A year ago at this time, I was anxiously awaiting the registration opening for the 2012 Chicago Marathon. The morning of, it was hard for me to focus on anything else. Five minutes prior to the noon opening, I was at my computer repeatedly hitting refresh, my heart pounding in my throat. Even though there are 45,000 entries to the Chicago Marathon, I was still anxious that something might go wrong, that somehow I wouldn't be able to reserve my spot last year.
One year ago, I was filled with anticipation, determination, and fortitude towards the Chicago Marathon. I knew that the training and the race would be hard, but I was ready. Maybe not quite physically, but definitely mentally.
Registration for the 2013 Chicago Marathon opens tomorrow at noon CST.
I've been debating what to do about the 2013 Chicago Marathon for a few months now. I've been going back and forth and back and forth. But with registration now upon us, enough was finally enough. It was time to make my decision.
Tomorrow, I will NOT be registering for the 2013 Chicago Marathon.
There are so many reasons to go for it, and so many reasons not to go for it. But the biggest reason for this decision is the simplest:
My heart is not into it this year.
It's funny because I've imagined so many times that my
second marathon (whenever it happens) would be easier than my first
because I now know so
much more what to expect. But I am also realizing that my second marathon
will also be harder than my first because I now know so much more what to expect. It's a double-edged sword.
When I wrote this post early last month, I was torn but deep down I was already starting to lean in one direction. I really liked the idea of running the 2013 Chicago Marathon - but I didn't like the idea of preparing for it. Right now, the thought of undergoing the rigorous training schedule and the enormous time commitments feel more burdensome than anything else. And this is NOT what the marathon experience is supposed to feel like.
Right now, I am not ready to commit to another marathon.
This might change in a month or two. If so, there will be plenty of other options. Or, there is always next year. But right now, I will be more than happy to focus on other race distances and on building speed. There's also a world of cross-training, yoga/pilates, and weight-training to challenge me. In short, I've got plenty there to keep myself busy.
26.2, I will be back for you another day. Just not on October 13, 2013.
So while you might not register tomorrow, what about Thursday!? Hehe I feel you though. If you're not into the time commitment and everything, it's best not to drop almost $200 on registering. There's plenty of other races and distances to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteHope we can catch up soon! I want to hear all about Cabo! :)
LOL, I was waiting for someone to suggest that I register on Wednesday or Thursday instead. ;) But in all seriousness, considering that Chicago sells out more and more quickly each year, it may not even make it past tomorrow!!! Craziness!!! You're set to register tomorrow, though, yes? And did you sign up for Naperville before it sold out?
DeleteWe MUST catch up soon!!! My weekends are pretty open these next few months, so let's pick a time and get together!!! Are you going to the CRB beer run this Saturday, btw?
My weekends are pretty open also- once I complete my "longish" runs :)
DeleteI'm probably not doing the beer run since I have to run 14 miles. Unless I plan it to end at the brewery (which I'm not good at planning runs) plus I haven't been waking up early enough to get done by 10am...
I'll be registering for Chicago today. I'm on a huge running kick currently which is bad for the pocketbook. Hehe and ill also be running Naperville and possibly Fox Valley again. (It's all part of my major plan...)
So I'd say Sunday is good for me (we could run 4-5 miles if you're up to it) or we could get coffee and chat. Or we could do next weekend if that's better.
Bummer that you won't be at the beer run but I totally understand! By the way, did I ever mention to you that I ran the Get Lucky Half last year myself? Will have to tell you more about it the next time we catch up.
DeleteI'm still trying to get back on my feet with my running, so I don't want to hold you back while you are in the final weeks of your half marathon training! But I'm totally up for getting together this Sunday for coffee/brunch and to chat! I'll email you. =)
Emailed you :)
DeleteAnd so cool you did get lucky last year!
You're heart usually knows best. In the meantime...lots of other races to conquer in 2013 if you so desire. EMC.
ReplyDeleteThanks, sweetie - and thanks for putting up with listening to me debate back and forth about it for months. Still debating what to do about Wine & Dine, but let's deal with one race at a time, yes? ;) EMC and AWV!
DeleteI'm not registering either. Whatever your next marathon will be, you will absolutely know it's the one!
ReplyDeleteAh yes, I remember that you prefer different race atmospheres than what Chicago presents. I am so excited to hear how things go for you during and while training for the Jailbreak Marathon!!!
DeleteI am not registering -- there are some other great options when (and if) the mood strikes!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, so many amazing options in all distances!!! I am so excited for the Esprit de She (thanks again for looping us all in!)... and the Seawheeze Half that you are doing in Vancouver sounds AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!!! If I wasn't going to be in Toronto that same weekend, I would have LOVED to run Seawheeze (I've got family in Vancouver!)
DeleteWelcome back! It sounds like you've put a lot of thought into your decision, and I think in the end, if you're not feeling it, you're making the right choice to not sign up tomorrow. There's so many other races/distances to do, and running is supposed to be fun (right? tell me it'll get fun eventually!) so why sign up for a race that your heart isn't into and stress about training for it? The Chicago Marathon isn't going anywhere, so there's always other years!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anne! Indeed, running is supposed to be fun - although I do certainly have my good days and my bad days - but YES, running will get fun eventually! (I'm saying this as much for you as for myself. =D ) By the way - I met up with Katie K yesterday. We were talking again about the Wisconsin Half weekend in May and both hoping that you'll be there either as a spectator or as a runner!!! =D
DeleteHope you had a great trip to Cabo!!! Sounds like you made the right decision for you!! It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement of it, but if your heart isn't in it then its best to wait until another year.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kayla!!! I am still debating running the Disney Marathon in January 2014 but probably not, since it's only three months later than Chicago. So where you do you stand with your marathon planning now!?!?!?
DeleteHaha. that is a good question. I had the registration form filled out for Twin Cities the other day but didn't go through with it. I just don't dare since I haven't heard about jobs yet. If I get going ASAP I still feel like I could do Minneapolis in June but right now I'm leaning towards no. If it works with jobs...I will do Twin Cities if its not full, but will probably wait until I know for sure before signing up. But I am tentatively still planning on Disney :) Oh and even though I'm waiting til I have money again to sign up: I am planning on the Wisconsin half :)
DeleteAh, I've done that many times where I've filled out a registration form but then didn't hit "submit." I'm definitely leaning more towards the mentality of waiting later to register for races, even though it's more expensive, as opposed to signing up way early when you don't know what might be going on then. YAY for the Wisconsin Half!!! It'll be so great to see you there!!!
DeleteOkay, that's great. Now tell me about Cabo!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though, I TOTALLY understand. I had so much fun in 2012 not training for a marathon. I thought I would miss it but now that I'm doing it again, well, I realized that I didn't miss it as much as I thought!
LOL. I remembered reading your guest post on Kelly J's blog about your year away from marathoning and how good it sounds. =) Marathon training in the summer is tough enough, but doing it in the winter adds even more challenge! Are you committed to Illinois yet or still testing the waters!?!?
DeleteYou sound good with your decision, which tells me that it was the right one for you! 26.2 isn't going anywhere, so there is no need to rush getting back to it. And I know that whatever races you do run, you will rock!
ReplyDeleteYou know, when you had said that you took a year off after your first marathon to regroup, it really resonated with me. I totally understand how you must have felt. Likewise - I know you are debating what to do about the KF Marathon (I'll comment on your post shortly) - but I know that whatever you choose will be for the best. It's so hard, though, isn't it?
DeleteIf your heart isn't in it, then you are definitely making the right choice! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pete. I am very glad that you were able to successfully sign up today despite the registration website meltdown!!!
DeleteYes, what a relief! :-)
DeleteI think you made your decision in the best possible manner. You didn't try to ride on the hope that you could eventually convince yourself to get into the right mindset. You made the decision to not run solely on what your heart told you and that's the best inner guiding voice you have! There will always be 26.2 miles waiting for you in the form of many many races, and you'll know when you find the right one for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Irina!!! It can be so difficult to make these decisions when it comes to racing - especially when there are SO many options out there and we work so hard for these goals. But definitely I believe that we will KNOW when we want to run a particular race or distance - there should never be any question! =)
DeleteEither way, You made the right decision for you girl...if your heart is not in it, it wouldn't turn out how you wanted it to! Glad you had a good time in Cabo...blessings Em
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shannon! Appreciate the support, and blessings and big hugs to you as always!!!
DeleteThe marathon is such a big commitment, your heart DEFINITELY needs to be in it! Heck, I feel this way for any race, even 5K's.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you on the amount of heart that goes into pretty much all races!!! It's always been very difficult for me to run any race just for fun because there is always some kind of goal that I am working towards. Maybe I need to work on not always working on goals? LOL
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