Let me stop going back and forth with the thought of running this year's NYC Marathon. It's just not happening. You know what? I'm fine with it.
I was somewhat energized because NYRR released the corral assignments.
But after struggling through a four-mile run this morning, I realized that I do not want to struggle for 26.2 miles in and around NYC. It was a little tough coming to this decision because this would have been my sixth consecutive NYC Marathon. Also, I was planning on getting a marathon-related tattoo after completing this race.
In one of my Marathon "support" groups on Facebook, I mentioned that not running this thing is not the end of the world. Surprisingly, I got a lot of pushback from folks saying things like:
It's not a thing; it's one of the best races in the world
It's all about the experience
You have to push and power through
First of all. I don't have to do anything
Last year, I did that whole it’s all about the experience. I think that I even posted a GIF of Jade from America’s Next Top Model doing her “beautiful, wonderful, fabulous" thing during a challenge to represent how I felt coming off of the Queensboro Bridge.
I did the whole “let’s run 13.1 miles and see where the rest of the marathon takes me” for NYC Marathon 2018. Last year (once again), I was coming off of an injuring and flying back from Madrid two days before the race. Do not get me wrong, the experience is unbeatable, but I wanted more out of this marathon. I guess this would have been my redemption marathon. After this morning’s run, I do not feel confident that I can run 13.1 miles in a couple of weeks to the point of even seeing where the marathon will take me. Why risk further injury by doing too much too soon? Also, I will be traveling for work in Hawai’i will return the day before marathon Sunday. By deferring the marathon, I will not have to constantly think about it during my Hawaiian work trip/vacation.
So there it is. NYC Marathon . . . OUT! Wait. Not, 100% OUT. The marathon route goes through my block at Mile 22 so I’ll be out there cheering folks on. I’ll try to keep my hating and FOMO to a minimum.
Looking past NYC Marathon, I do have Madrid’s marathon to prep for.
The hubby checked tickets the other day, and they are fairly cheap right now - $320 RT (JFK <-> MAD). Actually, let me request some PTO in April so I can book the flight. He wants to see if I can take a full two weeks off. Those Europeans and their crazy concept of 2+ weeks of vacation.
For the months of October and November, I plan to do the following:
continue with my dumb PT exercises for my hip that probably will not work.
get a damn handle on my diet. It probably will not hurt to lose a few pounds.
do more strength training and continue with biking, stair climbing, and Zumba for my cardio.
With a combination of these things, I should be able to start training for Madrid’s Marathon (Apr. 26) in early January. Ouch, running in NYC during the winter months. Something else for me to bitch about. Should I add anything else to that list?