This past Saturday, I was about 10 sluggish miles into a hilly 15-mile training run for the Charlottesville Marathon when my body pulled me aside and quietly but firmly informed me that if I intended to finish the run, I was on my own. During the 5-mile walk back up Dick Woods Rd., I had a lot of time to think. And it occurred to me that now is the worst possible time for me to be training for my first marathon. In between serving as Mayor of a small city and running a non-profit organization with 22 staff and starting a job search (yes, I've decided to move on from PACEM this summer, more on that later -- see here for the position announcement) and launching a re-election campaign to City Council and raising two kids and occasionally getting together with friends or going out on dates and trying to keep my house clean & yard in order (a losing battle there, alas), I've come to the unfortunate conclusion that trying to find the time and energy to prepare for a marathon is just not in the cards right now. So please forget what I've said publicly about my intention to run the Charlottesville Marathon this year. I am still going to run the Charlottesville Ten Miler on April 4 and I will do the Charlottesville Half Marathon on April 18 but the full marathon is going to have to wait for another time, when life feels a wee bit less like...well, like running 26.2 miles each and every day.
Monday, March 9, 2009
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5 comments:
Sanity prevails. Sounds like a good decision, Dave.
i am just so impressed with all you have done so far, bro!! no need to beat yourself up. i'm sure it will happen in its own time if its meant to be.
Hey, I had to reluctantly bail on the Charlottesville 10 Miler this year after my fourth cold in one season, so I feel your pain.
That said, the Charlottesville Marathon is probably the toughest one you could possibly train for. It's in the winter so the days are sort, and the weather is yucky, plus the course itself is probably one of the more challenging ones in the state. Richmond is in November, and is a great beginner marathon (Although, presumably November will also be a really busy time for you...) The summer runs on Saturday mornings are also just a great way to see some of the most beautiful places in the county. Half Marathons are also a really great option.
So... if you need that extra bit of stress relief and escape that long runs can afford, then feel free to join us this summer! If you're feeling "beat up" then you're probably doing too much too soon, and should back off a little. Make sure you always run at a conversational pace and most of all, have fun. Besides, for many of us the races are really just an excuse for fun training runs.
Thanks Lonnie (and Lani, and Cynthia) -- I appreciate the supportive comments! I may well try the Richmond Marathon in November, and if so I will check back with you about about doing some Saturday long runs this summer.
There will be other races! I second the suggestion for Richmond. It is a fantastic race, and very late in the season, so you don't have to do the bulk of your training in the dog days of summer.
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