I’m taking some time off from marathoning. The last time I took time off, I took an eight year hiatus! Don’t get me wrong, I still ran. Some years I ran races and some years I just ran to run. These are my top 5 reasons why my next race won’t be a marathon.
#1. I want longevity in this sport. I’ve been a runner for 25 years and I want to run for at least the next 25 years. Physical and mental burnout will surely be the end of my love affair if I don’t take a break.
#2. I’m satisfied with my marathon experiences. I’m not sure they can be topped and seeking something even better almost seems greedy. Does that make any sense at all?
#3. I want to set purposeful PRs in other distances. I haven’t raced any distance other than the marathon distance since I went on a quest to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I’ve set a few accidental PRs, but zero of them have been on purpose.
#4. I want to race more often. You can’t race marathons on a regular basis, but you can race 4 mile New York Road Runner Races nearly every time there’s one on the calendar.
#5. Freedom. I need to run when I want to, not run when I don’t want to. Run fast, run slow, run without worry or concern. I need to run just because I want to go for a run, not because I’m following a training plan.
I want to run a tenth marathon and I know which marathon I want to run as a celebratory number ten but, I’m going to wait awhile. How long? I don’t know.
Krysten says
Love reason #1. I have recently had to take a little bit of time off of running and it’s hard to not run after work, run on a beautiful fall weekend day, etc. but I keep going back to this reason (:
Nicole says
What about a half?
Jess says
Sure! I’m just not going to run 26.2 for awhile! I completed 5 marathons in 16 months, so I need a break!
Allie says
I totally get this. I haven’t run a marathon since 2007, and, you know what? I haven’t missed them. I run 10+ races a year and now I’m getting into more duathlon and triathlon and my body loves it. Will I run 26.2 again? Absolutely, but it will be on my terms! Long may you run Jess!
Jojo @ Run Fast Eat Lots says
That’s great that you are focusing on other distances to prevent burnout. And it keeps things interesting
MaryEllen@HealthBalanceHappiness says
I totally hear you about #5. I am not a marathoner but when I was training for my half I felt like I HAD to run and stick to my training plan instead of running because I want to.
Holly says
All of these are great reasons not to run a marathon until you feel ready to. After my first marathon in June, followed by some other racing through the summer, capped off by a half marathon in October, I have to say that #5 resonates with me. I am loving the freedom of no training plan! I am a pretty scheduled person so in the past it has also scared me a little not to have a plan. But now I realize that I DO have a plan – it is to run and to stay healthy.
The Wanderlustings says
You’re inspiring us to want to try a marathon!
Xo
The Wanderlustings
http://www.thewanderlustings.com
love tarot online says
That is a great ttip especially to those freesh to the blogosphere.
Brief but very accurate info… Maany thanks for
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