Since going Paleo my family has fallen even more in love with our grill. Paleo and grilling just work well together. The past couple of years I've even been stepping outside my grilling comfort zone more and more. Grilling things I'd never thought to have grilled before and trying new flavor combinations. I have to say I'm pretty thrilled with the results of most of my flavor experiments. In the past I'd never have thought to grill fruit, but it's amazing. Grilling fruit and adding it to traditionally savory dishes? Brilliant. Oh yes, and? New rule: every burger recipe for the rest of forever must contain grilled pineapple. OK, maybe more of a guideline. It's a seriously delicious combination though. This Smoky Grilled Pineapple Burger is always a crowd-pleaser at my house. It's not only Paleo, but Whole30, glutenfree, lower carb, and clean eating friendly. I promise you won't miss the bun! paleo, grilled pineapple burger, smoky
My half marathon is less than three weeks away.
I am not happy with my training thus far.
I set out to run 10 miles this past weekend, and couldn't, or didn't, do it. It was just a rotten run. Not a big deal in and of itself, but I've had many skipped training runs and many rotten runs the past month and a half. Running has become NOT FUN to me in this training! Not a good way to approach running 13.1 miles.
So, here's the thing: I'm considering not running my half the 19th. I'm thinking of focusing on my 5k time for a while, finding my running love again, and trying a half again in a little while.
Not because I don't think I CAN do it. I know that I could finish, but I was running it with a goal of coming in under 2 1/2 hours...that isn't looking likely at the moment. Slacking on my mid-week speed work has been an issue. I've also gained some weight back which makes the whole process feel harder. I have just been hugely off track and have not accomplished what I hoped for this race. I don't like that it has become such a chore, when I've always looked forward to my runs I now find myself looking for excuses and dreading them.
If my goal had simply been to run it, to finish it, there would be no question. But I was running it for a time goal, and training for such isn't fitting into my schedule right now or I'm not fitting it in, either way...what sense does it make to run it?
I want my passion for running back; I don't want another race to be disappointed about, that I feel like I should have, could have, would have done better.
Am I being a quitter if I don't run it? Am I rationalizing, making excuses here? Would you not run a race because you weren't going to meet your goal, your reason for running it? These are the thoughts swirling around my head. Curious to hear your perspectives. Go ahead, give it to me straight ;)
I am realllly opinionated here yet shall keep it brief.
ReplyDeleteFor me it is about my Fitness Mission Statement(cue excitement that trademark is pending? :)).
THE GOAL UNDERNEATH MY STATEMENT may be *fluid* but the overarching mission is not.
so, say, your FMS is to live a long full healthy life and be a role model for your 17 children :) that WOULDNT CHANGE because you decided in this moment its smarter not to do the race.
in fact it might be moved FORWARD by the selflove and selfcare and selfawareness that now isnt your time.
Im not trying to sway you either way----but I do know you are a success either way you choose.
xo xo
carla, who wonders if this in her attempt for brevity loses all meaning :)
I think if you make a committment about doing something - you should be excited about it. If you feel that the spark is gone, then I don't think it's a bad thing that you put it off until you find the spark again.
ReplyDeleteI remember my first 5K. I knew I wasn't ready, really wasn't looking forward to it - and decided to do it because I had "committted" myself. I had such a miserable time - didn't push myself, ended up in so much pain because my body wasn't ready for it...and spent 3 days on the couch after wallowing in self pity. I decided I would NEVER do something like that again.
A couple of months later, I ran another 5K. I was ready that time - excited about it. I finished in great time, had no pain....and so happy that I did it.
I think that you shouldn't think of yourself as a quitter. So you don't run it in 3 weeks...you do what you said. You start finding your passion again, and then maybe in a couple of months - you do it. I think you'll be a lot happier about it - and that's the main goal (in my opinion). Good luck!!
I think you should do it, Kerri! I know you want to beat your goal, but maybe let go of that part of it for this race and just do what you can do. I believe you'll still feel proud that you've done it regardless of what your time is!
ReplyDeleteYou're not quitting if you don't do the race. Running highs are hard to find and you never want to force it. Then it feels like a part-time job. This summer has been very, very tough to keep going in and I've come close a few times to just stopping and backing off my plans.
ReplyDeleteyou're not a quitter in any way shape or form. There are two ideas that come to mind. 1. if you do it and finish and your time isn't great how much are you going to beat yourself up? instead of enjoying that you just ran freakin 13.1 miles? 2. if you don't do it are you going to regret not pushing yourself like you know you can?
ReplyDelete3. Okay I lied, there are lots of thoughts. you don't do the half and instead are excited about enjoying the process again.
you have this, you can do this, no matter which way you choose.
love your heart.
Why don't you it but ditch the goal. Just run it for fun.
ReplyDeleteIn no way, shape or form would you be considered a quitter! If you are dreading it then that is pretty clear indication that you should back off of it a bit. You can always run another half marathon.
ReplyDeleteI just decided to back off my marathon plans, so I definitely know how it feels. Part of me feels like a quitter, but I know I made the right decision and will just try for later after I've had some good training.
Don't let yourself think you are a quitter. You have to enjoy it and if it's not the time, it's not the time. I agree with working on your 5K time and finding the fun in at again. You'll feel tremendously better!
ReplyDeleteIs there something special about the specific goal time you set for this race?
ReplyDeleteIf not, then what is it about this half marathon that makes it special when you run over the finishline?
As mostly everyone else has posted - no, you are definitely not a quitter.
ReplyDeleteI am having the same thoughts about my half this weekend...I really want to break 2:15, but now I'm (to borrow Miz's quote) always thinking "don't dig in doubt what I planted in faith." So I trained (mostly) according to a training profile, and I'm going to try my hardest to do it.
As for you - if you can honestly run the distance and be okay with the time, and not play the "what if" game - then I would run it to get the experience and to get more confidence in yourself. But if you know yourself, and know that you would be unhappy with anything below your original goal....then hold off. Find your mojo. Replan and reattack later.
13.1 will always be there for you. You will hit your time goal. I know you will. :)
"But I was running it for a time goal, and training for such isn't fitting into my schedule right now or I'm not fitting it in, either way...what sense does it make to run it?"
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense to finish what you started. Training for a serious race can be tough, and you're letting yourself off easy if you throw in the towel. I think it's a mental thing: If you give up this time, it'll be easy to give up in the future. Training can be tough, but you stick with it. That's my opinion, anyway. :)
I think that completing a half marathon is an amazing feat that most people never even consider. I think that you should do this one and if you miss your time goal, you can use the experience as a way to prod yourself through your training runs for your next one. Even though I didn't set any PRs or win any medals, finishing my first half was such an amazing feeling! I wish you the best of luck :)
ReplyDeleteBtw... I'm hosting a Fit Friends Friday blog hop. I would love to have you stop by tomorrow and add your name to the list at Fabulous n Free!