When I decided to run my first marathon this September, I decided to take a cue from Heidi in regards to the long runs. I read her blogs while she was training for her marathon, and she often registered for small, local half marathons in order to accomplish a chunk of her long run on the weekend.
I thought about it, and decided I liked her thinking! I mean, cranking out 15, 16, 19 miles solo would get exhausting, right? I’ve never been one to run in groups or with partners, so this seemed like an easier technique for me to accomplish those long runs.
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| This is me… I’m thinking 🙂 |
Enter this Saturday. I am registered for the Sand Creek Half Marathon this weekend. Technically, I have 15 on the schedule, so I had planned to run the half and then go home and finish the other two miles in the afternoon.
However, I am thinking about not running the race. Yup, you heard me: another DNS. (You may remember my first-ever DNS here in November with a snowshoe race!) And you know what? I am not sure I can pinpoint a concrete reason as to why I am not feeling it!
Honestly, a large part of me wavering on the race is due to all of the issues I’ve been having lately with my running. Y’all have read about my breathing issues, first with the smoke then with the humidity, so I know you understand what I’m talking about. I am not sure I want to get up freaking early, drive to Stapleton, and attempt to run a race where I may or may not have another asthma attack, cause a scene, trip on a curb, break my face, etc, etc, etc. Know what I mean?
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| I switched out my laces for my new Sweat Pink laces! I’m in neon heaven! |
Don’t get me wrong– I’m still going to run 15 miles this weekend! However, I am debating just doing it at home, where I can do multiple loops near my apartment so that I can check in with my inhaler, and if need be, jump on a treadmill instead. In a way, it makes me a lot less nervous and less stressed out. But then again, I DID already pay for the registration, and although it was super cheap (like $35 because it’s a first year event and no one is registering!), it is still money that would go to waste if I don’t run.
26 Comments
I too have struggled with breathing problems and ended up just keeping my inhaler in the pouch of my fuel belt when I thought I might be likely to struggle. I think the most important thing to ask yourself is how you’ll feel if you don’t go and if there are any other consequences of your choice.
Are you going to feel guilty for not showing up? Is the fact that the race is small as a first-year event going to be a factor? Are you happy with just doing the run on your own? Will you get something extra out of the race that you won’t get out of running on your own?
I’ve often second guessed myself before races, but for very different reasons. I always end up doing them, so my vote would be for you to go through with it and just plan accordingly for potential breathing issues. That said, if you are going to be miserable during the race worrying about whether you’ll have an asthma attack and regret doing it afterward, then don’t go.
Weigh your options and go with your gut.
I would go with your gut feeling…if you really think you will have issues that you can’t control on the course…then don’t race. It’s only $35…could be worse! But it could also be good practice on how to handle those issues if they DO come up during a race. Good luck on your decision!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has considered not showing for a race. However, I did a triathlon in May with absolutely no training. I considered quitting, put out a blog post like this asking opinions and heard that I should do it and go at my own pace. I am always glad that I did it(even if it did take me 1:55!!).
You should go with the mindset that it’s a long workout not a race and go at your own pace.
You can read about my experience with no training here: http://bettylivin.com/2012/05/14/swim-bike-done/
I think you should try and then just walk to the finish…you never know what you can do until you try!! YOU GOT THIS!
Suck it up Buttercup (not just because thats one of my favorite sayings), take your inhaler, collect your shirt and bling and finish off the rest at home 🙂 You signed up, if your going to end up running regardless, might as well not waste the money and get it done. Good luck 🙂
I say race, training alone sucks sometimes, you might find a running partner and make the miles melt away and it will be over before you know it.
If you already paid for it, I say do it. Wasting money makes a running angel lose her wings, true story.
I definitely don’t want to hurt any running angels! 🙂
I would totally run it. I’m a sucker for medals and those long runs are mental killers when you are alone. You might have an asthma attack either way, so you might as well be somewhere where you can enjoy aid stations, t-shirts, and bling. I say go for it! Races always have awesome memories for me, whereas lonely runs typically do not.
I agree with many others, go for it! But be prepared in case you have issues. Don’t worry if you have to walk or even DNF. As you said, it’s just training!
this is such a tough decision! i can understand with the trouble you have been having breathing playing it safe…but I LOVE to also sign up for races as my LRs. If you go into it like a LR and just give it a shot…could you take it easy and hope for the best? i know which ever decision you make will be best for you! good luck:)
I have no opinion, do what you’re feeling…but I will say that Colorado is totally being rough on runners this summer! lol
Do it. The only thing holding you back is stopping yourself from showing up. Once you’re there, you’ll feel good about it. I would say listen to your body though, I have never dealt with breathing issues, so I can’t say one way or another on that. I can only speak on motivation and speaking on experience of being lazy sometimes.
I say on’t rule it out completely until the night before the race, or even race day morning. Go with your gut feeling when it comes time for the race. If your gut says don’t race, then listen. There is absolutely NO shame in a DNS. Listening to our bodies makes us stronger runners.
However with that being said, just because you’re “racing” doesn’t mean you have to truly go out and RACE it. No need for a PR if you’re not feeling up to a PR. Do you use a belt or anything while you run? my Fuel Belt is big enough for an inhaler… Might be something you want to look into if you don’t have one already! Definitely great thing to have at races or on LRs when suddenly my breathing issues flare up.
Easy choice tk me… 15 miles… water stops…bathrooms….medical staff…. carry your inhaler thats what my wife has to do then use the race the course the crowd the volunters… thats what i would do… make it a training run.
I say go for it. If it completely sucks…call me, I’ll come pick your butt up! Actually, if I had kept any of my endurance from marathon training I’d tag along, but I haven’t, so I won’t.
Ooh, but there is a 10K option, so maybe I will. I need to get some consistent distance in my life. But now I see the 10K is $60, so nevermind again.
Hows that for a quivering mass of indecision?!
It costs that much now?? There have been tons of discounts via Groupon, etc going around, so you might be able to find one of those. I had a 20% when I registered. Cindy and Craig are both running the 10k if you end up there!
I did some googling and found a few deals…that were expired. I guess I’ll have to hold off on my return to racing. Being a cheap ass really works well with my slacking ways! 😉
I probably would do the race, but I have a friend who DNS’s on a whim. A race is a bigger time committment, and if your heart’s not it in, it may not be worth it. On the other hand, the race vibe may be just the jolt of motivation you need.
Love the swapout of the Sweat Pink laces! Love neon in workout gear!
I’m a Sweat Pink ambassador too (new!) so it’s fun to find your blog!
I would say go for it if you feel up to it! We like to add in some races during training just to keep things fresh. The adrenaline might get to you though and you may end up running it faster than you would on a regular long run (which in my opinion isn’t really a bad thing).
i would say skip it…if you were just being lazy that would be one thing, but asthma is no joke. you shouldn’t do a race just because you feel obligated, you should do a race because you really want to.
I learned something a while ago about ‘Sunk Costs’ that I apply frequently. You aren’t LOSING any money by not running. That money is already gone! Peace out, cash.
So rather than feel bad about the money that’s already gone, think about the value you’d get out of spending your time doing the activity. If you aren’t feeling the race, don’t run. If you feel like giving it a shot, go for it!
My experience with this stuff has been – if you’re not feeling it before you even get there, you’ve got a big hump to get over to enjoy the time. I value my time too much to spend it frustrated at a race I didn’t feel like running in the first place! BUT – I’d wait to decide until the night before or that morning. Who knows how you’ll feel about it in a few days?
(my prediction: you run it :))
Suck it up buttercup 🙂
I think it’s a great way to get in a long run without being alone. You get the course support, feel of the big day, and all that jazz. The only reason I don’t like doing it is that I get in the race mindframe when really, a long run should be run at a relaxed pace, which is hard for me to do when I’m in a freakin race. I think you’ll be great either way, so just see how you feel that morning!
Races help me with speed training, shooting for faster pace and running LR with others is way easier than solo, which I do majority of my training runs myself at 8,800 plus feet near Black Hawk where I live. I am training for my 3rd Full Marathon in a year since November 2011 and races help me to gauge progress. I can only imagine dealing with asthma. I fortunately have lungs of steel living where I live and training here. To each their own.