It's official. I made the decision this weekend. My tiara will have to wait another year. My first half-marathon will have to wait until another day month season, it seems.
With the recent 'creeping crud' that hasn't yet gone away (still waiting on pneumonia confirmation or 'not'), with only 6 days to go 'til the Disney Princess Half, still coughing up my lungs on a daily basis, and still taking meds a few more days, I'm neither physically ready for next Sunday's race, nor professionally able to justify missing an entire week of work and then going out to run my heart (and lungs) out for 13.1 miles.
I finally cried today. Hubby patiently waited while I coughed on, cried on, and generally made a mess of his shirt while he listened to me lament over this lousy situation. Truth is: there will be plenty more races, I know. But the other truth is: after doing much searching today, I found that there are no other half marathons that:
a. Are far enough out past March 7th (a few weeks) to give me time to rest and train (again).
b. Are local enough to travel to without major expense (I'm on a teacher's salary....read: limited $$).
c. Don't happen to fall on a weekend when we already have family commitments.
Result: After training for six months and mentally preparing for this endeavor, it looks like I won't get to run my first half until the fall.
I am more disappointed
than I can even begin to express.
Hubby said to me today while I was wailing, "But you've already earned your 13.1 sticker. You've already run the full distance."
While I agree with him that I've demonstrated that I can 'do the distance,' I'm not yet 'official,' so I don't feel I can claim that prize: a silly sticker for my car. Isn't that the dumbest thing you've ever heard?? The coveted 13.1 sticker.
A huge thank you to everyone for your kind messages, comments, and e-mails... I'm working on getting better and will find a few other races to add to my calendar, since I currently have nothing scheduled. There's a 12K for Earth Day happening in April and a 4th of July Watermelon 5K, both local, and to fill a void they can't possibly fill. So, life goes on. I go back to work Monday. I continue to rest when I can. And I look forward to lacing up my running shoes again very soon.... hopefully in the next few days.
I see from the sidebar, that you guys ran some great races this weekend! YAY for you!!!! Keep running, rockin', and smiling.
Hugs,
Robin
33 Comments.... thanks!:
{{hugs}} Robin. I know you feel bad now, but you want the half to be a good thing, and if you aren't 100%, you certainly can't put forth your best effort.
Sorry about your decision. I am sure that you feel really bad right now. BUT - You need to listen to your body. We are not professional athletes and need to balance our running along with the rest of our lives.
Take it easy and get well. There will be more races.
Aww...bummer. I definitely know that feeling- I just made the decision to not run, but I'm pretty sure I'm still going to go and spectate. If you still want something to do that Sunday morning (and aren't busy obviously) you can cheer on bloggies with me :) But such a bummer, but it will be worth it in the end and you'll get to run a half...hopefully soon! I hope you start feeling better soon
Sorry that you feel so poorly and that you will miss your half marathon. Get better soon and enjoy whichever one you choose to do in the autumn.
I so know what you mean, I am in teh same boat. You are awesome and amazing that you are actually listening to your body!
Oh Robin, that was such a hard decision to make and I've cried on my hubby's shoulder about races and running one too many times...I think they feel useful and needed when we do this! Anyway girl, you need to feel 100% to enjoy every minute of a half marathon so rest up, get well and start planning another race, even if it's not a half. The right half will come along at the right time. Good job listening to your body and being a smart runner and racer!
Big hugs,
meg
It sounds like you made the right decision. I would feel the same way as you and I've cried over much less. Hugs to you. Hang in there!
Aw, Robin, I am so sorry to hear about your decision but 6 days away with your current health is not going to be a happy first 1/2 experience and we want you to LOVE it so that you keep coming back for more. Keep checking the race calendar, you never know what might be looming in nearby land....I always find races popping up around me that I never knew I had. In the meantime, focus on the half in the fall - you'll only get speedier, right??!! And in the meantime, I hope you are feeling better soon!!! 3 weeks it took me to feel 1/2 normal....it's so frustrating and I totally feel your pain! I am so sorry!
Hugs!!!
Jilly
I feel your pain. I've had to cancel at least 8 months of events because of overtraining syndrome. It's so frustrating but I've gotten to the acceptance phase of my grieving now.
Robin, I am so sorry.... I feel bad for you, I know how hard you've trained and how much you have looked forward to this event. I too, am probably going to have to wait another year for my TIARA as well. After the fractured wrist and uncontrollable blood pressure problems for the past 4 weeks, I have not been able to train but just a few short runs. I do not feel prepared. The only way I will do the race is to walk it along side of my primary care doctor.... she may actually do that!!! Feel better soon.
Big Hugs!
vicki
I'm so sorry to hear this and know you must be majjorly disappointed. I think you have made the only decision you could. It is hard to train and then not be able to complete the race. There will be others but I won't blame you if you wallow in your disappointment for awhile. I'm a teacher and back to work today too.
I'm so sorry you had to make this decision. True, there are other races but having your heart set and putting in so much time and training is very disappointing to say the least. The silver lining is that by the time the fall rolls around, you will have built up an excellent base and will exceed all expectations. Running when you're 100% will certainly make your first half a race you will want to remember.
Take care.
I know that must have been such a hard decision. There are many more races out there and you have so much time to do them. You've made the right decision by listening to your body - you need to get yourself well!
I'm sorry Robin. You have to take care of yourself physically to mentally get thru a half. I had to cancel my RNR half in Chicago last year because I sufferred a minor injury a few weeks before it. I wish you the best in getting healthy again.
That must have been such a hard decision to make and I feel bad you are going to have to miss your race. But health comes first, so you did the right thing. Hope you are feeling much better soon!
This is how I felt when we couldn't go to Disney in Jan, because we couldn't afford it. But you know what made me feel better? Continuing to train and work on my mileage. My next half will be even better, I know it! Yours will too! :)
Feel better!
I'm sorry honey, I know how hard you've worked for this but you are doing the right thing for you. There will always be other races and while the upcoming ones may not fill the void, they will help. You have such a strong base that you will PR like no tomorrow at them! Just take it easy and rest up and when I get back from Michigan lets go for a run ok? Love you Momma!
Oh, Robin. (big hug). There will be other races- but I know it must feel just miserable right now. Get well soon, and I'll be looking for you at other events.
Oh Robin...sorry to hear...but there are reasons for every little thing that happens and next year you will be more determined than ever!!! Take care of yourself, feel better and chin up!!!
You are doing the right thing.
That said...it sucks. And I am sorry that you are going through this. I know this decision did not come easy (I have made it myself before and might be again soon) but it IS the right one, just know that!
I have an idea!! I have an idea!!!!
Tall Mom is having a virtual 1/2 on March 26-28th. You pay an entry fee and do a race report and everything. Do that and I really think that makes you eligible for the sticker!!!
So sorry to hear about that, but I think you made the right decision. Take it easy, get well, and just get back on the running wagon when you can. Think of how prepared you will be when you do get to finally run that half.
Oh no, this totally SUCKS! I'm so disppointed for you. But things are meant for a reason so whatever half you run in the future, it will be YOUR half. Get well Robin.
Oh no. So sorry to hear that you had to make that decision. I know how much it sucks. I hope you are able to find another race that might work for you before the fall! Get better soon!
Here is a (((hug))) from NC!
http://rubber7soul.wordpress.com
Aw, I'm so sorry. THat is a huge disappointment!
Aaaawww, how disappointing.
I'm so sorry, I would be very disappointed too. However, you're doing the right thing by listening to your body and doing what you need to do. Maybe there are some shorter races you can focus on in the next couple of months so you still get the racing fix while waiting for the chance to earn your 13.1.
Thanks, you guys, for all your bloggy love and support. You are such an AWESOME group of ladies. I'm so proud to call you virtual friend, fellow runner & blogger!!! :-)
HUGS fromt the Turtle Runner!!
Oh no! I feel so bad that you can't officially run the half this weekend. I definitely think you made the right decision though, because you don't want to race and end up getting sicker. Not sure if you saw it but the AFLAC Iron Girl 15k is next month. Anyhoo... I hope you feel better soon! *Hugs*
Oh Robin, I'm sorry. What a disappointment after all of your hard work! It's better that you don't do the race when you are not at 100 or even 90% - you'd probably be so frustrated at not doing what you know you are normally capable of that it wouldn't be worth it. I feel for you - take care, get well, and put that sticker on your car...you have definitely earned it!
(((Robin))) I am so behind on my reader! I hope you are feeling a little better. I know things look down now but you are doing the right thing. There are other races. I'm sorry :(
Hey Everybody! Thanks SOOOOO much for all your bloggy love and hugs. You guys are awesome, and as I said to one friend, I may be down, but definitely not OUT! :-) I appreciate your stories, too... helps put things in perspective for me.
HUGS to each of you!!
I'm late, but figured I'd throw my sorry in the pot. I know how disappointing that must be. Keep your head up and look toward that next race ... and that sticker!
Winks & Smiles,
Wifey
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