I have been consistently inconsistent with my blogging, and it’s time to fix that. I’ll be joining up with My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice and MCM Mama Runs for “Tuesdays on The Run”!
If you could go back and run/train for a race differently, or revisit an epic one just for fun, what would you redo? What would you rerun?
I try very hard not to dwell on the “what ifs.” Going back and agonizing over what could have been is a great way to drive yourself crazy and it’s not productive in the least. But, I’m human and sometimes, I let my mind wander into overanalysis territory.
While I know, deep down inside, that I am probably very much not cut out for the marathon distance and will most likely never go back for redemption, I do wonder a lot about what might have been on this day.
On the performance side, what if I had actually slept the night before? What if it hadn’t rained? What if I hadn’t lost my mind in the Wide World of Sports? Would my time have been better? Would I have felt more accomplished at the finish line?
On the other hand, what if I had enjoyed the day more? What if I had stopped for some character photos? What if I had hopped on Everest when we passed through Animal Kingdom? What if I had crossed the finish line with a margarita from Epcot in my hand? Would the experience have been incredible enough to encourage me to get out there and try it again?
I’m pretty much at peace with my (current) decision to be one and done on 26.2 miles, but I do wish things had gone a little differently that day.
Publix Savannah Women’s Half Marathon & 5K
I was so excited about this race in April. And then so defeated when my hip flexor injury got the better of me a mile into the course. I wanted nothing more than to run the streets of a beautiful, historic city, enjoying the squares and the architecture, absorbing all Savannah had to offer.
Instead, I limped off the course after 3.1 miles in tears, and got myself a big bag of ice as a consolation prize.
This is not how any race should end, ever.
I am hopeful that I am strong enough to get another crack at the entire 13.1 miles on April 8, 2017.
Jacksonville Marine Corps Half Marathon
While this race is for a good cause, it is probably the least favorite course in my personal running history. I have no desire to ever run this event again, but I do wish it hadn’t gotten so deeply within my head.
This was the race where I was probably a little undertrained, under-fueled and under-hydrated. I could have avoided a lot of the physical pain had I taken better care of myself before and during the race, but I was still pretty inexperienced, and an unseasonably hot and humid day with a somewhat later start time got the better of me. It was hard swallowing my pride to finish this one, and I am ashamed to admit that this race instilled a lot of doubt in me. My race confidence is still a little shaky, and I can trace a lot of it back to this day.
If you could, what race would you do over?
Do you leave the past in the past, or dwell on the what ifs?
Ugh that had to be so disappointing to have to quit one mile into the race. I’m pretty good about moving on from less than stellar experiences. I do like to reminisce about the good ones though! I’ve heard SO many great things about Space Coast! Thanks for linking up!
It was pretty demoralizing, especially when I KNEW I could do the distance. At least, I could do it when healthy. 🙁
Space Coast is my favorite. I can’t wait to run it for the fourth time in a few weeks!
Awww, it makes me sad WDW wasn’t a great experience for you. I have had a very bad hot race day experience before and I totally relate…I recently went back and ran the course a few years later to erase that memory.
Having to go out at the start like that would be a very hard thing to go through! I am sure that was a tough one.
Karen recently posted…Run My PR Again ~ Yes, Please!
It’s ok. I think any marathon would have wrecked me, especially the first time. There were a lot of things that I could have done differently and a lot of things out of my control. The point is that I did it, I know I CAN do it, and I’m good. I will still do over runDisney events. Just not the marathon.
Aw, that sucks that you had to walk off after 3 miles. But better to make a smart decision than to make an injury worse and be out for longer. xxoo
And deep down, I know that, but gosh it was awful.
I have ran the Disney marathon three times and none of the times did I stop for any pics, margaritas, or roller coasters. That does sound fun though!
It’s kind of my one regret. I’m not a fast, or even a “good” runner, and I told myself that I wasn’t going to stress out or take it seriously. But then I started, and I forgot everything I promised myself. Which added insult to injury, I think. During the Glass Slipper Challenge this year, I was literally injured, so I stopped for so many photo ops and had a blast. I’m glad I got to do it that way, at least once.
Oh your WDW marathon sounds a bit like mine- but I lost my mind miles 1-8. Ha! I don’t think you always need redemption, but who knows? At least it would be magical and all that if you “had” to go back 😉
Oh, full on tantrum at mile 17. I wanted to pull myself from the course, but the SAG wagon can’t drive to the WWOS track, so I figured I had to finish. I was disappointed, but at the same time… I learned A LOT about myself. And what I can do.