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Nov 11, 2014
All Posts· Training Diaries

5 Reasons My Next Race Won’t Be a Marathon

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?

I'm looking forward to more fun runs and less stress about running 20-milers!
I’m looking forward to more fun runs and less stress about running 20-milers!

#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.

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Comments

  1. Krysten says

    November 11, 2014 at 1:21 am

    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 (:

    Reply
  2. Nicole says

    November 11, 2014 at 1:31 am

    What about a half?

    Reply
    • Jess says

      November 11, 2014 at 1:41 am

      Sure! I’m just not going to run 26.2 for awhile! I completed 5 marathons in 16 months, so I need a break!

      Reply
  3. Allie says

    November 11, 2014 at 11:06 am

    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!

    Reply
  4. Jojo @ Run Fast Eat Lots says

    November 11, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    That’s great that you are focusing on other distances to prevent burnout. And it keeps things interesting

    Reply
  5. MaryEllen@HealthBalanceHappiness says

    November 12, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    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.

    Reply
  6. Holly says

    November 14, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    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.

    Reply
  7. The Wanderlustings says

    November 26, 2014 at 10:54 pm

    You’re inspiring us to want to try a marathon!

    Xo
    The Wanderlustings

    http://www.thewanderlustings.com

    Reply
  8. love tarot online says

    May 8, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    That is a great ttip especially to those freesh to the blogosphere.
    Brief but very accurate info… Maany thanks for
    sharing this one. A must read post!

    Reply

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I'm Jess Underhill, a certified run coach and freelance fitness writer. I experienced my first runner’s high when I was 13 and it had a profound impact on how I saw myself and this world. My mission in life is to help people chase down their personal bests and crush their goals so that they too, can change their perceptions. Read More…

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