're getting over your injury. Besides, it sounds really fun, and I'm sure there's something to be said here about a dream being a wish your heart makes.

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    1. Thanks, Anne! Less training and less pressure does sound so refreshing and amazing. =D

      When you mentioned "a dream being a wish your heart makes" it made me realize that you are truly a woman from my own heart! I love that quote!!!

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