It just doesn’t feel like October around here, and that’s probably mostly because for the first time since 2010, I am not in fall marathon training. Last weekend seemed like the first big racing weekend of the season and it hit me that I don’t have my own race on the horizon. Usually it’s Chicago Marathon weekend that gets me inspired and looking forward to my own marathon. So seeing all those amazing PRs left me feeling a little confused. Let’s recap a bit…
My first fall marathon training cycle in 2011
I ran Philly and started training in August. I had just recovered from hip surgery the year before so this was a huge accomplishment for me. Rob and I got engaged in October right in the middle of marathon training. Life was good. I enjoyed every second of that training cycle. (Even when I ran 20 miles in the snow in October.)
In 2012 I was coming back after taking some time off due to a piriformis injury
Our wedding was in November, and we had planned to run the Houston Marathon on our way to Hawaii for our honeymoon in January. I started training at the end of October. It wasn’t the same perfect training cycle as the year before, but I managed to get in all my training runs despite the wedding craziness and winter weather.
2013 was the year I started my blog, so I actually documented most of my training for the Baltimore Marathon
I ran this one on my 30th birthday. This was my earliest fall race, and training throughout the summer heat had me promising I would only run November marathons in the future. Race day was tough- it was warm and humid, and the hills got to me. I still considered it a success even though it wasn’t a PR.
The following year (2014) my fall marathon training was my second round in Philly
I loved training for this marathon, and felt like I had a really strong training cycle. All the knowledge I had learned as I became a running coach was put to good use. My hips caused me a bit of trouble towards the end, but nothing I couldn’t manage. I ran a PR by about 15 minutes that day.
Last fall I was in fall marathon training for Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa
I worked with a running coach for the first time, which helped to keep me on track and stay healthy after battling an injury earlier in the year. This was my first time training for a marathon while living out in the suburbs. The dark mornings were tough, as were the hills. I think this marathon cycle wore on me the most in terms of feeling like it was time-consuming and exhausting. I had started a new position at work and had a longer commute and longer hours. Still, this was a successful training cycle and race that led to a 5 minute PR.
Now, here I am, a year later, barely running 5 miles for my longest run of the week
Somehow I got injured not while training for a marathon, but while running lower mileage and shorter distance races. I couldn’t image training for a marathon this year with everything else that has been going on, but I certainly feel envious when I see others’ successful 20 milers or hear about an amazing PR.
Marathons are alot of work, and I always remind myself of that
I was lucky that I had 5 great years of marathons and I know I will get back there someday. Funny enough, I remember saying in the spring that I didn’t think I wanted to do a marathon this year (before I even got hurt). I am not sure what would have happened if I didn’t get hurt because in 2015 I said I wouldn’t run a marathon and then caught the marathon bug over the summer. I do think this was a good year for a break from it all and I guess we will see what 2017 brings!
- Does it feel weird if you don’t have a race to run during a certain time of year?
- Does seeing other runners’ long runs and races inspire you?
- When is your next race?
You may also like:
Initial Marathon Training Thoughts
A Look Back At January 2015
Rest Now For Success Later
Food Prep, Weekly Meal Plan, and Workout Plan
A Week of Some Running and Lots of PT
A Peek into Cleveland Marathon Training Weeks 1-4
How to Get Out the Door Early for a Run
Closing In On The Finish Line
i remember when you ran the marathon on your birthday! and I remember myself that it snowed in October back in 2011, that was crazy lol. this weekend is the runner’s world festival and Hershey park half. I can’t do either because of the bar mitzvah but it always takes me back to the times that I ran both of those race weekends! one day I will get back to Hershey for that half, it was so fun.
Its such a good time for racing, Im kind of sad to be missing out this year!
I relate since I was feeling that way about a month ago, and after writing a post about it I was over the feeling in about 5 minutes, which means it’s the right decision right now for sure. I really like not having the “pressure” of having to follow a plan every day, even though I enjoyed it and the structure was motivating for me, I don’t think it’s normal or good to live life like that year after year! A break is great and you’ll be back there when it’s the right time.
It’s definitely weird to not be training but then I remember how much more flexibility I have with my weekends and schedule in general and its kind of nice to not be tied to a training plan!
Every year the Chicago Marathon made me want to sign up for a marathon until I finally did. The excitement around it is contagious! I think it is good – whether intentionally or unintentionally – to have a break from the marathon now and then. Something to put reignite the desire to do one and avoid burnout!
That’s definitely true! I think a break is a good thing even though it wasn’t completely by choice.
This is the first year in 5 years I haven’t ran at least a half marathon and it’s really weird for me. I’ve just started back trying to MAKE the time to run with my husband being deployed and I struggled with 2 miles last night, crazy! Watching the Chicago marathon (my first in 2012) definitely inspired me to start running again, and hopefully I’ll do another marathon next year!
Isn’t it weird to think about the difference in fitness from one year to the next? When I see my workouts from last year show up on time hop I can’t believe how much I was running, and now I can barely get through a few easy miles.
This is the first year in 5 years that I haven’t done at least a half marathon (or any races for that matter). I just started back MAKING the time to run this week, and it’s hard getting back at it. I hope to run another marathon next year, and watching the Chicago marathon this past weekend definitely inspired me.
Seeing other runners race is definitely inspiring! I am not sure when my next race will be–probably not until Spring. I want to do a lot of base training over the winter so I can be fully prepared for next year. 🙂
Base building is such a good idea! We all need a break from training and winter is the perfect time for that.
It is cool to look back over your last few years and see the races you’ve done! I used to race a lot. ALL the time. But then as life got busier, I stopped racing so much and just enjoyed the actual running. It used to feel weird to not be racing on (Canadian) Thanksgiving weekend (that’s when the closest Canadian marathons happen) but now I’m okay with it!
I did want to do a few more races this fall but that just didnt work out. It is nice to not worry about training or running a certain distance though!
This = me right now. For the first time in years, I’m not training for anything while everyone else is. But it is good for me… I think…
I keep telling myself its good for me to not do a marathon this year but its still really hard!
I’m sorry you are still struggling with your foot! that really sucks!
You have done so many marathons! and that is fantastic! But healing your foot is most important, and there will always be more marathons!
Exactly! There was no point in trying to train through this- I knew that couldn’t happen. There will be plenty of other opportunities to run marathons.
5 years is pretty darn epic. And I know it feels weird to break tradition, but s=when stuff like that happens to me, I just try to keep my eyes on the bigger picture and remind myself that this isn’t the last year I’ll get to do something, and that there’ll be plenty more chances in the future. For now, I say enjoy the extra rest! 😀
Exactly! Thats what I have been trying to remind myself. And then I remember I can drink wine any night I want and not have to worry about a tough workout the next day:)
This fall had a strange vibe to it, even in the summer. I couldn’t find a race I really wanted to do, not even for fun. We have plenty of races too, but I wasn’t feeling it with any of them.
This was a strange summer and fall- and the last few months have just flown by!
Wow you are so impressive! I love running but have never had the urge to do a marathon. You rock!
Thanks! I used to say I would never do a marathon, until all of a sudden one day that become a goal, and I guess it was kind of addicting!
Breaks are not necessarily a bad thing. Think of it this way, take a break now, so you can come back strong later:) Now that I got my goal race out of the way, I think I will just relax the rest of the season. I may do a race here and there, but I don’t feel the pressure now. I just want to have fun! After all isn’t that why we run in the first place? Even if it isn’t as far or as fast as we would like to.
Thats so true! While I definitely miss marathon training, its also nice to take a break and just enjoy running for fun.
In general I don’t worry too much – since the first 23 years of running for me were ‘race free’. So I never needed a plan or a goal … just running.
But I DO love the Wineglass Marathon in Corning, but since it falls on the weekend of Lisa’s and our older son Danny’s birthdays, I ran it a couple of times but leave the weekend for them. Last year we went into NYC, so I wasn’t even home.
This year we weren’t sure what we were doing, and by the time we knew, then Lisa said ‘you should run’, it was sold out and the wait list was closed. Oh well, no biggie I thought. But on race weekend, with a couple of friends running the full and a bunch of friends running the half … I felt a bit left out.
Maybe next year … or maybe a 50 miler 🙂
I know this weekend will be strange because its the Baltimore Running Festival and I run something there just about every year. I have just bee reminding myself that it will be nice to not have to deal with the hassle of getting to the city on Saturday morning.
A 50 miler would be awesome!
I think all times of year are great for a race, but I don’t think race has to equal marathon. My next race is the New York City Marathon. I feel very ungrateful saying this (because people try for years to get into this race), but I honestly kind of wish I wasn’t running it. I’m not a huge fan of marathons in general and my training didn’t go as planned. I sure would love a nice half though!
Its harder to be excited about a race when trading doesnt go as planned. Hopefully you can just enjoy the experience!
I think the universe sends us signs sometimes, and perhaps you would have caught the marathon bug if you weren’t training. Maybe this fall off is what you need to get back to the marathon next year!
Thats true! I am excited to think about what next year might bring.
It’s always hard when you’re in a different season of life than what you’re used to – but perhaps that means this year you should work to create some new traditions! Just think, you’re not training for a marathon so you have a whole heap of extra time to make memories – right?!
You’ll be back there and training again before you know it, I’m sure! xo
Thanks, you are definitely right! Its been kind of nice to have time to do other stuff besides train.
OMG you trained through out planning your wedding and ran the Houston marathon on your way to your honeymoon. My hats off to you lady!
I totally got this feeling this summer when I wasn’t running races. Too hot in Mississippi but it was really odd to not be training for something. Next up for me Halloween weekend in New Orleans!
Ohhh a Halloween race in New Orleans?! That sounds fun!! Can’t wait to see pictures from that!