Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Letting the Cat Out

I have some unfinished business.  Business that I need to take care of, sooner rather than later.  See, I had big hopes for myself this year.  I had goals and times that I wanted to meet and worked hard for months on end.  When Long Beach came, I knew it wasn't my time to shine.  I knew it wasn't my day.  And being the smart runner that I am, I set my sights on something new.  Maybe I had this in the back of my mind the whole time - maybe not.  Maybe I set myself up to fail before I even gave myself a chance.  Who knows?  What I did realize though, is that I still want to achieve my goal of hitting a low 3:30 in the marathon before the year is up.

The night before Long Beach, when I decided not to run the full, I had made up my mind.  I formed my plan and took the steps to put it into action.  I couldn't wait to finish that race, drive home and hit register on something new.  I knew all along which race was calling my name.  I haven't talked about it here yet because I was still forming my own thoughts and ideas of how this next race will play out.  I don't want any added pressure put on myself and with that I have spent the last couple of weeks working on my head.  See, I know I built it up way too far in advance for myself (I just don't do well with LONG training plans).  I talked the talk, but when it came down to it, I couldn't walk the walk because I scared myself shitless.  This time, I wanted to be sure, I wanted it to be the right decision, and I'm finally excited to see what I have in me.

So, when I got home from Long Beach, and had a nice long chat with the hubbs, I decided to register for C.I.M. - the California International Marathon on December 5th.  Yes, that is the race where I chickened out at the start last year because it was so dang cold!  But not only was it frigid out, I was also burnt out.  I had just raced 3 marathons and a couple of halves in the mater of just 8 weeks before that.  I was done racing.  This year though, come frigid temps or pounding rain...I will be at that start line to take home my own marathon victory.


I thought about not sharing this on here.  I thought about posting about it maybe the Friday before?  But that is not me, that is not what my blog is about.  Honesty is the best policy, and I know you are all super supportive.  I've re-worked a training plan for the next 6 weeks and am doing some tweaking in my diet and my cross training.  I want to give myself everything I have before I toe the line so that there will be no excuses.  Also, the hubbs will be at the finish line; above all, no matter what happens that day, that is most important to me.

I also want to announce...I didn't even attempt to register for Boston on October 18th.  Nope, didn't eve open the BAA website.  I had also made that decision that weekend.  It was hard not to, and for a bit I was sad.  But when it closed the very same day, I knew I had made the right decision for me.  I will be sad I won't get to meet many of you come April, but I have other plans to work on next year.  Bigger things that I want to do.  Boston is awesome, I will get my redemption race in 2012.  I do plan on running NY marathon if I get in (any help on this is greatly appreciated!), or maybe even possibly going the charity route to ensure I get in.  That will be my big destination race next year - and I'm excited!

So, I've spilled the beans, let the cat out of the bag, told you all where I'm at and where I'm going.  Phew, I feel better!  My head finally feels like it is screwed on tight and I can put one foot in front of the other as I count down the days until December 5th!  Thanks again for all your support! 

Have a great Tuesday!
Happy Running peeps!

27 comments:

Teamarcia said...

WooHoo go out there and rock CIM! Boston will be there when you're ready to return. I am hopeful for NYC as well...wouldn't that be cool?

RunToTheFinish said...

yeahhhh i love hearing the excitement back in your running talk! I think there is no reason to feel like you HAVE to do boston, though you are one lucky peach to have qualified again

Heather said...

How exciting, you are going to do awesome at CIM! I would love to run NYC, what a fun race.

Layla said...

Wow, so many people will be at CIM! I'm toying with the idea of officially volunteering, though I don't know where I'll be living at that point. If I'm around, though, I'll be cheering for you! I have the best "stand out in a crowd" scarf for it. :-)

For New York, you could try to run a 3:23 to qualify... Yes, I'm evil and putting crazy ideas in your head.

L.B. said...

You're going to rock CIM! That sounds like a fun course and hopefully the weather will cooperate. Regardless, it seems like a shorter training cycle is what's best for you, and that's what is in front of you.

I'm excited to follow along your training and cheer you on (from SoCal) as you conquer Sacramento!

MCM Mama said...

CIM sounds like the perfect choice for you. Glad hubby will be able to be at the finish.

If you end up going the charity route for NY, make sure you let us know.

Layla said...

Me again, with another thought about New York: You could also qualify with a 1:37 half-marathon time. I just looked at your race times, and you beat that last year! You could totally get into New York then! I'm about 75 percent sure I'll run it (I deferred, so I just have to pay the pricey entrance fee again), and I think some other Bay Area people are doing it, too.

ajh said...

Sounds like you thought it all through! Good for you.

Book Worm Runs said...

Sounds like you have thought it out and you feel confident in your decisions!! That is great!! You are going to do awesome! :o)

Ewa said...

They say CIM is one of the best BQ-ers. Good luck and hopefully the weather will cooperate this year.

Michelle Simmons said...

I totally know what you mean about giving yourself a reason to fail before you even start. I think a lot of athletes do that actually... it's like a safety mechanism of some sort? Because it can be quite scary to toe the start line knowing you have no excuses... because then if you don't make your goal, well, the only excuse is that you're just not good enough, and nobody wants to think that! But even with that risk- the one of just not being good enough- I think it's better to prepare yourself the very best you can and get totally ready, mentally as well as physically, and then be ready to go to the well on race day and get it done! YES!

That said, CIM was my first marathon and it was cold and rainy and windy and just flat out uncomfortable! So prepare for the worst with this one! It's a fast course though so that's in your favor! :)

Jill said...

Have you looked into the NYC qualifying times? You can qualify with half marathon and you may have already done so. Just a thought.

I'm excited for you for CIM - so wish I could be there with you running. Hopefully in 2012 we'll tackle Boston and get that revenge race checked off together!!

I'm sitting in a little internet cafe in NM writing you... :)

HUGS!!!!

Walt said...

I think I remeber posting about your cold decision last year. Seems you will do will at CIM.

Anonymous said...

I think you will feel better now that you have been honest- cause you are so right, honesty is the best policy.

I am sad I won't meet you in Boston but if you know it was the right decision, than that is all that matters.

J said...

Hopefully the weather will be good for you this year at CIM! So exciting!

Marlene said...

I knew you must have had something up your sleeve! ;) Sounds like this will be a great race to SHINE! I know all the Cali girls seem to love it. :)

Emily said...

How exciting! I really, really wish I was healthy so I could come run it too! I can't wait to see how much you rock it!

Anonymous said...

NYC is amazing!!!! I loved that race :) I will be running the relay at CIM, so I will be there at the finish cheering you girls on! :)

Jo Lynn said...

Thanks for sharing. ;)

teacherwoman said...

Yay for CIM! You go girl!

LAPT said...

Sounds like a great plan to me. GOOD LUCK!!!!

Denise said...

sounds like a great idea to me!! the next few weeks will tune you right up and you'll be ready to go come dec 5th! i'm glad you're going for it this year, and decided to share it with us.

diet i can tweak, cross training I can tweek. but i wonder if i'd do any better if i didn't have my wine on saturday nights...yea, i'll never find out!

Bethany + Ryan said...

awesome! good luck! when i ran 3:29 i did it in a Nor'easter!!! Last week i thought i'd have no trouble hitting 3:28 but ended up with a 3:34, i think running in a nor'easter helped bc my body went into survival mode, it was either ran faster or die on the side of the road. you'll get it!

Angela and David said...

That's great you are doing CIM! I've heard great things about that race. A few of the women I trained with this summer have actually been targeting CIM all year as the race they'd go for sub 3 and a few of them are targeting OTQ times. If you see any fast women from Illinois (and they likely won't think it's cold there!), go say hi!

Kristen said...

Yay CIM! I will see you out there whether I have to beg, borrow or steal a bib (I am still so annoyed!)

You run these races and set these goals for yourself and I am glad you are confident enough to make smart decisions for you. There will always be another Boston, Long Beach to run. Glad you went with your instinct and I know you will rock CIM.

Jess said...

You're gonna KILL CIM! And, passing on Boston in 2011 sound slike the right choice for you. I'm sure that NYC will be a killer experience instead!

Christina said...

It sounds like you are all ready and committed. Now get out there and run!