The Post I Did NOT Want to Write

I know I've been MIA for a few weeks.  This is a running blog, so when I'm not doing much running, the blog becomes pretty boring!  (For the most part I choose not to blog about the rest of my life here - my blog, my choice.)

According to TrainingPeaks "This is week 11 in training. After this week, race day will be five weeks away."  After a ton of thinking, walking, running, and limping, I finally decided that I am not going to run the Honolulu Marathon this year.

Sigh.

I really did not want to write that for many reasons.  I am not a quitter.  I am not usually a negative person.  I don't want this blog to be a downer, but this is my current reality.  Emphasis on current.  I will continue hoping that things will turn around soon, but with only six weeks until marathon day what I am is a realist.  I have run a total of TWO 10 milers and nothing any longer.  My second 10 miler was on October 1st.  My longest run since then is just over six miles.

I've been going back and forth on this for weeks, but I finally decided to give it up this year.  Friday night at dinner I talked it over with Les.  He was completely supportive.  Not one guilt trip from him.  I've had a ton of emotions about this but when I made my final decision the greatest emotion was relief.  I've been running with a lot of pain for several weeks now.  I also can't seem to find any enthusiasm or the mental strength to keep pressing through.  The stress I've been putting on myself has not been worth it this time.

I've run four marathons so I know how much work goes into both the training and actual race day.  I might be able to walk the distance, but I really don't want to spend all day out there!  If there was a half marathon option I would try to train for it, but the only other thing that have that day is the Race Day Walk which is a 10k.  I might do it, depending on how I'm feeling.  We'll be here in Hawaii that day, so I'm leaving that option open. 

I ran/walked this morning and somewhat composed this post in my head.  I thought about elite runners who do this for a living.  I can't imagine the pressure they live with trying to compete at the highest level.  Trying to keep sponsors and coaches happy.  It's no wonder there are tears when they don't make the Olympic team or fall way off the pace mid-race.

Running is not my job.  It's something I started doing 20 years ago to improve my health.  It turned into something I really enjoy.  I did not run my first race until 2012.  That's a lot of years of running without racing.

We fly home tomorrow and I will be able to go cycling again.  California has even gotten rain in the past week which means our trail is going to be fun for both running and mountain biking.  I'm ready to enjoy some no pressure activity.

So there it is, the post I did not want to write.  But let me leave you with something funny...

Why did the free range chickens cross the road?

I still don't know why, but at least they were in the cross walk!