I’m all about summer right now. I’m super excited about what the next few months will bring because I know they will be great. I also know those months will fly by and the next season will creep in.
Fall. Fall marathon. Marine Corps Marathon.
(source)
I’m registered. I signed up on a whim while I was training for the National Marathon. The running/blogging community gets pretty wild over big races. There’s Twitter madness and emails galore.
Almost full.
Only a few spots left.
Eek!
I jumped the gun. I registered.
28 hours later, registration closed and I had a coveted spot at the starting line.
And it’s a spot I no longer want. After much thought, I made the decision to defer my registration for the Marine Corps Marathon. This means, I will not run a fall marathon, but I have the option to run the race in 2012.
There’s no particular reason for not running this race. I’m not hurt or incapable of training. I just don’t want to and that’s a perfectly good reason for me.
Running makes me a runner. Marathons do not. I know what it takes to train for a marathon and if I attempted to train for this race, it would be a half-hearted attempt. It could result in injury, exhaustion, and a miserable 26.2 mile trudge through our nation’s capitol.
To say I am excited would be an understatement. Deferring my marathon registration took a weight off my shoulders. Running brings me great joy and I would hate for it to weigh me down. I love it too much.
I couldn’t be happier! I have some really great events on the calendar:
- Rock ‘N Roll Providence Half Marathon – August 7
- Title 9 Women’s Sprint Triathlon – September 11
- Reach The Beach Relay – September 16-17
It’s going to be an {ontherun} summer!
I wish more races let people defer. It would make planning so much easier for me. I am running the National half marathon in the spring (hopefully) and I couldn’t be more excited
Words cannot describe how happy I am for you. I think this is the smartest decision for you right now and I’m glad you are going with your gut. Running a marathon is no joke and if your hearts not into it, its not smart to go through the motions. Trust me, I’ve done it and its not pretty. I’m determined for us both to run sub 4:10 but it will come at a time when we are both fully prepared for it and I know neither of us are ready to do that this summer.
Which just means more partying and hanging out AND shorter races!!!
PS- I love the line “Running makes me a runner. Marathons do not.” Couldn’t agree with you more.
I can’t wait! We need to make plans ASAP. It’s been two weeks!
Good decision! I ran a race this year that I didn’t want to. It was SO challenging and I was just mentally checked out. Of course, I’m happy I finished and I was proud of myself for doing it, but I will never do that again.
Sounds like a fun summer of running!
[...] Becky’s post about deciding not to run a fall marathon. She writes: “Running makes me a runner. Marathons do not.” I absolutely love that. I think as runners we all get so caught up in racing sometimes and, especially during training, run the risk of losing sight of the real reason we run. Obviously some people are in this game to win it. I am not one of those people — I don’t foresee myself ever winning a race, unless it’s a race to 16 Handles or something. Running doesn’t have to be stressful. When it gets to that point, reel it back in. Becky is level-headed and I so admire her post today. [...]
I love this. Every word of it. You’re such a smart girl and I love that you’re feeling good about your decision. There will always be another race to train for, but if your heart isn’t in it then why bother? You’re going to rock every race you do this year and will obviously look great doing it.
Good decision! Training for a marathon when you heart isn’t in it would pretty much be torture. Plus the race will be there next year. I’m glad they have a deferral option!
You already know how I feel about this, so I’ll just say again – I’m really glad you did what is right for you. You know I’m going to miss you in training, but I’d never EVER want you to train for a race that your heart isn’t in. You have a fun summer of races ahead and I’m looking forward to a fun couple of months with you!!
PS. Did you forget Blessing of the Fleet? You’re still doing that, right??
Oh yes! We are definitely still running the Blessing
becky – i have so much respect for you for making the decision that was right for you rather than pushing yourself to do something that didn’t feel right. marathon training is so much easier when you’re in the right mindset to do it! MCM is an incredible race and hopefully next year you will be excited to run it!
happy first day of summer vacation to you!!!!!
Sounds like you made the right decision. I’m running the Rock ‘N Roll in Providence too! We should do a meet-up the night before or something!
I’d love to do a Rock ‘N Roll Providence meet-up. Good to know you’re running it!
Good for you!! If it isn’t fun right now then I think this is a great decision you made. I’m beginning to learn what a huge commitment marathon training is. I’m going to have to look at my training schedule again .. my body is exhausted all the time!
I am sad you are not running this because you won’t be there with me but I am very happy for you and your choice. I deferred this last year and it was a very hard thing for me to do but it was the right choice. I was not ready, the time was not right. But now I feel like I am. You will feel that to at some point and if you don’t, that is ok too!! Good for you!
Um…I will totally buy your spot from you if it’s available:) If not, I think it’s great you deferred. Sounds like you have a fun summer/fall racing schedule ahead. I’m excited you are doing a triathlon!!!!
I am really excited about the tri! It’s going to be fun to attempt something new. As for the bib, I can’t sell it because I deferred my registration, so it’s actually good for 2012 now.
[...] right? hah!) I want to get a few bike rides in and just really enjoy my exercise this weekend. Becky wrote a post this morning about her decision to pull out of her marathon this fall because well, [...]
Not wanting to is more than a good enough reason, Becky. I think the fact that you listened to yourself and that you feel excited/relieved to not be running it are major signs that you absolutely made the right choice for you. Forcing yourself to train for and run a marathon is not something anyone should do, and there’s no reason to even try to go down that (probably miserable) path!
I totally know what you mean about getting caught up in twitter, blogging, and the excitement of it all that can surround certain races. It’s hard, because it can be such a fun and motivating and positive thing to sign up for races together, but it can also mean we’re not really listening to what we want to do as individuals. I think you are so smart to make this decision if your heart isn’t in it, and I will always support whats best for my friends!
hearing your enthusiasm about the rest of your year and deferring the marathon sounds like you made the smartest decision. enjoy the summer!
[...] http://www.beckontherun.com/2011/06/24/the-fall-decision/ [...]
I may not be on the same scale as you, mileage-wise, but you know I understand, girl! Glad that weight’s gone. Sometimes if you don’t follow your gut, it becomes dreadful.
I can totally relate to this post… I’ve run Chicago the last 3 years and it really feels weird knowing I am not running it this year. Last year’s training was brutal… I was coming off a knee injury and it was so hard to keep on track while not hurting myself again. I literally burned out on running – it turned into a chore – which sucks because I LOVE running. I’m hoping taking this year off will help me get amped for a marathon (hopefully NYC! Year #3 is my luxky lottery year, I can feel it!) next fall!
Awesome decision – truly. You’re totally right – you are a runner and running a race or not running a race does not define “runner.” I’m so glad you feel relieved by the decision – means it was the right one!
“Running makes me a runner. Marathons do not.”
I needed to see this today as I made the decision to defer training for a marathon this past week. This sums it up for me!
[...] can all be summed up by Becky (a great post on her own decision to not train for a fall marathon), who wrote, “Running [...]
[...] I also need to send a huge thanks to all of you for the great support and feedback on my decision not to run a fall marathon. It took me a long time to make that decision, but I know it was right and it certainly helps to [...]
[...] post on the Fall Decision. This is the post Becky tells you why she is deferring her MCM number to next year. This [...]