Alternate titles for this post:
“One Year, 47 Days Until the 2012 NYCM”
“Learning to Take My Own Advice”
“When the Shit Hits the Fan”
“It’s My Pity Party and I’ll Eat Pizza & Drink Wine if I Want To”
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Last Friday for the first time in weeks during one of many long talks with my physical therapist (turned running coach,turned the voice of reason) I was faced with the idea that the NYCM may not be in the cards for me this year.
My reasons for running this race were to train hard, run hard, run fast, and be done with marathons (except for maybe Boston). I’ve ran marathons just to run them, I’ve experienced the NYCM on injured legs before and neither of those things were my goals for NYCM 2011. My goal was to run the best marathon my body was capable of running.
I’ve always been the first person to be the voice of reason for an injured friend or personal training client. Last week my physical therapist lead me to saying the magic words I didn’t want to hear. You see I have this client, C, who has also been seeing him for a few months for evolving injuries. The magic words were “What would you say to C if she were you?”I replied “I’d tell her that this year isn’t her year. That she should focus on healing, getting strong, and run the race next year.” His next question was “Why don’t you take your own advice?” To which I replied, “I’ll see how my 18-miler goes this weekend.”
I didn’t even run 18 miles this past weekend. The NYRR Fitness Magazine 4- Mile race shed some light on what should have been obvious… the 2011 NYCM doesn’t belong to me. In mid September with 49 days to go until the marathon I should be in the shape of my life, not questioning whether or not I should be racing four miles due to an injury. The object of my fitness affections isn’t to be had this year… but you can..
Call Me the Comeback Kid {Alternative title #5 for this post}
While I have actually wallowed in pizza and wine a bit tonight, this pity party has come to an official end. Facing reality means learning things that need to be learned and being thankful for the things that I have. It also means that the sweetness of a delayed victory is mine to be had.
Let the countdown begin 1 Year, 47 Days Until the 2012 NYCM.
Noooooooooooooo. As soon as I saw the title of your post in my Reader, I had a feeling. You are absolutely doing the right thing. I know how hard this decision must have been, but you are so smart and you are right. I always wish I took my own advice, so it is great that you are recognizing your advice now rather than when it is too late.
I’m not going to lie, it hurts to say it out loud… but I’m looking forward to cheering you on!
Kudos to you for being able to make that tough call, and for having the resolve to go for next year! I look forward to seeing you out there in 2012 🙂
Thank you, Aubrie!
Aawwww I am so sorry, Jess. I know exactly how you feel (i.e. stress fracture and deferred MCM). It totally sucks, but you are being so responsible and smart about your body! I look forward to reading about your awesome recovery and NYCM 2012. 🙂
You are spot on we have to be responsible and can’t just push through injuries. Good luck with MCM in 2012!
Oh no! 🙁 I am sad for you but admire your ability to do the right thing for your body! Go 2012!
I am so sorry. I know that you have been training so hard but you are absolutely making the right decision and it is a braver one then running just because you said you would. Next year is your year and you will crush it.
Thank you! It is a tough call especially when you’ve said it’s what you’re going to do.
tough call, lady. you made the right choice. when it’s right, it’s right, and while you could probably make it happen, it would not at all be the experience you want it to be. it’ll be there next year.
You’re right, I could have made 26.2 miles happen, but it wouldn’t have been pretty and I probably wouldn’t be able to run afterwards for a long time. Also, I can’t do my job if I’m totally injured so that plays a bigger factor than I’d like to admit in deciding to listen to my body.
Oh, these decisions are the worst. I can totally empathize, as I’m on my own comeback tour of sorts right now. Hope you’re feeling better soon. <3
Happy comeback!
Oh Jess! I am so sorry this is happening, but I admire how smart you are being about this. And I know you are going to come back stronger than ever. 2012 will be your year!!
I’m so, so sad for you right now because I know how much it hurts. I’m actually crying. Sad that you won’t be racing it but happy to be by your side cheering this year, and training next year. 2011 just wasn’t in the cards but we will own 2012!!!
Girl, the marathon will be there when you’re ready. Good call. Come cheer with us. Bring cowbells and wildly suggestive signs (“sweat is sexy” “marathoners go longer”) and cheer like a wild banshee with our lululemon cheer station. We’ll cheer you on next year!
This definitely shows athletic maturity. Thanks for sharing this with me, with us. I’m not going to say sorry, because like u said, you’ll go for it next year!
As someone who is also currently marathon training, I know how tough of a choice this is! But I think you are doing the right thing. If your goal is to run your best marathon, this would not have been it, anyway!
you have LOTS of courage and strength to make this (smart!) decision – good job! you will rock it next year and be in even BETTER shape than ever. rest up and speedy recovery!
HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So sorry Jess but your bod & health are more important. What is the injury? I still think you should check out the Hoka One One shoes. My godsend & would not be exercising without them.
Thank you, Jody! It started with a back injury that’s caused other injuries to follow suit.
Oh, hugs!!!!! I know what a hard decision this must have been for you, but if you were questioning racing a four-miler, it’s absolutely the right decision.
And 2012 better watch out, because you’re gonna dominate it.
Jess I know its a tough decision but you are doing what is best for your body! It’s ok to wallow and to feel the disappointment but you are listening to your intuition and what your body needs. Thank you for your honesty!
Sending you lot’s of love and hugs! Yup one year and 47 days until NYCM…
I can only imagine how tough this decision was for you. Listening to our own advice is SO hard, but you are making the right choice. I’m proud of you for listening to your body and you will ROCK 2012!
so sorry to hear this news Jess. The NYC Marathon aint going nowhere, so take your time, stay positive and heal up better and faster so that in 2012 you can really lay down some speed.
I am so sorry Jess. But you are absolutely doing the right thing. You are being responsible for your own health. I cannot even imagine how hard this decision must have been since you have been training so hard. But marathons are not going anywhere. It’s a small comfort right now but 2012 is not that far off and you will kill it then!
Totally admire you for this. I know this must have been ridiculously hard to make such a decision but you’re doing the right thing by your body. You GOT this in 2012!!!
So sorry you won’t be in it in 2011 but THANK YOU for writing this post and continuing to be a leader in the fitness community. Shape up and get psyched for 2012!
Okay, Einat you just made my day. Thank you!
I am so sorry lady…I know how bad you wanted this but I admire you for taking a step back and making the right decision for you. Love ya!
Dear Jess, I am so sorry. I know this could not have been an easy decision. I applaud your courage in making this tough decision.
Sending lots of love & hugs, Patty
Thanks, Patty!
Jess, I’m sorry to hear the news but I’m glad that you have enough respect for your body to know when to stop. Like I always say, you seem to have unbelievable timing as today I had to leave work because my back was aching (a back injury took me out of the 2010 Fitness Half and I’m hoping it won’t do it again for the Diva in 2.5 weeks. However, this time I will take it easy and if this race isn’t meant to be, there will be another!
Feel good. Take care and know you have tons of support and I can’t wait to keep reading about how strong you get as you heal!
Thank you!
So I admit I don’t know the backstory of this but I do is that last year three weeks ago I had to give up Marines Corp and realize that is just was not my marathon. Yes it was hard but in the meantime I took the time off to enjoy life and all the little and big things you can’t enjoy while marathon training. I hope you can do that. And if you feel the need come join us on the cheering lines of NYCM 🙂
I’ll be at mile 24!
This shows tremendous courage and strength of character. You are such an example and inspiration to so many people and it’s wonderful that you are leading by being a positive role model and not killing yourself to make something happen that in the end would be potentially harmful to your body for the long run. I am really inspired by your honesty and your ability to carry on! 2012 will be YOUR YEAR! And, having never cheered on the marathon, I just might join you and Erica to watch DORI go!
Thank you so much! Your encouragement means the world. Yes, please join us!